Ballykelly, Co Derry
From the collection of
Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone
- Omagh
- 2007-09-11
Ballykelly, Co Derry
Visit the area of Ballykelly in County Derry and explore the history and people.
Joe travels to Ballykelly, a village in County Derry in the second part of this look into the area's heritage. Joe explains how the fertile farming land between Ballykelly and the sea at Lough Foyle was once underwater. Andy Sides recounts how the land was reclaimed to be farmed on. Adrian Barr talks Joe through the problems of having to pump water off his farmland which is beneath sea level behind the man-made dams which allowed the land to be reclaimed.
Jim Barr recalls the World Ploughing Championship which was held on his land. Joe recounts some of the history of the local airfield, RAF Ballykelly, and its wartime role and association with Shackleton bombers. Joe visits the Shackleton and Aviation Museum, where Norman Thorpe tells him about the famous tractor inventor and Ireland's first aviator, Harry Ferguson, crashing his plane on the beach outside.
At the disused RAF Ballykelly, John McFarlane and Norman give Joe a tour of the huge hangar and tell him tales of Paddy the Pigeon, who was awarded the Dickin Medal for animal bravery during World War II.
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.
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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
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Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone
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Lough Swilly, Co Donegal
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Rathlin, Co Antrim
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Bailieborough, Co Cavan
11
Ardkeen, Co Down
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Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh
13
Ardara, Co Donegal
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Ballygawley, Co Tyrone
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Galloon, Co Fermanagh
16
Kircubbin, Co Down
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Arranmore, Co Donegal
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Virginia, Co Cavan
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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
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Monea, Co Fermanagh
35
Dromintee, Co Armagh
36
Kingscourt, Co Cavan
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Muff Fair, Co Cavan
38