Ballygawley, Co Tyrone
From the collection of
Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone
- Omagh
- 2007-09-11
Ballygawley, Co Tyrone
Visit the area of Ballgawley in County Tyrone and explore the history and people.
Joe Mahon visits the County Tyrone village of Ballygawley. Frank McAleer shares his memories of the creation of the roundabout in 1959 which enabled a bypass for increasing traffic. Joe walks among the ruins of Ballygawley House, former home of the Stewart family, who acted as landlords in the area for a hundred years.
Gerry Loughran shows Joe a series of weirs built on the river to enable migrating salmon moving upstream. He recalls how his blacksmith grandfather, Joseph, brought electricity to traders of the area by harnessing the power of the river in 1923. Local garage mechanic Noble Patterson shares the story of how he invented a new type of metal cage to help shattered legs recover following his own horrific motorcycle crash.
Joe visits Martray Manor House, former home to another of the local landowning dynasty, George Vesey Stewart, who became a famous pioneer in New Zealand. Reuben and Marjorie Mulligan demonstrate how to make soda bread the old-fashioned way on a cast iron pan hanging over an open turf fire. They maintain a cottage decorated in country antiques and show off their collection of vintage cars and machinery.
Benny O'Hanlon shows Joe how he transformed the hillsides around Todd's Leap into an adventure park for off-road vehicles. Thomas James McKenna shares his memories of a lifetime on the family farm.
Lesser Spotted Ulster is a long-running and popular programme that visits the places many of us have heard of but never been to. Presenter Joe Mahon gently explores what makes a place what it is.
Tags
Lesser Spotted Ulster
Exploring the townlands and hinterlands of Ulster through landscape, history and local traditions as a torch is shone upon the roads less travelled.
Joe Mahon is an engaging host as he catalogues his journeys around towns and villages rarely mentioned in the news but rich in their own stories, legends, and tales of past industries and events. Using local people as his guides, Joe delves into the heritage and customs from yesteryear, documenting many before they pass from human memory.
Starting in 1995, Lesser Spotted Ulster chronicled the regional variances of life around the six counties of Northern Ireland which, together with Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan, make up the historic boundaries of Ulster. With gentle panoramas of beautiful Irish countryside, played out under a lilting soundtrack, the series was a staple of the Ulster Television schedules for nearly 20 years.
This selection of programmes from the series serves as a testimony to the rural culture of Ulster and a resource for anyone with an interest in the past and disappearing traditions.
38 videos in this collection
1
Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone
2
Drumquin, Co Tyrone
3
Belle Isle, Co Fermanagh
4
Loughguile, Co Antrim
5
Beragh, Co Tyrone
6
Ballywalter, Co Down
7
Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone
8
Lough Swilly, Co Donegal
9
Rathlin, Co Antrim
10
Bailieborough, Co Cavan
11
Ardkeen, Co Down
12
Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh
13
Ardara, Co Donegal
14
Ballygawley, Co Tyrone
15
Galloon, Co Fermanagh
16
Kircubbin, Co Down
17
Arranmore, Co Donegal
18
Virginia, Co Cavan
19
Virginia, Co Cavan
20
Warrenpoint, Co Down
21
Ballybay, Co Monaghan
22
Killeeshil, Co Tyrone
23
Rostrevor, Co Down
24
Park, Co Derry
25
Hilltown, Co Down
26
Glenavy, Co Antrim
27
Urney, Co Tyrone
28
Ballykelly, Co Derry
29
Ballykelly, Co Derry
30
Ramelton, Co Donegal
31
Annaclone, Co Down
32
Donaghmore, Co Tyrone
33
Belturbet, Co Cavan
34
Monea, Co Fermanagh
35
Dromintee, Co Armagh
36
Kingscourt, Co Cavan
37
Muff Fair, Co Cavan
38