Council Area: Mid Ulster

Inspiring Women through the Art of Photography & Storytelling Exhibition in Cookstown

Over a period of 14 weeks, a group of 8 women from Cookstown of all ages and from various diverse backgrounds, came together to learn photography. The project was about much more than merely taking photographs, it involved empowerment, sharing experiences, storytelling, building confidence, writing
journals and learning through art. Connections were made and friendships were formed.

This was an individual project as well as a group project.

On Wednesday 2oth September 2023 (6-9pm) the book will be exhibited and launched in the Hub, Cookstown.

The event will be compered by Tim McGarry.

Bad Bridget at Ulster American Folk Park

The Bad Bridget exhibition at Ulster American Folk Park (on display until April 2024) tells the stories of the thousands of women who left Ireland for North America between 1838 and 1918. Many of whom found themselves facing troubles and struggling to survive.

Through a sensory experience of the lives of these women, visitors are taken on a journey beginning with their lives in Ireland, their experiences of life alone at sea to seeking jobs once they landed in America; as well as the real life experiences of living in poverty within the tenement housing of the period.

Bad Bridget is a continuing collaboration between  the museum, Queen’s University Belfast and  Ulster University and is based on significant research carried out by Dr Elaine Farrell and Dr Leanne McCormick.

Shared? On Tour 2023

Belfast based theatre company Partisan Productions, in partnership with Clanmil Housing has developed a forum theatre show called Shared? Based on the success of last years show it is now on tour!

Shared? follows a colourful cast of characters living in and near a shared housing development where a rumour has been circulating and the local Neighbourhood App has taken a definite turn for the odd. Partisan invite audiences to ‘meet these neighbours, from different countries, classes and cultures as their worlds begin to combine and collide’.

TogetHERness – reflections from Iceland

This event will be a hybrid event held in the offices of NIRWN Cookstown and online for rural women to come together to hear from the Director and Project Co-ordinator of NIRWN about their recent study visit to Iceland, through the support of the Social Change Initiative.

The staff will share the learning from this visit on the topic of gender equality, relating to all aspects of women’s lives in Iceland and will engage in a Q and A with participants.

This event is also an opportunity to explore issues relevant to rural women’s lives in Northern Ireland, particularly around gender equality as well as women, peace and security and will help shape and inform future NIRWN work in this field.

A Rural Gathering: Growing Inclusive Communities

Inclusive and thriving rural places and people are at the heart of Rural Community Network. As part of Good Relations Week 2023, we are teaming up with TIDES Training to deliver a special seminar where we will creatively explore how we continue to grow inclusive rural spaces and places of welcome, creativity, innovation and sustainability. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Futsal Indoor Football

Futsal is indoors football and is played by two teams of 5 players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper.  The names comes from the Portugese; futebol de salao and from the Spanish; futbol sala or futbol de salon, all translatable as indoor football.

Futsal workshops will be run out in 5 primary schools across Omagh by the Irish Football Association.  All the schools will come together for a programme finale tournament.

World Culture Day

Celebrating a year of ongoing collaboration between St. Patrick’s College and Drumglass High School. Workshops in the morning exploring Diversity and Culture followed by a joint musical production in the afternoon.

Online Trauma Informed Practice Workshop – Level 1 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Awareness

As part of Good Relations Week 2023, Rural Community Network (RCN) is delivering an online course in Trauma Informed Practice – Level 1 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Awareness. This course is ideally suited for individuals and organisation’s who are interested in gaining an initial understanding of ACEs, their long term impacts, how they affect behaviours, how we can better respond to people affected by ACEs (including ourselves), and who can support us.

This workshop is part of RCN’s ongoing participation in, and commitment to, the regional strategy to embed ACES Awareness and Trauma Informed knowledge and practice at community and statutory levels. Delivery will be provided by RCN staff who have been trained by Safeguarding Board NI (SBNI). All resources used to deliver the workshop have been developed by SBNI.

To reserve a place at this workshop please click below alternatively contact the RCN Offices on 0288766670 or kelly@ruralcommunitynetwork.org.