Return of the Earls
What is the historical background to the Flight of the Earls and how is it linked with the Return of the Earls?
Why '2007' and what is Return of the Earls intended to mark?
What, in practice is going on as part of the RoTE initiative?
How can the community get involved in the programme?
What has been done to date and what is planned between now and 2007?
Who came up with the concept of RoTE?
Has any other Council ever initiated a similar kind of project?
Who is funding the RoTE project?
Who are the main local groups involved in RoTE?
In September 1607, the Earl of Tyrone (Hugh O Neill) and the Earl of Tyrconnell (Rory O'Donnell) boarded a ship at Rathmullan in County Donegal, bound for Spain. This event is known as 'The Flight of the Earls' and although the reasons behind the Earls departure has been debated for centuries, it is widely recognised as one of the most enigmatic events in Irish history.
The Flight of the Earls saw the demise of Gaelic Ireland and paved the way for the Plantation of Ulster. English and Scottish settlers were allocated land throughout the province, resulting in a population of 40,000 settlers by 1640 and stipulating a turning point in Irish life and culture.
The 'Return of the Earls' concept was born in 2002, when Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council embarked on a theme to promote reconciliation, regeneration and prosperity throughout the area in a unique form by encouraging community led projects and events which celebrate not only our shared history, but also our shared future.
Why '2007' and what is Return of the Earls intended to mark?
2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls and presents a unique opportunity to use this historical date and theme to acknowledge our "Shared History / Shared Future".
Through the Return of the Earls initiative, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council plan to celebrate the occasion by hosting a series of high scale musical, theatrical, community, sporting and historical events in association with the local community and neighbouring Councils - the highlight being the reopening of the ancient site of the O`Neill's Fort at the top of Castle Hill, which will open the site will be opened for public access for the first time in 400 years.
The year of celebration is known as Dungannon 2007 - Be Part of It and is an extension of the Return of the Earls theme.
What, in practice is going on as part of the RoTE initiative?
All Council events and funded community activities are branded with the Return of the Earls logo. To date, we have supported many community events across all sectors including Castlecaulfield Horticultural Show, Dungannon's Hallowe'en Spooktacular, Bush Road Races, Fleadh Uladh and many, many more.
The Return of the Earls committee is made up of elected members, Council officials and representatives from the tourism and community/voluntary sector. The committee meets once a month to assess written applications for funding contributions and to plan ahead for high profile events to put Dungannon and South Tyrone on the map.
At the moment, the main focus of the committee is to plan ahead for 2007. From a Council point of view, we hope to make all of our existing events bigger and better to mark such a unique occasion. These include the Charlie Donnelly Winter School in February (a literary event to commemorate the life of the Dungannon war poet), our annual Achievement Awards Ceremony in March where locals are recognised for their contribution to society, the Mayor's Pageant in May and a large scale outdoor concert in June to which we hope to attract a big name from the music industry.
Plans are also in place to open a new public park on the site of Castle Hill (at the top of Market Square). The old castle ruins will form a focal point of the park, which will also feature walkways, picnic areas and a children's play area. This will be Council's flagship project - along with the development of Ranfurly House (former Bank Buildings) as an interactive attraction, which tells the story of our shared history.
How can the community get involved in the programme?
Becoming involved in the Dungannon 2007 celebrations is only limited by the imagination. Whether you are a community group with a unique idea for an event next year, or a theatre group who wishes to stage a particular piece of drama or perhaps another organisation that shares an anniversary in 2007, we would be delighted to include your event in all our promotions. The main aim is to put together an action packed year of events that will serve our local community, and to create some bigger events to attract visitors from other regions to South Tyrone.
What has been done to date and what is planned between now and 2007?
The Mayor's Pageant in May was designed to give a flavour of the type of carnival atmosphere we hope to create in our Borough in 2007. Since then, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare a promotional plan for 2007 and beyond. We will distribute literature, install signage and promote the concept at every opportunity between now and November, when we will launch our events guide for the year ahead.
Who came up with the concept of RoTE?
In 2002, Council wished to embark on a long-term theme to promote the South Tyrone area through events and community projects. Following brain storming sessions with Councillors and officers, the Return of the Earls theme was adopted and has all party representation on its committee since.
Has any other Council ever initiated a similar kind of project?
Other Councils have created themes and projects to market their area, but Return of the Earls is now in its fifth year and has been extended to meet the anniversary associated with 2007. Council has forged links with other Council areas who share historical links with the Flight of the Earls and the Plantation of Ulster. These include Donegal County Council, Cookstown District Council and Cork County Council and we hope to arrange some events in association with these bodies to highlight the historical aspect of the occasion.
Who is funding the RoTE project?
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council is the core funder of Return of the Earls and Dungannon 2007. Through our cross border links with Donegal, we also have the potential to draw down funding from other sources. Council, in partnership with others, has been lobbying both governments via the North/South Ministerial Council seeking high-level support for activity at a local, county, regional, national and international level.
Who are the main local groups involved in RoTE?
On the Return of the Earls committee, the community sector is represented by COSTA, Health Action Zone and the tourism sector by Flavour of Tyrone. The committee has representation from each of the political parties to ensure that all sections of the community are represented. Council officials also serve the committee from the organisation's Community Relations and Communications (PR and Marketing) Units.
