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www.discovernorthernireland.com/niea
This year our Archaeology Days month also includes specially coordinated activities for the City of Culture 2013 celebrations in Derry~Londonderry. We invite attendees from all over Northern Ireland to learn, explore and celebrate the city’s rich and fascinating heritage, and contribute to the year’s themes of exploration, and the joyous celebration of this very special month.
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‘Defences of Culmore’ at Culmore Artillery Fort, – a walking tour: Sunday 2nd June, 12 – 2pm Explore the history of this important artillery fort by taking a tour with Manus Deery, a principal conservation architect within NIEA. Learn about the evolution of the site and how its military function influenced the surrounding area and the importance of the fort during the 1689 Siege of Derry. The tour is free but booking is essential. The tour will last for 1 ½ to 2 hours. For more information or to book a place, contact 028 9054 3188 WWII Archaeology Day at Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Sunday 2nd June, 11am, 2pm & 3.30pm Investigate the remains of Beech Hill Camp, one of 10 sites across Derry/Londonderry that made up the US Navy’s Base One Europe 1942-44. Prizes will also be given out for the best costumes and most interesting photographs taken on the day. Organised by the Beech Hill US Navy & Marine Corps Association with support from the Holywell Trust, Faughan Valley Landscape Partnership & the Heritage Lottery Fund. Free guided tours with an archaeologist and historian will depart at 11 am, 2pm, and 3.30 pm, some of which will require woodland walking footwear and clothing. For more information contact 028 7134 9279
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‘The book of Kells, the great glories of Western art’ at the Tower Museum, Book launch and lecture, Wednesday, 5th June, 6pm James Joyce claimed the The Book of Kells is “the most purely Irish thing we have”, yet the book may well have been created in the late 8th century on the island of Iona in Western Scotland, where a monastery had been founded by Colmcille. A new acclaimed edition of the Book of Kells by Bernard Meehan, Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College Dublin, offers new insights into its history and iconography; join him for a special illustrated talk on one of the great glories of Western art. Free admission, for more information contact 028 7137 2411 ‘Colmcille: His Life and Legacy’ at the Tower Museum, Book launch and lecture, Thursday 6th June, 7pm Brian Lacey’s new publication looks at what we can know about the real figure of Colmcille, and distinguish him from the wonderful yet fictional character which was emerged from the stories that have developed over the last fourteen centuries. The book also draws on the astonishing amount of textual and archaeological scholarship relating to the saint that has appeared in the last fifteen years or so. Free admission, for more information contact 028 7137 2411
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Excavation with living history at Prehen House, Friday 7th, 14th, 21st June, 2 - 4 pm & Saturday 22nd June, 12 – 4pm This exciting excavation will be open to the public every Friday during June so that everyone will have the opportunity to find out what the archaeologists are discovering. On Saturday 22nd June, from 1 – 4pm, visitors will also have the added bonus of meeting one of Prehen’s earliest residents from the 17th century, who will tell stories of the characters who lived at this Plantation house over the years, and the events that took place there. Free admission, for more information contact 028 9054 3030 The Return of Colmcille to Derry~Londonderry, Friday 7th & Saturday 8th June, throughout the day Taking place over two days, the city of Derry~Londonderry welcomes Colmcille home with a series of displays, processions and pageants. Watch as Colmcille meets characters from the city’s rich history and discovers how this once, small settlement has developed into a thriving cultural hub. Plus, see Colmcille do battle with the Loch Ness Monster! For more information contact 028 7131 0560 Coastal Churches – a bus tour of medieval and post-medieval church sites, Saturday 8th June, 10am – 5pm.
Eglinton and Enagh. While some of the churches on our tour were built to serve the newly-established Plantation villages (as at Ballykelly and Eglinton), others may have had a more ancient past. The tour will depart from St Columb’s Park at 10am. The tour is free but booking is essential, for more information or to book a place, contact 028 9054 3188 Meet the 1800s Soldier of Martello Tower, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June, 1 - 5pm Take the opportunity to see inside this, one of the few surviving Martello Towers. Find out about the soldiers who guarded the mouth of the Foyle against invasion by Napoleon between 1812 and 1817. Enjoy the view which includes its twin in Greencastle, Co Donegal and it’s setting in Magilligan Point Nature Reserve. Free admission, for more information contact 028 7772 2074 ‘Columba Canticles - Four centuries of song’, at St Columb’s Cathedral, Sunday 9th June, 7.30pm Featuring the choirs of the Universities of Ulster and Aberdeen combined with the London Southbank Sinfonia, this promises to be a joyous and memorable occasion. Using song to tell the story of Derry~Londonderry’s rich history, this unique experience is not to be missed. For more information contact 028 7126 8027
Scattered across the northwest region are dozens of historic church ruins ranging in date from the early Christian period right through to the 19th century. This tour will explore a select number of these sites including Downhill, St Aidan’s, Ballykelly, 26 A
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Marks of Time - The Buildings of Derry~Londonderry at the Playhouse Theatre, 10th - 18th June 9.30am - 9pm daily
An Archeology Day tour of Derry City’s Walls with Ruairi O’Baoill, Saturday 15th June, 11am & 2pm
Manus Deery from the Historic Buildings Unit of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, provides a personal contribution to the ‘City of Culture’ with this exhibition. This unique showing illustrates the development of the city’s architecture over time through 72 watercolour sketches, supplemented by brief explanatory notes. Today’s city is a complex place, influenced by its site, available materials and local traditions, yet displays influences from ideas across the world. It is a city with places of great beauty, and a robust character making it a city to be proud of.
