Cuimhneamh

08/10/2026

MICHAEL J. MURPHY WINTER SCHOOL 2026:
Thurs 19th - Sat 21st Nov.
Ti Chulainn Cultural Centre, Mullaghbane.

Cuimhneamh Arts and Heritage Group are delighted to announce their 'Programme of Events' for this year's Michael J. Murphy Winter School, a veritable feast of stories, film, talks, and project launches.

More details to follow regarding each anticipated event including biographies for our wonderful guest speakers.
Feast your eyes on our special features poster, and make plans with friends and family to attend and participate in as many of our varied events as you wish. We look forward to seeing you over this exciting weekend. Self Catering Accommodation available on-site in Ti Chulainn Cultural Centre.
Regards from all on the Cuimhneamh committee.

All events are FREE to attend. Donations welcome.
Refreshments served.

02/10/2026

17/09/2026

Volunteer Archaeologists Wanted!

Have you ever wanted to take part in a real archaeological excavation?

This September, the Centre for Community Archaeology at Queen's University Belfast is bringing the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) to the Ring of Gullion, and we're looking for local volunteers to help uncover the past at Killyloughran, Creggan.

Volunteer Sessions ⏰ 1.00pm - 3.30pm

Available dates: ✅ 22 September ✅ 24 September ✅ 28 September ✅ 29 September ✅ 30 September

No previous experience is required. Full guidance and supervision will be provided throughout the excavation.

To book your place visit https://ringofgullion.org/news/help-uncover-the-mystery-of-killyloughrans-lost-church/

⚠️ Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Come along and help uncover another chapter in the story of the Ring of Gullion!

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Rural Health Partnership An Tobar Wellness Centre Crossmaglen Community Association Culloville community centre Culloville Blues Gac Silverbridge Gfc Dorsey Community Association New Town Together Mens Shed Newtownhamilton Community Association Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark Creggan Local History Society

10/09/2026

Check out the latest blog from the Now We're Talking Project exploring the series of podcasts produced by Nerve Centre and the project volunteers! 🎙

The group took inspiration from the broadcasting careers of folklorist, Michael J Murphy and writer, Sam Hanna Bell, interviewing individuals connected with both men and their work.

🔗 Listen to the podcasts here - https://rss.com/podcasts/now-we-re-talking-podcast-series-exploring-the-life-and-work-of-michael-j-murphy-writer-and-folk/

🔗Read the latest blog post here - https://www.proni.gov.uk/publications/now-were-talking-blog

Cuimhneamh The National Archives Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann/ The National Folklore Collection

16/07/2026

28/06/2026

CUIMHNEAMH OPPOSES CASTLETOWN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Slieve Gullion heritage body Cuimhneamh has lent its support to the campaign against housing around Dún Dealgan, the ancient fortress site known as Cúchulainn’s Castle at Castletown, Dundalk. The heritage group said:

“In a proper democracy no one should be forced to choose between homes and heritage. Dún Dealgan is an inextricable part of the history, pre-history, mythology and folklore of the Plain of Muirhevna, the Cooley Peninsula and all the hills and valleys that surround Slieve Gullion.

Plans for a massive estate of more than 1000 houses are simply monstrous, and do not become less so just because the developers, Grandspect Ltd, have thrown in mention of a token “Heritage Park”. On a site like this the landscape itself is an integral element of heritage: once it is destroyed, the other elements lose some of their value. It cannot just be repackaged and sold back to us by a development company which regards heritage not as a value but as an obstacle or problem to be surmounted or got around.

We urge our members and supporters and all the people of the Slieve Gullion area to make the trip to Castletown and see the scene of this proposed desecration for themselves. We hope that they will then support the UPLIFT petition below and we would ask as many as possible to make their own submission against the proposal to Louth County Council."

The proposed construction of over 1,000 homes beside the site risks permanently damaging the visual character, heritage value, and archaeological integrity of the area. There are also longstanding local accounts of possible underground tunnels and archaeological features beneath the castle grounds t...

25/06/2026

REMINDER for this evening folks: AGM at 7pm. If anyone has an interest in local history and culture, or in the works of local folklorist, Michael J Murphy, why not come along for a bit of craic and some light refreshments 😃

19/06/2026

Last opportunity to reserve tickets for our Film Night tomorrow evening, featuring a newly restored episode of 'Ulster in Focus' covering Michael J. Murphy's life as a folklore collector. The evening will conclude with 'The Shocking Truth' a film created by the children of Dromintee Primary School, inspired by the works of Murphy.

Cuimhneamh are delighted to announce, in conjunction with PRONI and the Nerve Centre, a special screening event at Tí Chulainn Mullaghbawn, celebrating two important cultural voices, Michael J. Murphy and Sam Hanna Bell on Saturday 20th of June at 7pm.

Opening the triple bill is a newly restored episode from the BBC NI series Ulster in Focus, featuring Murphy reflecting on his work as a folklore collector. Filmed in South Armagh, the programme offers a rich celebration of local people, their stories and traditions.

This will be followed by a BBC Radio Ulster interview with Sam Hanna Bell, in which he reflects on his writing life and his role as a Features Producer with BBC NI, complemented by a screening of archival footage.

The programme concludes with the screening of 'The Shocking Truth', a short film created by pupils from Dromintee Primary School, inspired by the work of Michael J. Murphy.

The evening will also feature contributions by our own secretary, Kevin 'Ned' Murphy.

Tickets are free and open to all, but booking is required:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-were-talking-michael-j-murphy-and-sam-hanna-bell-on-screen-tickets-1988404521450

14/06/2026

📽️ 🎞️ This coming week sees a celebration of two of Northern Ireland’s most important cultural voices, Michael J. Murphy and Sam Hanna Bell, through a series of special screenings as part of Docs Ireland 🔍🎬

Screenings include a newly restored episode from the BBC NI series Ulster in Focus — featuring Murphy reflecting on his work as a folklore collector — and a BBC Radio Ulster interview with Sam Hanna Bell, in which he reflects on his writing life and his role as a Features Producer with BBC Northern Ireland. The programme concludes with the screening of 'The Shocking Truth', a short film created by pupils from Dromintee Primary School, inspired by the work of Michael J. Murphy.

🗓️ Thursday, 18 June, 1pm–3pm
📍 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), Belfast

🗓️ Saturday, 20 June, 7pm–8.30pm
📍 Ti Chulainn, Mullaghbawn

👉 Book tickets (registration required): https://nervecentre.org/whats-on/now-were-talking-at-docs-ireland

These events are delivered as part of Now We're Talking, a partnership between Nerve Centre and PRONI.

12/06/2026

Cuimhneamh is an organisation with the aims of raising awareness of the life and work of Michael J. Murphy - writer; broadcaster; folkorist and chronicler of the lives of ordinary communities in the Slieve Gullion, Rathlin and Tyrone areas.