Over 200 local school children have taken part in a week long dig at Hill of The O’Neill and Ranfurly House.

 

The archology themed project, ‘Digging the Past’, was facilitated by archaeologists from the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queens University Belfast, some of whom had originally participated in the BBC’s ‘Time Team’ three day dig that took place at the site ten years ago in 2007.

Classes from ten local schools took part in ‘Digging the Past’, which forms a strand of the heritage education programme offered by Mid Ulster District Council at the Hill of The O’Neill and Ranfurly House, between 22nd to 26th May. The schools were:   Newmills Primary School; St Mary’s Primary School, Lisbuoy, Carland; Gaelscoil Aodha Rua, Dungannon; Gaelscoil Uí Néill, Coalisland; Dungannon Primary School; St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon; Killyman Primary School; Laghey Primary School; Fivemiletown College; St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley.

The pupils were given an insight into the practice of archaeology and carried out practical tasks, such as archaeological planning exercises on the Hill of The O’Neill, one of the most historically significant sites in Mid Ulster, and were able to study of a number of relevant artefacts and maps held within the exhibition on site.  The children also found out about the role of the archaeologist and discovered how each layer of earth offers up its own unique clues about the past.

Creativity was also very much in evidence as each class created 3D maps of the Hill of The O’Neill, which focused on the many stories of the tunnels under the Hill, in workshops that were facilitated by the artist Hazel Boland.

Former Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Sharon McAleer, joined pupils from Ballygawley and Fivemiletown as they participated in the last day of the programme, saying, “It’s wonderful to see our young people get the chance to be hands on with local history. Greater recognition of the complex ways that past events unfold and impact upon contemporary and future lives make the past more relevant to our young people and contribute to their education in vital ways. I am delighted to hear that this project will become a permanent strand of the heritage education programme and encourage schools to take part again next year.”

Teachers, principals and educators can find out more about the heritage education programme offered by contacting Peter Lant, Education Officer, at peter.lant@midulstercouncil.org or telephone 028 8772 8600.