March 3 In the Press

Stories of old to be revealed at launch of community project in Markethill

By Eleanor McGillie

AN online facility depicting stories and pictures from years gone by will be officially launched on Friday night (MARCH 7) in Markethill giving the community full access to memories which have shaped the future of the district.

‘Bygones & Byways’ is an online community project which is funded by SOAR and Markethill District Enterprise (MDE) and is designed to bring communities together through storytelling and to encourage people living and working in the district to submit their memories and photographs.

The website, www.bygonesandbyways.com, has been revisited 10 years after it was first created because of the high volumes of content contributed over the years from local people and historians.  It brings together a written record from published and unpublished sources, new and old photographs and map references for all townlands and there are also recordings of what it was like to live and work in times gone by right up to the present day.

The facility will be officially launched by John Hamilton of Causeway Museum Services in the Courtrooms Restaurant in the Old Courthouse. Mr Hamilton will be joined on the night by Adrian Mallon who designed the website, Willie Johnston, Alison Strong and other representatives of MDE alongside all members of the public who are invited to attend at 7pm.

Mr Hamilton said: “Our local landscapes, both physical and culturally, contribute hugely to who we are. Much of the wealth of our local identity is carried in the hearts and minds of our neighbours, it is vital to capture these priceless stories for ourselves and for future generations.”

Speaking about the website, Mr Mallon said: “The site has almost 1,000 web pages which include information useful to those tracing their ancestors, to school-children doing local history projects, and to anyone wanting to find out more about the whole area or seeking insights into country life in Ulster past and present.”


ENDS:

 

Notes To Editor:

  • Bygones & Byways is a community project which is funded by SOAR and Markethill District Enterprise. It will be fully accessible to people at the Courtrooms Restaurant in The Old Courthouse, Markethill. The project will be officially launched by John Hamilton of Causeway Museum Services. The launch event is a public event so is open to all.
  • For further information contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379 | www.mgmpr.co.uk | Armagh PR | Public Relations Northern Ireland | Public Relations UK | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | Brand Journalism UK | Brand Journalism Experts

Tags: , , , , , ,