The University of Ulster is teaming up with the Ulster Historical Foundation to deliver the first ever Ulster History and Genealogy Summer School.
The summer school will run from June 21 – June 26 and include a variety of talks, tours, presentations and social events. The five day programme is designed for anyone with an interest in learning more about their ancestors or exploring the stories behind some of Ulster’s most historic sites.
Dr Allan Blackstock, one of the lecturers involved in the design and delivery of the summer school, says it is being offered in response to the growing interest in genealogy from people at home and abroad.“The poet Seamus Heaney has spoken of the importance of a sense of place in Ireland. This is particularly so in family history, especially for those from abroad wanting to trace their Irish roots.
“This new Summer School will combine genealogical research with visits to localities of historical importance in Belfast and Londonderry, including Derry’s historical city centre and walls and Clifton House, an elegant Georgian building once known as Belfast’s ‘Poor House’.
Our excursions deep into the Ulster countryside will include a tour of Sentry Hill - a typical 19th century tenant-farmer’s house, a unique opportunity to visit Baronscourt, the seat of the Duke of Abercorn, in County Tyrone and a visit to the Centre for Migration Studies at the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh. We will also visit Monreagh Heritage Centre in County Donegal.
Participants will be registered as part time students of the University of Ulster for the duration of the school so they will have access to the University’s library, its computer suite and extensive range of electronic resources, including a searchable database of the Belfast News Letter, which is a valuable source for genealogical and local history information.
Dr Blackstock says the summer school is structured to allow participants to carry out research for themselves at archives and libraries such as the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Linen Hall Library and Belfast Central Library.“No previous knowledge of research techniques or sources is necessary as the Foundation’s experienced team of researchers will be on hand to assist delegates carry out their research,” he adds.
The Summer School offers both residential and non-residential options. It will be taught and run jointly by the University of Ulster and the Ulster Historical Foundation, and based at the Ulster’s Belfast campus in the heart of Belfast’s cultural district, Cathedral Quarter. Residential students will stay at the Ramada Encore hotel, which is beside the campus.For further details email a.blackstock@ulster.ac.uk for applications visit http://www.ancestryireland.com/summerschool/