At the end of August, Inishowen Rivers Trust brought people together in Moville and Clonmany to celebrate our rivers through creativity, heritage and community. The two Riverside Reflections events gave participants a chance to connect with local waterways in new ways, through music, stories, art, and shared memories.
Moville: Exploring the River through Creativity
On Saturday 30th August, despite heavy rain forcing us indoors, 13 participants gathered in Glencrow Hall, Moville. Brendan Farren and Kathleen O’Hara led the group on an imaginative journey into what rivers mean to us. With music from Ceolann Music School, everyone explored rivers through movement, sound and art. Children’s voices and the sounds of water were recorded by MacRuari Audio Services, capturing the energy and curiosity of the day for the upcoming Riverside Reflections podcast.
Even without the planned riverside walk, the group created a strong sense of connection with the river through stories, laughter, and creativity.
Clonmany: Songs, Stories and Heritage
The following afternoon, Sunday 31st August, 21 people gathered in The Market House, Clonmany, with John Moulden, the Clonmany Genealogy and Heritage Group, and Rosemarie Doherty. The day was rich with local history and song, including music John had rediscovered in Scotland that tells stories of the Clonmany River.
John prepared a special booklet with lyrics and notes for five songs, ensuring that the history of these river songs could be shared more widely. Once again, MacRuari Audio Services recorded conversations, memories, and songs, weaving them into the developing Riverside Reflections podcast. Click here to listen: Riverside Reflections PODCAST_V2.mp3
The day finished with tea, scones, and a short walk along the Clonmany River, where participants shared personal stories about their own connections with the water.
A Shared Celebration
Over the course of the weekend, 34 people joined us across the two events. Together, we celebrated our rivers as more than just natural features, but as sources of memory, creativity, music, and belonging.
Both days highlighted the strong community spirit of Inishowen and the deep ways our rivers flow through culture as well as landscape.
The recordings and songs will be made available soon through the Inishowen Rivers Trust website, and can be listened to here: Riverside Reflections PODCAST_V2.mp3 , keeping these stories alive and passing them forward for others to enjoy.
Sincere thanks to Donegal County Council, Creative Ireland Programme and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their continued support through funding.
