Northern Ireland Environment Agency offers public chance to dig into past

Members of the public were today invited to witness at first hand an archaeological quest to uncover 17th Century gardens at a well known Co Londonderry landmark.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) offered visitors to the Bellaghy Bawn a chance to come along and see a live excavation next month as well as demonstrations of 17th Century armour and weaponry.

The dig, which takes place on Saturday 6 June, is part of NIEA’s Archaeology Days – a programme of events designed to bring history alive. Most events are free.

NIEA Archaeologist Paul Logue explained: “In this excavation we are hoping to uncover the former gardens of Bellaghy Bawn - particularly the remnants of the seventeenth century gardens.

“We would also like to find evidence of the gardens created in the late eighteenth century by Frederick Hervey, the Earl Bishop of Derry.

“In the first instance it’s most likely we will uncover pieces of the nineteenth and twentieth century gardens and will progress our detective work from there.

“NIEA would like to thank the landowners, the Lowry family, for their permission to excavate and would ask that visitors take great care at the event and allow the owners to return to the privacy they are entitled to following the event.”

The Bellaghy Bawn, a fortified house, was built in the 17th Century on lands granted to the Vintners Company of London during the plantation of Co Londonderry.

In addition to housing a display about the history of the area, the bawn also celebrates the life of Bellaghy’s most famous son, the Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney with a library and exhibition devoted to his work as poet, broadcaster and as a student.

Notes to Editors:

1. The event takes place at Bellaghy Bawn between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 6 June and is free of charge.

2. To find out more about this event telephone (028) 7938 6812 or log on to www.wonderfulni.info

3. Archaeology Days are organised by NIEA, in celebration of National Archaeology Day. There are events and activities to suit everyone including tours of historic sites, activities for children and school groups and excavations at several sites .

4. For media inquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours, call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 0769971 5440 and your call will be returned.