Leitrim Genealogy Centre is organising its fourth Roots Festival to be held in September 2013.
The Irish Family History Foundation has sent the following information:
“Leitrim Genealogy Centre is organising a fourth Leitrim Roots Festival for September 2013.
Leitrim Genealogy Centre
“The centre was set up in 1986 to deal with enquiries from people who wished to trace their Leitrim ancestry and is the official genealogy service for County Leitrim. We are part of the Irish Family History Foundation’s network of centres throughout Ireland and we provide a full time professional genealogy service for County Leitrim.
“The difficulty faced by many people who travelled from many lands to trace their Leitrim ancestors was that source material was scattered throughout the county and elsewhere. In the years since the foundation of the centre we have been collecting, indexing and computerising all the major sources for family history research, work that continues at present.
“It is estimated that there are one million people in the United States alone, with Leitrim Ancestry. It is hard to believe that a county with a population of over 31,000 people could have such extensive links with another country. There are also large numbers in England, Canada and Australia with Leitrim ancestry.
Leitrim Roots Festival
“The Leitrim Roots Festival is different to other festivals and coach tours because it is a festival of heritage and culture with a strong emphasis on genealogy. Visitors will be guided around the county that their ancestors came from, visiting sites of interest and of relevance. It is a week-long programme in which they will engage with the local communities and find out more about the county their ancestors came from. This festival will also be attractive to people who wish to have a genuine Irish experience.
“From research that was conducted through previous such events it was evident that people wanted more of a cultural experience, to meet more locals and be a part of Leitrim for the duration of their stay. The programme for 2013 will tick all these boxes with a day specifically set aside for people to meet with locals relevant to the area of their ancestors. People who were born in Leitrim will also find this festival of great interest, as it is often said that many Leitrim people do not know their own county well enough and the many things there are to see and experience in the county.
Festival events
“The Festival will take place from 20th to 28th September 2013. A sample of events include:-
- Arigna Mining Experience;
- Hurling expo;
- Visit to Genealogy Centre;
- St. Georges Heritage Centre, Carrick on Shannon;
- Storytelling at Sean Mac Diarmada Homestead;
- Folk evening at Carrigallen;
- Trip down memory lane with Showband stars.
“For any further information please contact:-
Leitrim Genealogy Centre, Main Street, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, Eire
Telephone: 00353(0)719644012. Email: info@leitrimroots.com
“Or the offices of Leitrim Tourism which is a partner in this event:-
Leitrim Tourism, The Barrel Store, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Telephone: 00353(0)719620170. E-mail: info@enjoyleitrim.com
“There will be an early booking discount facility available, details of which will be published shortly.”
Reblogged this on Chips Off the Old Block and commented:
As someone with some Leitrim Co., Ireland, roots I was glad to come across Alan Stewart’s post about the upcoming (September 2013) Leitrim Roots Festival. Sounds like a lot of fun and wish I could go. Alan has a great blog, by the way, with tons of great information for those researching their English and/or Irish roots.