O'Neill Country Historical Society

Public benefits

Our Society will provide information to any person or organisation from our fully researched local history archive. The public benefit flowing from this will help all to understand our History and Heritage Our purposes have lead to increased knowledge and understanding of the area’s heritage and folklore through publications, lectures and seminars

and interaction with other local historical groups and bodies with a view to promoting and increasing the interest in our history. Since 1985 the organisation has awakened a new interest in historical study and has brought together people of different traditions and backgrounds to interpret, understand and mutually appreciate our diverse past. We carry out research by collecting, recording and publishing information on all aspects of local history by providing an annual journal available free to all our members The Public can also benefit from supporting information on our website, talks and events We publish annually a Journal called DUICHE NEILL which is of great educational benefit to many students of local history. The benefit of this is demonstrated through the acclaim among not only the local population, but among academics and professional historians throughout Ireland and abroad. The ONCHS, has invited and entertained other historical societies to our area. We have provided guided tours and hospitality for our guests, which have created close permanent relations with other historical societies throughout Ireland. We have participated in the preservation of our local heritage sites, playing a pro-active and significant role. Over the years we have been active in the fight to preserve the ancient townland names. This movement has had some considerable success demonstrating the benefit of our purpose, as today the ancient name is shown on all the modern road signs in our area. The O’Neill Country Historical Society has researched and published a large amount of material useful to Genealogists and people researching their family history in the Blackwater Valley area of Counties Armagh and Tyrone. For members undertaking research, we may be able to help directly by providing access to our research materials and putting people in contact with other researchers working in a similar field and direct them to libraries and archives that can assist them. Membership is open to all who subscribe to our aims and anyone with an interest in local history. The purpose of our charity may lead to harm in some circumstances i.e. We may run historical events that involve children, in that case we provide a qualified child protection officer at these events, we would also carry out a Health and Safety risk assessment. There is no Private benefit in our society as all committee members are volunteers and hold unpaid posts.

What your organisation does

promotes or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys of a shared historical interest We publish annually a Journal called DUICHE NEILL which is of great educational benefit to many students of local history We also run conferences and siminars and Lectures and talks during the year and provide a programme of events