Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile Omeath / Lislea Partnership
The unique Lislea-Omeath relationship is designed to raise awareness of the wider ancient Oriel region, its broad cultural significance and the stories of its people.
More than a dozen new connections linking across Oriel, from Omeath to Lislea, raising awareness of its unique cultural and heritage, have been established. From music to language to place-names and local history, people are coming together to learn more about where we come from and who we are.
This is an outline of the connections of OCU to date reinforcing awareness:
Border Spake Seamus Murphy 14th January 2025
‘Were there many at the wake?’ Stephen O’Hara 25th March 2025
Oriel Song – Crossmaglen singer, Colleen Savage introduced the children of Scoil Naomh Bríd and Scoil Naomh Lorcan to some of the Gaelic songs collected by John Hannon (1867 – 1931) and taught them a song from his collection.
Irish Language Classes for Women from Lislea and Omeath
Oriel Connects Us Launch
The Place Names Omeath / Lislea Talk: Ciaran Murchaidh, Andrew McGuinness Una Walsh and members of Cumann Staire Oméith have worked together to shape the Townlands Talk.
The Goatmen of Slieve Gullion Seamus Murphy Tuesday 20th May 2025
Educational visit to Gaelaras 3rd June 2025
Forgotten Women Úna Walsh 1st July 2025
South Armagh / Omeath History Tour 8th July 2025
Saint Patrick’s CoI Graveyard Tour Brotherhood of Affection 19th July 2025
Walking Tour of Hill Street – A History Half-Hidden 22nd July 2025
St Mary’s RC Graveyard Tour Recalling Prelates, Scribes, Patriots, Forgotten Women, Politicians and Performers 29th July 2025
Creggan Graveyard Tour: stories of poets and paupers, chieftains and clerics 19th August 2025
Mullaghbawn Village Walk, included stops at the Church and Rectory, the shirt factory, the Georgian flax store, Belmont Barracks and market stone 26th August 2025
From September through to the New Year – up and coming events include:
“Sources for Oriel’s literary heritage /Foinsí eolais ar Oidhreacht Oirghiall” Sean McClory Tuesday 16th September 2025
The Cadgers’ Pad Walk as part of The Long Grazing Acre Sunday28th September 2025
Women’s Educational visit to Belfast Tuesday 23rd September 2025
The Hidden History of Protestants and the Irish Language Stiofán Carson, Turas Belfast Wednesday 1st October 2025
The History of Religion in Ireland Miriam Moffitt – 9th 16th 23rd October 2025
Oriel Traditional Orchestra with Niamh Noade,The Girl with the Harp (Lislea) and Audrey Trainor (Omeath) Sunday 19th October 2025 @ 4pm
Charting the Decline of the Irish Language in Omeath and South Armagh Ciarán Mac Murchaidh Wednesday 15th October 2025
The Boundary Commission Cormac Moore Wednesday 5th November 2025 7pm
Irish Language Classes to be confirmed
One Peace Programme Dr Margaret Nugent – initial contact has been made. Dates to be confirmed.
Mental Health has No Borders Date to be confirmed
Full details of the evolving programme can be seen on Oriel Connects Us Facebook page and the Facebook pages of the two programme partner organisations: Lislea Community Centre and Omeath District Development
