Council Area: Fermanagh & Omagh

Ireland in 1922 Conference

From Treaty to Civil War and Partition

Few years were as seminal in the shaping of the modern island of Ireland than 1922 – a year of political and violent turmoil, North and South, as the fledgling governments in Dublin and Belfast sought to establish themselves against seemingly impossible odds. In the emergent Irish Free State the Treaty Split and the subsequent divide in the IRA marked the slow, inexorable descent into Civil War.

In the new Northern Ireland political uncertainly fuelled the flames of sectarian violence in both Belfast and on the border involving the IRA (loyal to Michael Collins) the Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) and British troops. Brutal atrocities shocked Belfast while British troops used artillery against the IRA on the Fermanagh-Donegal border.

Against this background, Winston Churchill, the British Minister in charge of Irish affairs, brokered important agreements between Collins and James Craig in 1922, aimed at ending the violence and achieving stability. However, these fragile pacts were soon ‘washed away in a torrent of blood’ and Collins supported Northern nationalists and the Northern IRA in their campaign against partition while Craig relied on draconian special powers and internment. In June the assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson- Craig’s Military Advisor- was to trigger the by now inevitable Civil War. It was only then that peace was gradually restored to Northern Ireland. Both states faced minority problems but while the Southern Protestants adjusted to the new state, the one-third minority in the North remained sullen and resentful.

In this special symposium, three distinguished historians, Dr Éamon Phoenix, Dr Russell Rees and Jim McDermott, will shed new light on this critical year, its key events and the roles played by leading Irish and British political leaders.

 

Latvian Society of Cavan and Northern Ireland

The Latvian Society of Cavan and Northern Ireland present the dancers of Latviesu Biedriba sharing their passion for folk dancing through their outdoor performance of the Kricburgas polka and midsummer celebration dance.

This video will be published live on Monday at 9am, using the link below.

 

Erne District Chinese Families’ and Friends’ Association

Erne District Chinese Families’ and Friends’ Association promotes Chinese culture, language and traditions to ensure future generations are aware of their heritage.

The group shares the celebration of Chinese culture through traditional Chinese music, singing and dancing, calligraphy and cooking and the Story of the Laughing Little Flower told in Mandarin by 8-year old Lee Shin.

Video Profile of Local Young Photographer Sarah Little

The Community Relations Council presents a video profile of a young photographer, Sarah Little, and the creation of her creative photography project that aims to highlight climate change as one of the 21 Artists for the 21st Century by the NI Office.

The video profile documents the creation of the unique series of photographs and includes an interview with the young photographer.

Lisnaskea Yarnspinners with Nandi Jola

Libraries NI presents storyteller and playwright, Nandi Jola, to share a range of folk tales from the African continent.

Nandi was born in South Africa and grew up under the apartheid regime until she was 21 when she moved to Northern Ireland. She has been active in the arts community as a writer, schools ambassador, artist and facilitator.

Please use the link below, to register. 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Ethical & Shared Remembering: Remembering a Decade of Change and Violence 1912-1922

As part of Good Relations Week 2021, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have organised a virtual event to discuss and study the decade between 1912 and 1922. It will examine key events based on historical accuracy, their impact and consequences and help contribute to an inclusive and accepting society based on mutual understanding and respect.

The programme will be delivered by the Junction through an approach which respects the inherited historical narrative of participants while encouraging open and honest discussion around the events of the time.

This event marks the first in a programme studying the decade between 1912 and 1922. It will examine key events based on historical accuracy, their impact and consequences and help contribute to an inclusive and accepting society based on mutual understanding and respect. The programme will be delivered by the Junction through an approach which respects the inherited historical narrative of participants while encouraging open and honest discussion around the events of the time.

Can we build a Shared Future and what would it look like?

This event is in keeping with the theme ‘Brighter Days Ahead ‘and will focus on reconciliation as participants engage on the topic – “Can we build a Shared Future and what would it look like?”

There will be opportunities for inter-generational discussion as 6th form students from Enniskillen post-primary schools interact with Church Forum members after input from the keynote speaker Dr. Johnston McMaster well known Trinity College Adjunct Assistant Professor in Reconciliation.

Fermanagh Churches Forum is made up of church members and clergy from different Christian churches in the Enniskillen area who seek to find meaningful ways to engage with the issues affecting people in our local community. This event will be an opportunity to highlight the voices of young people.

This conference will explore aspects of a Shared Future and strategies for building a Shared Future with a special emphasis on hearing how young people see this. A ‘Level students of Politics, History and Religious Studies will have conversations with members of Fermanagh Churches Forum on reconciliation issues that have to be addressed as we journey towards a shared and peaceful future.

For more info, please contact: eccgallagher@yahoo.co.uk

Lessons of Srebrenica: Acknowledgement, Justice and Peacebuilding?

As part of Good Relations Week 2021, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have organised a virtual talk, featuring survivors of the genocide in Srebrenica Nedžad Avdić. Who will give people a unique insight into the lives of those who have endured persecution? It will help people here to learn about the past from a global perspective and learn lessons from the past. The more we learn about human injustices the more empathy we have and hopefully, this will lead us to do more to challenge injustices in our local communities.

The talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session, facilitated by Peter Osborne, Chair of Remembering Srebrenica in Northern Ireland.

To find out more, contact pauline.clarke@fermanaghomagh.com

 

 

Together in Hope – Virtual Webinar

Together in Hope is an online event with a panel of speakers exploring how shared education can contribute to a society moving forward to ‘Brighter Days Ahead’, ‘Together in Hope’.

The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer session. Winners of the art competition ‘Together in Hope’ will be announced at the event.

For more info, please contact pauline.clarke@fermanaghomagh.com