Park, Co Derry
From the collection of
From the collection of
Visit the area of Park in County Derry and explore the history and people.
Joe visits the village of Park in the Sperrin Mountains area of County Derry. Joe tells us of the history of the area and the importance to the area of the mill run by the Quigley family. Local historian, Jane Dunton, stands beside the dilapidated remains of the mill and remembers conversations with the last of the Quigleys who shared with her the history of the mill during the 19th Century. She also tells of the introduction of electricity at night time in the village thanks to the mill. Joe shares that the mill was demolished shortly after filming.
Grace McKenna then tells Joe of life slightly beyond the village where she grew up without electricity as the mill's provision only extended so far. Joe walks past a neolithic wedge tomb. Local farmer, Jim Conway, walks with Joe through the hillside fields and recalls a ferocious localised storm back in 1970 which cut a new channel for the river and sent huge boulders along the way. Joe visits Colin Craig who has converted his farm into a American western-style ranch with his son Lee. They then go out riding on horseback on a trail through the woods.
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.