Documentary to tell the story of Inishowen's maritime heritage

An upcoming documentary will tell the story of Inishowen's maritime heritage. Heart of the Sea will explore the decline of the once-thriving industry in the region, and capture local people's personal stories, fishing traditions, music, folklore and heritage. The documentary has been commissioned by ArtLink, and will be produced by Crana Communications. They are seeking locals who have stories to tell about the maritime history of the area as part of the documentary - through their memories, old photographs, fishing stories, songs or maritime artefacts. The documentary will also highlight how coastal communities are adapting, diversifying and finding new ways to make a living from the sea. Once completed, the docmentary, all recorded interviews and all archive material will be made available online free of charge, to create a lasting resource for local schools, libraries and researches - as well as for heritage organisations such as the Inishowen Maritime Museum in Greencastle and the Dunree Museum. "With increasing pressure on the fishing industry through quotas, declining fish stocks and changing economic conditions, we believe the time to capture these stories is now," the organisers of the documentary said. "As older generations of fishers and their families pass on, invaluable knowledge, traditions and memories risk disappearing with them. Recording these experiences today will help ensure future generations understand the vital role the sea has played in shaping Inishowen's identity." Funded through the BIM Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG), production is due to begin in early August. Contributions can be scanned or photographed and sent by email to coaststories@artlink.ie. ArtLink Director Martha McCulloch is encouraging anyone with memories, photographs, documents or memorabilia to get involved. "We're looking for people with stories to tell, as well as old photographs, archive material or souvenirs that can help bring this history to life," she said. "If you have something to share, or know someone whose experiences should be recorded, we'd love to hear from you. We can scan photographs and safely return any materials." Jim Doherty of Crana Communications believes the project will capture an essential part of Inishowen's story. "The waters around Inishowen have shaped our communities and provided livelihoods for generations," he said. "This is an opportunity to record that history before it's lost. We're encouraging everyone connected to the fishing industry, whether directly or through family, to come forward. There are so many remarkable stories out there, and our biggest challenge will be deciding what we can fit into the finished documentary." Anyone wishing to contribute to Heart of the Sea can email coaststories@artlink.ie or call 086 815 6289 for more information.