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Memories of Maghera

We have recently been successful in securing funding for our next project Memories of Maghera.

We are extremely grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and all players of the National Lottery for making our grant of ยฃ55,900 possible, the project will be completed by the end of 2023.

The purpose of the grant will be to extend our display of scaled models in the Heritage Centre. These will include St. Lurach’s Church , Emigrants Cairn and Upperlands Linen Factory.

To allow the public access to our project the production of a film and a tour of the journey taken by the Emigrants on their way from Maghera to a new life in America.

The employees who worked at the Upperlands Linen Factory over the years will be interviewed and their stories of work within the factory will be recorded, transcribed and documented and placed in our archival system for future generations.

The plan for a model of Upperlands Linen Mill will be in the form of an overhead view of the factory grounds identifying the listed buildings on site. These buildings will be developed in a scaled model format to be displayed in the Heritage Centre’s exhibition gallery.

Accompanying these models will be a researched document on their history dating back to earlier times, details will be available in the form of a pop-up banner which will be on view to visitors and tourists and will be on show within our exhibition gallery.

We may consider compiling a publication on all the research carried out and this will be available and for sale within our Heritage Centre.

Anyone wishing to be part of this very interesting project on a voluntary basis please contact us at the Heritage Centre for more information.

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Latest News

JobStart Scheme

In collaboration with the Department of Communities we are offering a position to an unemployed 16 to 24 year old within our centre enabling them to improve their employment skills and potential to get a job or progress into further education or training.

The position is for a minimum 25 hours per week Administrative Assistant and general duties with flexible hours between 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday.

Temporary under JobStart scheme but extended employment may be available at end of contract.

Required Qualifications:

GCSE Maths and English C or above (or equivalent).
Good IT skills.

Communication skills.

Duties will include:

General Administration

Book-keeping

Filing and organising

Assist in the delivery of projects, updating weekly social media sites

Telephone Answering

Receptionist duties

Attending directors meetings

Meeting and greeting visitors to centre

Able to work within a team

If interested please email CV to : info@maghera-heritage.org.uk

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Local Stories

An Entrepreneur Born on the Streets of Maghera: By Conor O’Kane

An Entrepreneur born on the streets of Maghera.

When I was around 5 years old my dad had a joinery workshop on Glen Road. There were always a few trimmings and cut-offs lying around from the various wooden products he’d make. From these, myself and my friends would make bows and arrows and toy guns. We’d also steal a few sheets and planks to make tree houses and huts. If anyone was to dig up around what is now Fairhill Park they’d find the remnants of these old huts. This used to be a field in which we spent our summer months play fighting around the ruins of the old Fairhill school.

One day the entrepreneur in me kicked in and we discovered a wonderful use for the left-overs from my Dad’s work. At this time central heating was only for a few futuristic people. Everyone else had a fire and used sticks and coal to heat their homes. Myself and my neighbour filled turf bags with sticks. We got my dad to lift them onto a wheelbarrow and off we went on our trade mission along the houses of Glen close and Glen road.

Our customers were more than happy to hand over ยฃ1 for a turf bag of fire-lighting wonder. In a day’s work it wasn’t uncommon to get ยฃ10 – ยฃ15 between us. Although our entrepreneurial skills were working overtime at this young age, our savings and investments’ strategies needed some work. We’d take our sales for that day and make our way straight to Patsy Cassidy’s shop. (Now Kelly’s Eurospar). In those days ยฃ5 or ยฃ10 would buy enough sweets, ice lollies and lucky bags to cater for a party of around 30 children.

I loved my early days in Maghera. It was a wonderful, friendly town where everyone felt like family. I owe my current business skills and bad teeth to the story above

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Events Latest News

Storytelling and Music Evening

We will be hosting a Storytelling & Music Evening on Friday 17th November at 7.30pm in our centre. There will be a number of storytellers and musicians, light refreshments available for attendees, admission ยฃ10.

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Events Latest News

DIY Skills Workshops

We will be hosting two DIY Skills Workshops delivered by Habitat Ireland in our Men’s Shed on Tuesday 15th and Tuesday 22nd August 10.30am to 12.30pm. To sign up use the QR Code below or follow this linkย https://www.tfaforms.com/4947549

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Events Latest News

August Shop Local Fair

We will be hosting our monthly Shop Local Fair on Saturday 19th August from 10am to 3pm.

We will have stalls from a number of local small businesses with something for everyone.

There will be craft supplies, pottery, jewellery, wreaths and other handcrafted gifts. As well as sweet treats and childrenโ€™s books from local authors and Osbourne booksellers.

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Events Latest News

Macmillan Coffee Morning

We will be hosting a Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 29th September from 11am to 1pm.

All proceeds from this event will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

If you would like to volunteer at this event or make a donation please contact the centre.

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Events Latest News

Chair Exercise Classes

We will be hosting weekly Chair Exercise Classes at 12.30pm every Thursday, starting Thursday 14th September.

This will be hosted by Thomasina Birt in our upstairs function room.

Please seek your doctors advice if you have any concerns R.E. Exercise. 

If you are interested in attending this classes please contact our centre on 028 7964 2677 to reserve a place.

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Events Latest News

Maghera Heritage Trail

We will be hosting a guided walking tour of Maghera on Saturday  30th September as part of Mid Ulster District Councilโ€™s Hidden Heritage Events.

The tour will include our centre at 11 Main Street, St. Lurachโ€™s Church and graveyard, Maghera Walled Garden, Maghera Courthouse and a number of informational plaques located across the town.

The tour including return coach, refreshments and a light lunch is ยฃ25 pre-booking with MUDC is essential. Please inform of any dietary requirements when booking.

For further information or booking: https://www.visitmidulster.com/whats-on/hidden-heritage-maghera-past-and-present-a-guided-walking-tour-p839081 or contact 02879631510.

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Latest News Recent Projects

Maghera Memories Project Progress ย 

Our Maghera Memories Models have been constructed in Cardiff and are now available to view in our reception area.
Banners are being formulated, if you have any information or photos you feel would be beneficial to the informational banners please email them to info@maghera-heritage.org.uk

St. Lurach’s Old Church and Graveyard
The Emigrants Cairn
Clark’s Linen Factory Upperlands
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Events Latest News

Beat It – Summer Cultural Project

There will be a two day  cultural music event for children aged 10-12 years in our centre on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th July from 10am to 3pm.

As part of the event children will learn how to make their own drums from recycled materials as well as make music with their instruments while learning about different cultures.

The event is free, children must bring a packed lunch.

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Events Latest News

Interview Skills for All

We will be hosting an โ€˜Interview Skills for Allโ€™ session on Thursday 6th July from 7pm to 9pm.

This session is designed to help people of all backgrounds with applications / interviews. Our mentors are from Education, Business and Health backgrounds.

Suggested donation of ยฃ5 per person with pre-booking advised.

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Events Latest News

Painting Classes

We will be hosting a series of Painting Classes in our centre beginning with an hour introductory session on Thursday 27th July from 7pm-8pm with subsequent sessionsย  Thursdays 7 – 9.30pm with a final exhibition class on Thursday 24th August.

The classes will cost ยฃ45 per person if you would like to reserve a place please call 028 7964 2677.

Below is an informational poster illustrating some of the work by the tutor Anne Barton.