Saintfield Heritage Programme 2015-16

The programme of talks for the 2015-16 season has just been launched. Once again it covers a wide range of interesting heritage subjects, as listed below.

All talks will be held in the Woodrow Room of Saintfield Parish Church Hall at 8:00pm

Non-members are welcome to attend talks that interest them.

Membership of Saintfield Heritage Society for the year costs £10 (£4 for students)

10th September 2015
ARCHIBALD HAMILTON ROWAN AND KILLYLEAGH CASTLE
Philip Orr makes a welcome return to open the new season with some highlights of this wonderful castle, owned by the Hamilton family since the early 17th century.

8th October 2015
OVERLAND TO SINGAPORE
In 2007-8 Penny Snowden and her partner drove to Singapore in a veteran Land Rover, taking just over a year. She will recount some of their many adventures and experiences during this memorable trip.

12th November 2015
THE IRISH NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL GARDENS, ISLANDBRIDGE
These gardens, dedicated to the memory of World War I Irish soldiers, were designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Our guide to these gardens will be Dr John McCullen, who has been involved with their restoration and management.

14th January 2016
HEROES, BANSHEES AND FAIRY TREES: ASPECTS OF THE IRISH FOLK TRADITION
Roise ni Bhaoill will explore various aspects of storytelling and folklore with particular reference to heroic figures such as Cuchulainn and the multifarious activities of the “little people”.

11th February 2016
CAPTURING NORTHERN IRELAND’S PAST IN FILM
Francis Jones, Archive Education Officer for Northern Ireland Screen, will introduce a number of short films from the Digital Film Archive documenting various facets of Northern Ireland life over the last one hundred years.

10th March 2016
THE BUILDING OF THE MOURNE WALL
Ernie Wilson will tell the story of the building of this famous granite wall over a period of eighteen years, from 1904 until 1922.

14th April 2016
THE DOWNPATRICK HIGH CROSS
This eleven hundred year old Cross has recently been restored and reassembled in the Down County Museum. Michael King, Curator of the Museum, will explain the history, iconography and conservation of this important relic of the early Christian heritage of this area.