New look Louth Hidden History app launched

A screenshot from the Louth Hidden History app

A new look and updated Louth Hidden History App has been unveiled at the County Museum in Dundalk this morning, this time 
around featuring a collaboration with Louth-based Upstate Theatre Project.

The free app which was first launched in 2012 is an important tool for tourists visiting the area as well as those based locally who are keen on learning more about the history of the region.

The County Museum has joined forces with the Upstate Theatre Project and the groups latest project ECHOES: A Community Research Project Commemorating 1912-1922.

Upstate Theatre Project was supported in 2014 by the European Union’s PEACE III Programme in creating a large community action research project in Louth which sought to empower individuals, young and old, to research their own personal background and try to find out where their own ancestors may have been during the commemorative decade of 1912 to 1922.

Now, in association with Louth County Museum, Upstate Theatre Project is delighted to present the completed app developed with the artists, historians and team of 274 community researchers.

The launch was attended with Museum Curator Brian Walsh alongside Upstate’s Declan Mallon, Maura Mullen, Cait Murphy, Sandra Gough and Pat Kerley, and Graham O’Rourke of MOR Solutions uploading the first four narrated histories.

The four personal histories are only the beginning of what is to be a 
larger archive with Upstate Theatre Project hoping to build upon this foundation and, together with new and existing community researchers across Louth, continue to develop and add to the project in the coming years of this significant commemorative decade.

Speaking at the launch, Museum Curator, Brian Walsh said: “Louth Hidden History was a completely new innovation when we launched it in 2012 and I am thrilled that with the Upstate Theatre Project it is taken a new direction.”

Also speaking at the launch Declan Mallon said: “History is often, and necessarily, mediated to us. Someone writes that history, choosing what we need to know and what we don’t. Only through personal intervention can we prevent our individual histories being lost. But where do we start?

“What happened in Ireland between 1912 and 1922 happened in a global context, a turbulent time in human history. Through this project Upstate Theatre Project hopes to begin to uncover this period of commemoration and explore the humanity of our shared histories.”

The Louth Hidden History appis now available FREE at the Apple App Store.

Arthur’s Last Hurrah coming to The Century next Friday

Diageo might have decided to pull the plug on Arthur’s Day but that doesn’t mean the event is dead and buried.

Instead, local pub The Century has decided to reinvigorate the event with a special celebration called ‘Arthur’s Last Hurrah’ on Friday evening.

The event, which is being run in connection with Thomas Mullen’s, will see local musician Henry Mac busking outside the Roden Place pub from 5.30pm in aid of SOSAD, with a BBQ being catered for by Mullen’s.

There will be music later that evening from Off The Record, while all pints on the day will be €3.50.

Burgers will also be served, while proprietor Pat Kerley will also be dishing up his famous Guinness cheesecake.

Explaining the decision to run with the event, bar manager Darren Kerley said it was his customers that urged him to do so.

“Arthur’s Day has always been a great day in the pub ever since it kicked off in 2009.

“We were sorry to see it cancelled this year but our customers had been urging me to do something anyway so I thought why not?

“It promises to be another great day and we’d love to see some of the many faces who have visited us for Arthur’s Day over the years back here on Friday, as well as some new faces hopefully,” said Darren.

For the day that’s in it…. great for Arthur your tea!

It’s Arthur’s Day and with that in mind Pat Kerley from the Century Bar has decided to try his hand at a new Guinness-inspired recipe.

Pat made headlines both locally and nationally a few years back with his acclaimed Guinness cheesecake. This time he may have gone one better though, having produced a batch of Arthur’s Day cup cakes.

These delicious little treats are being served in the Century Bar at Roden Place for just €4 with a cup of tea or coffee.

Meanwhile, pints in the pub today are just €3.50.

Quaglino’s serving no more!

Pat Kerley, outside The Century Bar

Quaglino’s Restaurant, which was located above the Century Bar in Roden Place, has closed its doors.

The decision to close the restaurant came following the retirement of owner Pat Kerley, who was undoubtedly one of the finest chefs in the town for a long number of years.

Quaglino’s used to be located on Clanbrassil Street, where the Golden Dragon is currently located.

The Century Bar will continue to operate as normal, under the management of Pat’s son Darren.