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Facelift for Buncrana Lighthouse 25.01.10

THE historical and cultural heritage of Buncrana and West Inishowen is getting a facelift thanks to the activity of a group of local volunteers.
From tidying up Friar Hegarty's historic grave at Ned's Point to the ongoing restoration of the old Buncrana Lighthouse, the West Inishowen History and Heritage Group have been busy in 2009.
The group will hold its AGM on February 11, in Scoil Mhuire Library and everyone is invited to come along to see what they have achieved so far and hope to achieve in the coming year.
Among this year's triumphs was securing funding to restore the old lighthouse removed from Buncrana Pier last year.
West Inishowen History and Heritage Group PRO, Aidan Grant explained: "The Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs along with Inishowen Development Partnership have provided this funding.
Buncrana Lighthouse which is currently being restored.
The old lighthouse is currently being restored by a local engineering firm.
"When the work is finished, the lighthouse will be presented to Buncrana Town Council as a gift to the town. It is hoped the Council will identify a suitable site and erect the lighthouse as a monument to mark the maritime history of Lough Swilly."
Fr Hegarty's grave at Ned's Point, Buncrana, which has been tidied up by the West Inishowen History and Heritage Group. The group has also given the Fr. Hegarty memorial a much needed facelift.
"The memorial was starting to look a bit uncared for but it now looks much better," added Aidan.
The group's most frequent activity is the delivery of local history talks in Buncrana Library regularly throughout the year.
Previous topics included the Donegal Churches of Liam McCormick; the Buncrana herring industry in the 1920s and the Lough Swilly Railway.
The local heritage group are also involved in a cross-border multi-media initiative to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Ulster Plantation in association with an historical group from Co Derry, the Derry and Donegal Museum services and the Nerve Centre in Derry.
Meanwhile, in the coming year, they hope to host regular talks, walks and Swilly boat tours, publish newsletters and "do our bit" to attract tourism including supporting a new campaign to highlight the importance of Grianan of Aileach in Burt.
"If all goes according to plan, we will publish a booklet identifying sites of local interest around Inishowen for Summer 2010. There are many important sites around the peninsula that a lot of people are unaware of. The booklet will cover areas such as Urris, Desertegney, Buncrana, Fahan, Inch and Burt. This will be of interest to tourists and locals," added the group PRO.
The group is seeking new members. Membership is only €10 for the year. If you would like more information on the group, please contact Adrian Grant on 086 0885193 or visit www.buncranahistory.com .
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