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Project 18: Study of Vernacular Buildings

The study of vernacular buildings project will raise awareness and profile the need to address the demise of vernacular buildings/ structures, and their value to the unique story about people of the area.
Project Partner:
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Project 18: Study of Vernacular Buildings

Project Partner:
Theme:

This project aims to sustain and conserve Fermanagh’s vernacular structures by working primarily at grass roots level with community groups, farmers and individuals around Lough Erne, to heighten knowledge, awaken interest and recognition of vernacular structures and their role in the landscape history of Fermanagh.

By understanding the historic built environment, people value it. By valuing it they will want to care for it; by caring for it, they will help people enjoy it, from enjoying the historic environment comes a thirst to understand it.

Throughout this project community events will be organised, to raise awareness, understanding and knowledge, throughout the LELP region, of vernacular buildings, their importance and cultural value.

We will be working closely with local communities, obtaining permission to visit, record and survey between 30 and 40 vernacular buildings (which includes outbuildings, farmyards, bridges, wells etc) throughout the LELP area.

There will be opportunities for volunteers to train in survey techniques, carry out surveys of the buildings/structures and assist in recording the social history, through photos and oral histories.

If you are interested in volunteering for this project or would like further information please contact Hazel Long  call: 07548 155351 email: hazel.long@rspb.org.uk

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Project Updates

Legacy of Landscape: The People & Heritage of Lough Erne – February 2022 Newsletter Issue No.3

Download PDF – Legacy of Landscape – Newsletter February 2022 V1

Volunteers Survey Vernacular Buildings – August 2021
As part of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership’s study of vernacular buildings projects, which are being delivered in collaboration with Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis, Queen’s University Belfast, QUB – Archaeology at Queen’s volunteers were busy this week and last week surveying vernacular buildings around Co. Fermanagh. These volunteers have successfully completed their online training in the run up to these surveys.
 
Thanks to all the volunteers who were so committed despite the wet weather and a special thanks to Dr Colm Donnelly from the Centre of Community Archaeology (CCDA), Queen’s University Belfast who delivered the training.
 
Check out our website for more information: https://www.lelp.org.uk/surveying-vernacular-buildings/
Vernacular Building Online Launch – July 2021

Vernacular Building Online Launch

Legacy of Landscape Launch – May 2021

Watch the Legacy of Landscape Launch recording below! 

The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) invites you to join us at the virtual launch of our exciting new two-year engagement programme – Legacy of Landscape: The People and Heritage of Lough Erne on Wednesday 19th May at 7:30 pm, with guest speaker Ciaran McMenamin – Fermanagh native, author and actor.  This event will explore our new project, which is focussed on discovering, celebrating and preserving the culture and traditions of the Lough Erne region, both past and present.

Supported through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Community Foundation Northern Ireland, this project will be delivered in collaboration with the Centre for Community Archaeology (CCA) and the Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis(CDDA) at Queen’s University Belfast. The initiative focusses on the built and cultural heritage of Lough Erne, and volunteers can enrol to get access to a suite of FREE ‘at home’ learning opportunities where they can develop and learn new skills and share valuable stories, capturing and promoting the unique and special heritage of the Erne’s landscape and communities.

There are 5 key heritage studies within the programme that are focused around the themes of:

  • Memories:  Life on the Erne
  • Studying Vernacular Buildings
  • Enniskillen: The Development of the Island Town
  • Mapping the Built Heritage of the Islands
  • Power & Pageantry: Exploring Fermanagh in the Times of the Maguires

In order to address the current restrictions due to the pandemic, the collective QUB team have developed the LELP Online Heritage Campus.  Spearheaded by Dr Siobhán McDermott,  this exciting new online learning experience offers you a FREE course of five four-week long ‘toolkits’ or virtual learning experiences that enable you as volunteers to receive tuition from the safety of your own home!

Throughout this two-year project, in addition to our learning sessions, there will be opportunities to participate in the field with archaeological excavations, site visits, buildings recording field schools, as well as a lecture series, online talks, and your chance to contribute towards the development of a dynamic and interactive ‘Memory Map’, showcasing the rich and unique cultural heritage of the Erne.

So, what do we expect from you? 

All we expect is an enthusiastic attitude and an interest in conserving and promoting the heritage of the region. Our online tutors will be available to help, advise, and support you from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. You do not need to have any previous experience in any of our topics. We will see you through!

Please join us to hear more about our project on Wednesday 19th  May. Our guest speaker, Ciaran McMenamin, will treat us to a reading from his latest book The Sunken Road, in addition to excerpts from his 2017 novel Skintown, sharing with us how the landscapes of Lough Erne have influenced his writing.  Amongst musical interludes from Fermanagh singer songwriter Sean Magee, we are also delighted to be joined by Professor Eileen Murphy, Professor of Archaeology at the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s University Belfast, who will provide more information about the innovative work we will be undertaking around Fermanagh.