Heartland project shortlisted for UAH Heritage Angel Awards NI 2019
Seamus Heaney HomePlace is delighted to announce that The Heartland Project has been shortlisted for the UAH Heritage Angel Awards NI 2019 – Best Contribution to a Heritage Project by Young People.
The project was led by Seamus Heaney HomePlace’s Education Officer, Roisin Convery and Education Officer for Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Peter Lant, who wished to encourage children to explore their heritage with the benefit of improving literacy. This project fitted into the Northern Ireland primary curriculum of ‘The World Around Us’ and ‘Language and Literacy’.
The Heartland project was undertaken by pupils from 8 different other schools, resulting in the publication of ‘Heartland’ a collection of poems written by the children following visits to various heritage sites in Mid-Ulster.
The children each visited a local heritage site, including Bellaghy Bawn, Knockmany Passage Tomb, Lissan House and Tirkane Sweathouse; and learned about the unique history of these places from experts. On each visit, Myra Zepf, Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland, accompanied the children; and led poetry writing workshops following the visit to help the children express what they had learned on paper.
The Heartland book was launched in May 2019, and is a celebration of both language and built heritage, sharing the wonder and fascination that the children felt about the atmosphere and history of these exciting historic places. The book is available free of charge in visitor information centres across the Mid-Ulster Council area, allowing the public to learn more about their local built heritage in a different way.
This project will have a lasting effect on all those involved, increasing their knowledge and understanding of historic buildings and heritage and increasing their confidence in writing and literacy. For some, this project may even have sparked an interest which will continue for a lifetime.
Voting is now open until Friday 11th October 2019. Click Here to vote.
