Inishowen: An Ancient Landscape

By Denise Henry, Marketing, Inishowen Tourism

Inishowen is an ancient area that spans 1000s of years, visible archaeological monuments, that occupy the landscape testify to that fact. Yet recent discoveries at Cooley Moville, pictured above and Carndonagh have proven, that much more can be learnt about our ancient landscape and its important ecclesiastical past by looking beneath the surface.

The Bernician Studies Group (BSG) based in the UK have been instrumental, alongside the Lands of Eogain Group formed in 2015, in increasing the profile of Inishowen as an area of important historical and archaeological significance. The BSG have visited Inishowen over the last five summers and within that time are responsible for locating the existence of four double precincts (boundaries) of monasteries located at Cloncha, Carrowmore, Cooley and now Carndonagh. 

Archaeological Finds at Cooley

Cooley is an area representative of an important ecclesiastical site which, as you can see above, overlooks Moville Town and the expanse of the Lough Foyle. In a field behind Cooley Graveyard, the BSG, based on a previous Geophysical Survey, carried out a small excavation through a section of the identified boundary ditch.

You can see the team, pictured above, alongside local archaeologists and undergraduate students from Newcastle University, excavating in a 3 metre test trench. Some of the finds pictured below include; metal, glass (to the right) and possible Souterrain Ware pictured on the left below. Max Adams, Excavation Director at the site, stated this indicates possible industrial activity such as Iron working as "early monasteries were centres of fine liturgical craftsmanship". Another promising find was evidence of a palisade trench, only further excavation will allow us to learn much more about this complex and ancient site. 

Geophysical Survey Results at Carndonagh

Located in the field opposite Donagh Church in Carndonagh Jack Pennie and Geoff Taylor from the BSG carried out a geophysical survey. The survey identified a double ditched boundary that captures within it the stunning Marigold High Cross. You can see the type of geophysical survey work called Magnetometry carried out below. Magnetometry is a technique used to measure and map patterns of magnetism in the soil. As you can see below this is a non intrusive technique.

A Celebration of Heritage: The Lands of Eogain Festival

The Lands of Eogain Group was established in 2015 with the aim to develop heritage in Inishowen by collaborating with local and international heritage groups. 2016 marked the second successful Lands of Eogain Festival. The event drew academics from Ireland, England and Scotland to Inishowen to discuss the strong links between the peninsula to other ecclesiastical sites in the above areas. As you can see below the festival generated a lot of interest and support from local archaeologists, historians and communities throughout the Inishowen Peninsula.

More to Discover!

Each year the BSG, in a voluntary capacity, have made significant discoveries, despite a lack of funds available to carry out archaeological research. Due to the efforts of, the BSG, The Lands of Eogain Group and continued support of local communities, I have no doubt this will be the first of many articles relating to new archaeological finds in the peninsula.

Find out more
http://www.bernicianstudies.eu/?page_id=243

https://www.facebook.com/landsofeogain/
https://www.facebook.com/bernicehasfriends/

Mabel R. Colhoun; Our Guide to Heritage in Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing, Inishowen Tourism

Who was Mabel R. Colhoun?

Mabel Remington Colhoun, pictured above, was a pioneering female involved with archaeology at the turn of the 20th Century, who spent over fifty years of her life devoted to researching, recording and surveying heritage in the Inishowen landscape. Her life's work in the area is best illustrated in "The Heritage of Inishowen: Its Archaeology, History and Folklore" published in 1995 following her death. What is so significant about Mabel's work is it was the first of its kind in the region and to date her research has been a guide to many who wanted to expand on the current knowledge of heritage in the peninsula. 

The Inishowen Connection

Mabel's ancestral home originated in the area of Knocklglass Malin, Inishowen, pictured above. Her grandfather was a farmer from that region and her father later moved from Inishowen to Derry City where he set up a successful building company called the Colhoun Bros. Mabel herself was born at North Lodge Derry/Londonderry in 1902. With this in mind Mabel was born and raised in the city, but from an early age had spent many childhood summers in Inishowen with her family.  

