Arranmore, Co Donegal

From the collection of

Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive
Launched in 2000, Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive spans from 1897 to the present day and currently contains an ever-expanding catalogue of 13,000 items. It comprises material from a variety of depositors including feature films, sport, documentaries, animation, amateur footage, light entertainment, and a significant proportion of broadcast material from the UTV Archive.

Arranmore, Co Donegal

This video can only be viewed in libraries

Find your nearest library

Visit the area of Arranmore in County Donegal and explore the history and people.

Presenter Joe Mahon visits Arranmore Island off the north west coast of County Donegal. Dr Kevin Quinn, the local GP, walks along the beach with Joe and tells him about one of his predecessors as island doctor who looked after typhoid victims in the late 19th Century before succumbing himself. Jerry Early tells Joe how his family emigrated to the US but returned to Arranmore when he was a small child. Andrew Early then recalls how salmon fishing began on the island and how the tradition has died.

In a ruined lightboat station, Joe finds a memorial to those lost at sea and then recounts the harrowing story of the Arranmore Disaster when nineteen lives were lost including thirteen from the Gallagher family. Annie Bonner tells Joe about the setting up of the first ferry service to the island and how it changed life for the islanders.

Nora Flanagan shows Joe a hanging patchwork quilt made by a women's group on the island and explains the story of the images decorated on it. Connie McCauley walks with Joe telling him about the difficulties of delivering the mail on an island where so many people have the same name. Joe visits the Atlantic coast side of the island to speak to Charlie Boyle about his work as the lighthouse attendant.

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

From the collection

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

Cushendun, Co Antrim

View full collection