Tour the historic city walls of Derry with Ruairi O’Baoill, archaeologist with Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s University Belfast, and author of “The Archaeology of Derry City and its Environs”.
This exhibition is sponsored by Derry City Council’s Heritage and Museum Service, and by The Inner City Trust and The Honourable Irish Society. Entry to the exhibition is open to the public and free admission. for more information contact 028 9054 3030
‘The Archaeology of the City’ Northwest Archaeological & Historical Society Lecture at the White Horse Hotel, Friday, 14th June, 7.30pm Roy Hamilton of the Northwest Archaeological and Historical Society explores the archaeological heritage of the city of Derry~Londonderry and its environs.
Meet at Tower Museum, Union Hall Place. Tours will last between 11/2 and 2 hours. This tour is free but booking is essential, for more information and to book contact 028 7137 2411 The ancient lanes of Prehen – a walking tour of the Prehen Estate, Sunday 16th June, 1 – 3pm The Prehen estate, established in the early 17th century, has remained one of Derry~Londonderry’s most enigmatic properties. Led by George McLaughlin of the Prehen Historical and Environmental Society, this tour explores the estates ancient lanes and historic buildings. Sneak a peek at the community dig and see what archaeological secrets are being uncovered. The tour is free but booking is essential. The tour will last for 1 ½ to 2 hours, for more information or to book a place contact 028 9054 3188
Free admission, for more information contact 028 9054 3188
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Roe Valley Country Park (RVCP), Cultural Leap! Sunday 16th June, 12 – 5pm Come to a cultural celebration at Roe Valley Country Park from ancient myths, through recent history to the present parkland! You will be welcomed by ‘Sir Thomas Phillips’, transported from the 17th century and promenading in the Park to survey his land, and hear of how he built his house, bawn and the village. There will also be an illustrated talk on the myth of ‘the Leaping Dog’, cultural craft demonstrations such as weaving and tanning, and guided walks around the historic sites within the park with the opportunity to see inside the Powerhouse, the first commercial hydroelectric plant in Ulster. Lively music and dance will complete the afternoon‘s entertainment. Circular courtesy transport from Limavady – RVCP – Dungiven- RVCP – Limavady.
Causeway and Mid-Antrim Museum Services, 1613 - 2013 Cultural Fusions Project Bus Tour, Saturday 22nd June, 10am - 5pm As Limavady celebrates the 400th anniversary of its town charter, Causeway and Mid-Antrim Museum Services are offering a tour, funded by European Union’s PEACE III Programme, exploring archaeological evidence from the 17th century. Led by archaeologist, Nick Brannon, this bus tour promises a revealing exploration of sites in the Roe Valley and beyond, where remnants of the period are all around us, but often lie hidden. Tour departs from the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre/Ionad Ealaíon agus Cultúir Ghleann na Ró, Main Street, Limavady at 10am. Free admission but booking is essential, For more information or to book a place, contact 028 7776 6050
For more information contact 028 7772 2074
Meet the Soldiers of the Siege at Siege Windmil, Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd June, 1 – 5pm
Roe Valley Country Park (RVCP), Unveiling of the new ‘Leaping Dog’! Monday 17th June, 2pm
A unique opportunity to visit this impressive monument and learn about its important role during the 1689 Siege of Derry. Meet the Jacobite soldiers who supported the Catholic King James II, who seized the windmill in the late 1600s. Learn about the types of weapons the soldiers would have used, and listen to tales of how they would have survived on meagre food rations during the 105 days of the Siege.
A Leaping Dog sculpture commissioned by Limavady Borough Council and created by Maurice Harron will be unveiled just outside the Dogleap Centre. After, there will be a talk on the history and legends associated with the park by expert historians Prof Audrey Horning & Terence ReevesSmith of the NIEA, in the Green Lane Museum. Free admission, for more information contact 028 7772 2074
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This windmill is located in the grounds of Lumen Christi College. Free admission, for more information contact 028 7136 2595
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Create prosperity and well being through environment and heritage excellence. Northern Ireland Environment Agency Klondyke Building Cromac Avenue Gasworks Business Park Lower Ormeau Road Malone lower Belfast BT7 2JA T. 0845 302 0008 www.doeni.gov.uk/niea Historic Building & Monuments Waterman House 5-33 Hill St Town parks Belfast BT1 2LA T. 028 9054 3095