Well known local broadcaster Harry Lee will present a special two hour show on LMFM on Christmas Day featuring extracts from his popular Gathering Heritage project, which he ran last year.
On the day LMFM will be playing selected highlights from the project audio archive including interviews with the likes of Jim Corr, Tommy Smyth, John Moore and lots more of Louth’s sons and daughters.
“We are only too happy to air this fascinating documentary especially at this time of year when people reminisce of times gone by,” said Eamonn Doyle from LMFM.
Specially narrated by Harry Lee the documentary will be a journey of personal stories guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. The project is seeking to expand in 2015 and listeners can contribute their own stories directly via http://www.gatheringheritage.com and via the Audio Boom app.
The show will air from 3pm to 5pm on Christmas Day so be sure to check it out.
The people behind last year’s Gathering History Project have launched a new Gathering Heritage Animated Series, which captures the colourful and meaningful stories from a bygone Ireland on film.
It is the aim of those involved to capture and convey the life stories of people who have lived interesting lives through an animated series.
A one minute teaser has been made, which can be viewed above, but it is their long term goal to create a five minute episode to a professional level ready for both TV and the web.
The one minute animatic is a showcase of part of a life story from Eileen White, who moved to the UK in her teens and spent most of her life away from Dundalk. In the clip she talks to Harry Lee and recounts her early days in Dundalk.
A campaign has been launched to raise €11,500 to create a full five minute professional episode. You can help fund the campaign here if you’d like to bring this series to life.
According to the organisers: “We need to fund the animation process which takes a lot of time and loving care. This kind of love costs money but it’s worth it. We also need to pay to record the interviews, edit the recordings and capture the heritage digitally, but the end product is scalable, sellable and enduring, capturing Irish memories of old and giving it a permanent place in our future.”
Anyone who would like to help out can contact Jason McGee on 086 3844472 or email info@gatheringhistory.com
Harry Lee and Jason McGee of the Gathering History Project are looking for people planning a trip back to Dundalk for Christmas to get in touch with them to share their memories of the town.
The Gathering History Project has proven to be hugely successful with Jim Corr and John Moore amongst those who have participated so far.
Harry Lee of The Gathering History Project has released his latest interview with Sr Rosemary Martin.
As part of the 47-minute interview, Harry chats with Sr Martin about growing up in Dublin Street, leaving Ireland a 16, becoming a nun and living in the US.
Louth’s Gathering History Project has successfully made it through to the Arthur Guinness Projects funding scheme.
Project Co-ordinators Harry Lee and Jason McGee along with County Museum curator Brian Walsh are now asking for the public’s support in helping the unique Louth-based project be in with a chance to share in the €3m fund.
The aim of the Gathering History Project is to create an historical archive using the voices of those from the county who have left these shores and who are happily sharing their life stories.
To date, participants include ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ Hollywood director John Moore, who filmed his own interview in LA, speaking of the people who led him on to a phenomenal career.
Jim Corr sparked international speculation of a Corrs reunion in his interview with the Gathering History Project – hinting it was 95% certain the group would reunite.
Most recently, Louth native and US sports broadcaster , Tommy Smyth, spoke of his hopes for US Vice President Joe Biden to visit Louth and also of the importance of Mr Biden and other senior US figures acknowledging and promoting their Irish roots.
Initially a project under The Gathering initiative, it is now hoped to continue on and expand the Louth project which is where the Arthur Guinness Project funding would be invaluable.
Harry Lee explains: “I am hearing fascinating stories and we have received some great international attention for this project, portraying Louth in a very positive light. To receive Arthur Guinness Project funding would mean we could target continuing with the project beyond The Gathering year.”
Jason McGee adds: “The proof of The Gathering’s success will be to extend initiatives beyond 2013. That is what we are hoping to do – build a legacy. The Gathering History Louth Project can be extended and indeed expanded across the country. There is amazing potential there and we would love to go forward with it.”
County Museum curator, Brian Walsh is eager to see the continuation of The Gathering History Project and believes the Arthur Guinness Project fund could play a major role. “We are more than happy to be involved with the Gathering History Project and facilitate Harry’s interviews here in the Museum.
“What is important to remember is that many people are in Ireland right now seeking out their genealogy. The Gathering History Project is a major genealogy tool of the future. It’s not just seeking out information on paper. These are the voices of generations. Those who come after us will be able to listen to their relatives and hear the tone and emotion in their voice when they speak. You can’t put all that down on paper.”
To vote for the Gathering History Louth initiative for inclusion in the Arthur Guinness Project fund click here.
Talk of the Town 