BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
The Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew last week officially launched the "Visual Imagery" stone chair project at Carn Rock near Roslea.
Overseen by the Clones /Erne East Partnership, the launch was of one of a series of 27 individually hand-carved stone chairs to be placed throughout the towns and villages of the Clones /Erne East area which straddles the Border.
The Project represents an investment of £450,490, to which Interreg IIIA Ireland / Northern Ireland Programme provided a contribution of £337,867 through the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in NI and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in Ireland.
The project has also received funding from Fermanagh District Council, Clones Town Council and Monaghan County Council.
Carn Rock, near Roslea was chosen as the location for the main 'stone chairs' launch as it is seen by many as the thread that links the Clones Erne East region. It is reported that on a clear day, all nine counties of Ulster can be seen from the viewing point at Carnview.
A spokesman for the Clones Erne East Partnership, which commissioned and located the chairs, described the Carn Rock location as, 'absolutely fantastic'.
"We were delighted that we managed to place a chair at the very top, so creating an absolute "must see" for everyone to visit', he stated.
"The Clones Erne East Partnership wants to develop an 'area Identity, and, through this initiative, we hope to raise awareness of the area, create a positive identity and a sense of belonging and pride for the residents, and promote the area to tourists', the spokesman added.
At the launch, the Minister said she was particularly proud to be here in her own constituency as the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, to unveil 'this beautifully hand carved stone chair'.
" I am well acquainted with the excellent work that Clones Erne East Partnership has been carrying out over past few years, and I am aware of the real benefits that the "Laying the Foundations" project has had at grass roots level in this cross-border area."
Councillor Peter McAleer, the Chairman of the Partnership said the launch represented the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past few years, and he suggest that Carnmore provided the ideal location to launch this memorable initiative as the symbol of progression in this historic area."
The Treasurer of the Partnership, Fermanagh Councillor, Thomas O'Reilly, added: "Through this unique signage project, we have developed a strong brand image that will clearly identify the area for local residents and will also enhance the tourism potential of the area."
Some 30 schools in the catchment area were involved in creating 'time capsules' which have been placed inside the chairs.
Each capsule contains a computer memory stick that holds essays written by the children entitled, 'A Day in My Life, 2007'. In addition to the children's stories, local people have also contributed items such as photographs, news articles, books about the area, and other documents of interest. It is intended that the capsules will be opened in 50 years' time and provide a snapshot of life in the area in 2007. The Carn Rock area is shrouded in history. Many formal buildings in the area are built with Sliagh Beagh sandstone, most of which came from Carn Rock itself. The great Cairn of Sliagh Beagh (Ireland's Lost Mountain) is mentioned in a footnote in the Annals of the Four Masters, and it is believed that this was the burial site of Bith, one of the very first settlers in Ireland.
According to Celtic mythology, Bith was the son of Noah, and landed on the shores of Ireland before the floods along with two men, Lladhra and Fintan, his daughter Ceasair, and 50 of her most beautiful handmaidens. He is said the have been buried at Cairn Rock.
Mythology also suggests that this was the home of Dalach, king of the fairies in Ulster.
The placing of the stone chairs over the past month has enthused the local community who see them as a symbol of hope for the future for an area which has suffered over the past 40 years.
"It was in an effort to reverse the decline and harness the energy and commitment of the people from the area", a Partnership spokesman explained, " that we are now laying the foundations for future sustainable progress and development and encouraging people to work together to help ourselves.
The Clones Erne East Partnership(CEEP) is a local authority led cross border initiative. It was established in 2002 by the three partner Councils; Clones Town Council, Monaghan County Council and Fermanagh District Council.
The objective of the Partnership is to provide a mechanism to work together on issues on a cross border basis, and to try collectively to impact positively on the social and economic development of the area.
