Rowallane and Slieve Croob twinning group in the picture with busy events programme

Rowallane and Slieve Croob twinning group in the picture with busy events programme

15 March 2023

THE Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group is continuing with its busy programme with more events in the pipeline.

In early December, there was a visit to the Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy and a tour of the famous man’s homeland, with Janet Clarke providing some background information on the coach journey, playing readings of Seamus Heaney’s better-known poems.

The exhibition at the Home Place took members of the cross-community twinning group on an inspiring exploration of Seamus Heaney’s life and literature. 

They were able to view a carefully curated collection of poetry, photographs and stories which guided them to his formative years in the Bellaghy area, to becoming one of Ireland’s greatest writers.

After a delicious lunch of homemade soup and sandwiches, the group was joined by Eugene Kielt, a local tour guide and Seamus Heaney specialist before visiting locations, which held great significance for Heaney, with members were able to link locations, landscape and literature to him.

Heaney’s roots were in the Bellaghy area and many of his poems are equally rooted in these places. 

Throughout his career, he regularly drew upon the loughs, rivers and bogs he visited in his formative years which included Mossbawn The Forge, The Strand at Lough Beg, Bellaghy graveyard – the poet’s final resting place — and Toomebridge, Magherafelt, Moyola River, Lough Beg and Bellaghy Bawn

Many of these places remain unchanged and unspoilt since the time Heaney wrote about them, allowing you to see them for yourself through the poet’s eyes.

At the end of January, the twinning group held an informal evening of cultural entertainment.

Kathleen Lyons, assisted by Violet Hawthorne, made traditional soda bread on a griddle and throughout the evening, guests learned about the short, but significant life of the Scottish National Bard, Rabbie Burns who is recognised the world over for his work focusing on universal themes of love and nature.  

Joyce Gibson brought to life some of the songs of Burns, playing the guitar and singing Ae Fond Kiss, Auld Lang Syne, Ye Banks and Braes o/bonnie Doon, Leezie Lindsay, Green Grow the Rashes O.  

Some of the better-known poems were recited such as Tae a Louse, To a Mouse and the background to the longer poems, Tam O’Shanter and Halloween by Burns was shared. 

The arrival of the Haggis was greeted with the traditional address, with Michel Richer and Cllr Robert Burgess delivering the Selkirk Grace. 

The delicious home-made soda bread was presented to the guests along with a buffet of salads, cheese, preserves, pate, smoked salmon and of course, Haggis.

Next week Wednesday, March 15, Francis McLean will deliver a richly- illustrated presentation on the linen heritage around the Ballynahinch, Drumaness and Dromara area. 

The presentation, which has been researched by esteemed local historian, Horace Reid will take place in the Dan Rice Hall, Drumaness at 4pm. 

On Friday, April 14, the twinning group will launch six heritage videos at Edengrove Presbyterian church hall in Ballynahinch at 7pm which have produced by local RMC Media Partnership company for upload to the twinning organisation’s YouTube site. 

The videos will be accessible to everyone and may be accessed free of charge, with the twinning group explaining that it wanted to preserve the past working with Mr Reid who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to research local history. 

The video themes are: Betsy Gray, Growth of The Legend; Battle of Ballynahinch, Four Fighting Days; Five Montalto Dynasties, 400 years of Old Magheradroll Graveyard, Early Presbyterian Charity at First Ballynahinch and a cartoon history of Lord Moira.

During the April 14 event, Ballylone Concert Flute Band will play musical compositions commissioned for the soundtrack of the videos. 

The twinning group would like to thank the various groups which have supported and continue to supports its work.

They include Ultach Fund, the district’s Policing and Community Social Partnership and Newry Mourne and Down Council for its generous support via its financial assistance programme to pay for the coach trip to the Seamus Heaney Home Place, the informal evening learning how to make soda bread on a griddle, while listening to the songs and poems of the Scottish bard, Rabbie Burns and are other upcoming events to take place in the local area.