£32k for history and roots in Enagh

A NEW archaeology and local history project has been launched in Strathfoyle following the successful application for a grant of £32,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Enagh ‘Young Roots’ project was set up after months of hard work by members of Enagh Youth Forum.

It started with an audacious attempt to invite Channel 4’s Time Team to Enagh Lough to help in a quest to unearth as much information on the history of the Lough as possible.

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Now a grant of £32,200 has been awarded through HLF’s ‘Young Roots’ Grant Programme.

The project will help young people in the area learn more about their local history and archaeology, in an enjoyable and interactive way.

A spokesperson for the forum explained: “This project has the backing of a number of other organisations including Derry City Council, City of Culture, and partners Libraries NI, The Beam Centre, Maydown community Association and St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School.

“The expertise of Templemore Archaeology was used to assist with the launch and delivery of this project.”

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Martin McCartney, Chairperson of Maydown Community Association said: “Its projects like this that can link generations and its great to be involved in this partnership project; it dovetails neatly into the ongoing work of MCA which to date has produced two living history book publications working in partnership with local groups in Strathfoyle, Yesteryears and Maydown Memories.

“The Enagh Young Roots Project is a unique project involving young people exploring the history and archaeology of Enagh. We are all really looking forward to what we know will be a very exiting next twelve months.”

The project promises to be a voyage of discovery for the young participants who will go on this historical journey, which will explore the ice age, Neolithic, early monastic, the Ó’Catháins and right through to World War II.

Whilst this journey of discovery will be located in the past, it will essentially bring the past into the present and back to the history on their doorstep at Enagh and all young participants will gain an Open College Network (OCN) accreditation and showcase their learning through an end publication.

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Martin McDonald, Committee member for Heritage Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to support such an innovative project. It has sparked a real interest from the young people in exploring their heritage. They will not only become more knowledgeable about their past but will learn new skills which will help equip them for the future.”