Your chance to find out about folk traditions of the area
17th July 2018
Residents from the Fermanagh and Omagh District are being invited to take part in a new Peace IV Programme which will explore the history of local folk traditions.
The ‘Folk Traditions’ programme is one of 16 projects taking place as part of the £2.8 million Fermanagh and Omagh Peace IV Local Action Plan, which is being delivered by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
This Local Authority Action Plan is being financed through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programme’s Body. Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
The Folk Traditions programme will explore the history of folk traditions in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area with a focus on the tradition of Mumming.
As well as introducing the Mumming tradition, which is particularly strong in Fermanagh and West Tyrone, to new audiences, the programme will also capture oral histories of the tradition to help to create an online archive. The online archive will also include information, film and photographs on the Mumming tradition on areas such as the disguises and costumes, music, dance and drama re-enactments and the infamous mumming balls, called ‘sprees’ or ‘joins’.
A ‘Folk Traditions’’ Forum will also be established as part of the ‘Folk Traditions’ programme to provide people with the opportunity to meet and reminisce and to bring heritage craft skills and customs back to life.
The Folk Traditions Programme is being co-ordinated by the Mummers Foundation which works to raise the profile of and increase the understanding of masked traditions at home and abroad.
The Fermanagh and Omagh Peace IV Local Action Plan has been developed to promote positive relations between people from different backgrounds and communities within the district. The Plan includes 16 projects across three key themes Shared Spaces and Services, Children and Young People and Building Positive Relations at a local level.
A voluntary Peace IV Partnership – made up of Councillors and representatives from statutory agencies and social partners – supports and monitors the effective delivery of the Peace IV Local Action Plan.
To find out more about the ‘Folk Traditions’ programme and to register your interest, please contact Jim Ledwith, Mummers Foundation by e-mail at jim.ledwith@btconnect.com or telephone 07971 075955.