The Tower Museum
AS Derry prepares to host the huge nautical celebration the Foyle Maritime Festival in July, find out more about the city’s maritime past with a series of captivating historical talks taking place in the Tower Museum.
The series, which is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from DuPont, will comprise of four events focusing on different aspects and eras in the life of the River Foyle, and will be led by local researchers Dr Liam Campbell and Ken McCormick.
The first event takes place in the Tower Museum tomorrow evening, June 15, with a special focus by Dr Campbell on the joining of the Foyle and the Swilly and the changing local maritime landscape, titled ‘What could have been? An Irish Holland – Joining Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly’.
Dr Campbell will reveal the stories behind some of the more fascinating aspects of our natural and engineered landscapes from the climate change lessons of the Broighter Hoard, to beached whales at Bridgend as well as the plans to join the Swilly and the Foyle.
Speaking ahead of the events, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Hilary McClintock, said the series would offer a real insight into the city’s colourful maritime past.
“We’ve all heard stories of the river’s history in terms of its role in the war and in more modern times. But few of us have delved further back in time to when the Foyle was a busy European waterway at the heart of commerce here in the North West.
“It’s essential that we celebrate this history and take pride in the city’s reputation as a thriving maritime hub, and preserve these accounts for future generations.
“As we look forward to the Foyle Maritime Festival, it’s the perfect opportunity to put the events on the Foyle in the context of the city’s rich maritime heritage.”
Following this Derry’s evolving maritime role down through the ages will be the focus of ‘The Maiden City and the Western Ocean …We sailed away from Derry ‘Kay’!’ on June 22nd with local historian Ken McCormick. Trace the city’s history from St Columba’s time to the times of the Celts, the Vikings and the Elizabethans before looking at stories from the Great Famine and more recently the U-Boat surrender. Ken will also explore how the river’s role has changed through the years from commerce to conflict, and the demise of the shipping industry which had once been one of Derry’s most vital assets.
The third event will take place on June 29th and asks ‘Where have they gone? The salmon and oak of the Foyle river valley – Laboratory for Change and Empire.’ Dr Campbell will revisit the maritime landscape of the North West from a historical perspective focusing on two icons of natural heritage in the Foyle valley and their history, lore and tradition.
Finally the series will conclude with ‘Down to the Sea in Ships …Magnificent yarns never told!’ on July 6th, Ken McCormack will take an in depth look at some of the enthralling tales of the colourful maritime characters down through the ages.
The respected historian will shine a light on the antics of Captain Coppin, and reveal why the McCorkell Line named their ships after characters in the poem Hiawatha, and examine how the River Foyle became a lifeline for world famous female aviationist Amelia Earhart.
All the talks are free and take place in the Tower Museum at 7.30pm on the dates highlighted, for more information contact the Tower Museum on 028 7137 2411 or [email protected]
