TOWNLAND OAKS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
Publish Date: Thursday, 13 May 2004
PRESS RELEASE
PR223.04
13th May 2004
Townland Oaks Campaign Continues in Local Schools
The Council’s Townlands Campaign has started in local schools across the Borough. As well as receiving an oak tree to celebrate their townland’s heritage, a class in each of the schools have been taking part in an art project to draw images of their townlands, which will be published in a book later this year.
The townland is a unique feature of the Irish landscape and is one of the most ancient divisions in the country. The aim of the Council’s campaign is to preserve the tradition of the townland names. A total of 729 trees will be planted.
Artists Emma Spence and Deirdre Crowley have been working with the local schools devising the images and encouraging the young people to carry out research about the history of their area, talk to Grandparents and Parents about events in the past.
Community Arts Officer, Áine Dolan said, “This project is a great opportunity for young people in the area to celebrate their heritage. The book of images and information will be published later this year and distributed to all the schools that are taking part”.
The first phase of the campaign is now complete, each primary school in the Borough has received an oak tree and planting for this season has now ceased.
Over the summer months, Parks will continue to compile a list for the remainder of the trees. The next phase for planting will be Autumn 2004. Anyone interested in acquiring a townland tree is encouraged to contact Dungannon Park to place their names on the list. Tel: 028 8772 7327.
The art project is funded by Awards for All.
ENDS>>>>>>
Emma Heatherington
