Memories of the Bannfoot Ferry, which took many friends, neighbours and families across the River Bann, will be evoked during a special evening to commemorate its value and importance.

There will be a screening of “The Bannfoot Ferry” by filmmaker Colm Laverty which explores a documentary made about the ferryman in 1967.

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Colm Laverty's documentary on The Bannfoot Ferry. A special screening is to be held at Maghery Community Hall on October 30 at 6pm.

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"Boatman, Do Not Tarry," a Ulster Television drama, was shot near the filmmaker’s hometown of Maghery, on the southern shore of Lough Neagh.

Many from this community were regular passengers on the ferry travelling to visit family and friends in Derrytrasna and Lurgan.

The UTV drama, which was locally produced, was broadcast across the ITV network in 1967.

“Boatman” is significant not only for its unprecedented scope and ambition, but also for its similarities with numerous political and social tensions seen at the beginning of The Troubles, mere months after its network broadcast,” says Colm.

"Exploration into the cultural and social circumstances surrounding “Boatman” unveils a remarkable, continued shared history between the broadcaster and the Bannfoot Ferry, the country’s last remaining hand-operated river raft on the River Bann, which helped inspire the drama."

Playfully combining archival materials with interviews from local residents, archivists and social historians, many parallels are drawn between the world depicted in “Boatman” and current events in contemporary NI.

At this event to commemorate the importance of The Bannfoot Ferry to the local communities, there will be local archive footage and discussions as well as viewings of both the documentary by Mr Laverty and the UTV drama.

It will be held in Maghery Community Hall on Friday, October 30 6pm to 10pm.