Join the Oral History Network of Ireland’s free community event in Mayo

Join the Oral History Network of Ireland (OHNI) for a free community heritage event exploring how physical objects, sporting achievements, and lived experiences unlock local history and collective memory.

Supported by The Heritage Council, this event – entitled Magic Moments, Medals & Memorabilia: Sport and Oral Heritage – offers a fantastic lineup of speakers, a practical oral history masterclass, and an opportunity to develop your network of formal and informal support.

This interactive day will give you the practical tools and confidence to record your own community oral history projects while learning how others have brought theirs to life.

It takes place in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, on Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, with free admission (pre-booking required; full day and afternoon-only options available). As there is limited space available, advance booking via Ticket Tailor is strongly advised. Refreshments will be available on the day.

While participants will learn fundamental oral history techniques and tools to start capturing stories in their own community, they will also hear from a panel of speakers exploring regional history and community-led preservation – including a representative from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland highlighting their inspiring Sporting Memories project.

In addition, Daniel Carey will introduce a new GAA-focused oral history project, sharing audio clips reflecting on Mayo’s rich sporting culture, and Linda Fitzgibbon will explore how physical objects serve as tangible symbols of our collective memory and how oral history can unlock their stories, turning them into vital primary sources to record one's own lived history.

Attendees are also invited to bring along an item of personal sporting significance, such as an artefact, photograph and memorabilia, and share its story. They will have the opportunity to record a short oral history interview with the team and have their object professionally photographed.

For general information about the Oral History Network of Ireland and to find out more, visit https://oralhistorynetworkireland.ie.