Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We are delighted to bring you this week’s edition of our Newsletter celebrating music, history, nature and poetry from Northern Ireland.

To start the weekend, join Linen Hall library on Friday evening as they host “Ghosts of the Somme”, a talk which will reflect on commemoration and peacebuilding on the island of Ireland. After a weekend spent appreciating biodiversity with the Marble Arch Caves, make sure to tune into the John Hewitt Society’s poetry readings. Finally, why not relax and unwind with a midweek performance from Newry Chamber Orchestra.

We hope that you are keeping well and enjoy this week’s Newsletter. As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes Lynsey Moore, Director

Live! In Your Lounge by Newry Chamber Music

The Newry Chamber Orchestra, supported by the Arts Council Northern Ireland and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, has moved online. A new ‘Live! In your Lounge’ event including chamber music, poetry readings and inside knowledge from musicians premieres every Wednesday 8:30 pm MEST on their YouTube Channel. You can also enjoy past editions of the half-hour concerts whilst waiting for the next one.

Ghosts of the Somme with Jonathan Evershed

Linen Hall Library hosts an engaging online talk around commemoration, peacebuilding and a shared history this Friday, 9 July at 5pm. Scholar Jonathan Evershed uses ‘Ghosts of the Somme’ to reflect on cross-community commemoration on the island of Ireland. Jonathan Evershed is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Government and Politics, University College Cork and a visiting fellow at the Institute of Irish Studies, Queen’s University Belfast.

Biodiversity in your backyard

March Arch Caves Unesco Geopark in County Fermanagh has provided a range of ideas to keep the whole family busy in the garden. They have created online activities which include instructions on how to build a bug house or make a bird feeder as well as inspiration for your very own gardening projects. No matter how big or small a space, the biodiversity checklist will help you know where to look!

John Hewitt Poetry Clips

Each week the John Hewitt Society, which promotes literature, arts and culture inspired by the ideas of Belfast born poet John Hewitt, share poetry clips from poets who contributed to public events organised by the Society. The unique collection of short videos includes readings by a diverse range of poets, from internationally renowned through to emerging writers. This week features poets Tom French and Paula Cunningham.

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