From Bosco mugs to farming tools – New Wexford project to explore the connections between people and objects
'The Things Around Us' is a brand new community-collection project exploring the objects in the hands of ordinary people that reveal the social history of Kilanerin and district.
The project has been devised by artist/folklorist Michael Fortune in conjunction with David Williams and Conor Murphy from Kilanerin Tidy Towns. During the month of June they will be hosting a series of pop-up road-show style sessions in Kilanerin Hall, inviting people to bring their object along to tell Michael and the team all about it.
The project will be centred around people and the objects they hold and cherish within their homes, their farms, their yards and their lives and invite them to bring forward objects to share their stories and spark memories and conversations across the ages. These may range from old black diamonds; used from funeral customs, old farming implements or to more recent objects such as an old Bosco mug or to the first mobile phone ever owned.
Every single aspect of Irish social history will be explored through the fascinating objects brought to the roadshows and organisers hope to widen conversations around our lives and our history. As the village has become home to new residents (from Ireland and abroad) in recent years, efforts will be focused on engaging new residents to support and strengthen the sense of community in the area.
'So if you have an old letter, an old tool or anything with a story, come along to Kilanerin and share it with Michael, Dave and Conor where they will take photos and record its history,' a spokesperson for the project said. An exhibition of the findings will be presented as part of the Kilanerin Heritage Weekend in early September.
The road show session dates are: Sunday June 8 (12pm-3pm); Thursday June 12 (6.30pm to 9.30pm); Sunday June 15 (12pm-3pm); Sunday June 22 (12pm-3pm)
The project is supported by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council via their 'Creative Communities Scheme'.
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