‘County Monaghan Genealogy – ‘Home to the Little Hills’ A unique project entitled ‘County Monaghan Genealogy – ‘Home to the Little Hills’ was officially launched last night at the Market House in Monaghan as part of The Gathering 2013. In attendance at the launch were the Mayor of County Monaghan, Seán Conlon, Clones Town Councillor, Pat Treanor, business people, local historians and genealogists, and visitors from New York, Belfast, and Dublin. The project’s website, monaghangenealogy.ie was also officially launched. Grace Moloney of Clogher Historical Society/Cumann Seanchais Chlochair, the project promoter, stated that “the project will provide two 4-day genealogy courses in October for tourists tracing their County Monaghan ancestors. The courses are designed for individuals and groups with Monaghan ancestry living overseas and members of Irish societies and social clubs abroad. The project will not only help visitors to trace the origins of their families, it will give a boost to the local economy. Visitors will need accommodation, places to eat and socialise, entertainment, transport and more than anything else, a warm welcome. Local businesses can help meet these needs and add opportunities to enhance the experience for visitors. We have also invited public representatives and members of the community who might know people living abroad who would be interested in coming to Monaghan in October.’ John Toland of Cavan-Monaghan LEADER highlighted that this project is the most significant genealogy training project in the country and saw it as an excellent opportunity to attract over 200 visitors to Monaghan. This would bring a boost to the economy in the autumn and would position Monaghan to attract genealogical tourists not only in 2013, but in the years to follow. John Hamrock of Ancestor Network, the course facilitator, provided details on the depth of the speakers involved in the programme, the quality of the venues selected, and the information on the website, to make this project a success in 2013 and the years beyond. Speakers will include Theo McMahon who has been the leading force in researching the genealogy of County Monaghan families for many years, Paddy Fitzgerald of the Centre for Migration Studies in Omagh and Catriona Crowe of the National Archives. This project is organised by Clogher Historical Society/Cumann Seanchais Chlochair in co-operation with the County Monaghan Gathering Committee (Heritage sub-committee). Vital to the success of the initiative is the support of Cavan-Monaghan LEADER, the project’s major funder. The project is also being supported by Monaghan Genealogy and the County Monaghan Fund. The project will be delivered by Ancestor Network Ltd, a professional genealogy company with wide experience in delivering genealogy courses to the diaspora. Substantial funding for the project has resulted in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for overseas visitors to come to Monaghan to trace their roots, experience the warmth of a Monaghan welcome and explore its rich culture and history. If you are a native of Monaghan or if you know someone who might be interested in attending the courses, detailed information is available on the monaghangenealogy.ie website and from John Hamrock, [email protected], Tel: +353 87 050 5296. John would be happy to talk also to local businesses wishing to offer additional opportunities for those who will attend the courses.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:37:27 +0000
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