On the Road to Archaeology

Mabel, pictured above on the right with her mother Lizzie Gordon, was raised in a household passionate about history, archaeology, built heritage and nature.With this in mind it is no surprise that Mabel herself would become heavily involved in these areas. Mabel acquired her initial training in archaeological field work in the 1930s & 40s on digs across Northern Ireland. As you can see below Mabel documented photographically the progress of excavations at Dungiven and Tamnyrankin, Co. Derry/Londonderry. Using the skills Mabel gained on these digs and from the persuasion of experts in the field; Esytn Evans and Oliver Davies, Mabel would begin her own survey of the Inishowen Peninsula in 1940.

During the war years, when their was a petrol shortage in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Mabel would travel to archaeological sites by bicycle. This would mean a distance, of in some cases, 32 miles to travel from her home in Deanfield, Derry/Londonderry to sites in Malin Head, Inishowen. A staggering distance considering Mabel would have had to carry survey equipment, notebooks and maps. You can see from the image below that Mabel was dedicated to learning as much as possible from heritage sites in Inishowen. The image is taken from the "Skull House" as it is described locally at Cooley Graveyard in Moville, Inishowen.

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More to Come!

This is part one of a series that will explore the life of this unique lady and by following in Mabel's footsteps we will explore and learn about archaeology, history, local folklore and myth in Inishowen. Using Mabel's archive, that is cared for by the Tower Museum in Derry/Londonderry, we will explore the wealth of documents, artefacts and photographs to find out more about the work carried out by Mabel in Inishowen. A special thanks to the Tower Museum for facilitating my research!

Hidden Gems At Moville Boutique Hostel, Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing, Inishowen Tourism 

Located close to the picturesque seaside town of Moville, Inishowen, is Moville Boutique Hostel.

Arriving at the site you will be welcomed by quirky colourful signage and an inviting exterior, pictured above. Inside you will meet Cressida Canavan Manager at Moville Boutique Hostel, who kindly gave me a tour of the property. For all of you that love your pets you will be delighted to hear that Moville Boutique Hostel is pet friendly. This little lady pictured below gave me a greeting as soon as I arrived.

Indoors you will find a games area, kitchen/dining room and for those of you who enjoy reading, there is a library on the second floor, pictured below, which overlooks the vibrant green woodland surrounding the property. At the property you will find a range of accommodation,  with rooms that have unique themes and finishing touches. Adding to the charm of the building is traditional stonework  found throughout the Boutique Hostel. This is a product of the conversion of the hostel from farm buildings originally located on the grounds.

Overall there is a feeling you will get at the property of being in the countryside but in reality you are beside a town. On the grounds there are two rivers running close to the hostel, one of which is called the River Bredagh. Four bridges are present in total and guests are welcome to fish for brown trout and eels that have been spotted in the rivers. From the property you can follow a scenic trail, along the river and through the woods to Moville town, a short distance away.

One of Irelands Oldest Bridges at Moville Boutique Hostel

A little gem on the grounds is a traditional stone bridge, argued by many to be one of Ireland's oldest bridges. The bridge itself is thought to date from the 6th Century and according to legend was built by St Patrick who stopped here on his way to a nearby ancient site at Cooley. On the footage above, you can see the bridge and the peaceful grounds surrounding it. 

For the Love of Camping at Moville Boutique Hostel

On the grounds is a camping area, pictured above, with facilities to pitch a text, have a small campfire and BBQ, which adds to the outdoor and rustic feeling you will experience during your stay at Moville Boutique Hostel.

An added bonus during your stay is the chance to see some of the adorable farm animals, pictured above, on their working farm located at the rear of the property. These animals include chickens, hens, geese, rabbits and goats. Stay posted for my next blog were I learn all about the work carried out between the Boutique Hostel and local communities in the area.

For More Information on Moville Boutique Hostel

http://www.movilleboutiquehostel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/moville.hostel/

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