The Hidden Gems: Forgotten People website is the outcome of a joint project of the Federation for Ulster Local Studies and the Federation of Local History Societies to draw attention to and celebrate some of the lesser known but interesting places and buildings in our island; those often overlooked in tourist brochures or guided tours, and of the very many interesting and often inspiring individuals not known outside their own locality whose stories are untold or forgotten.
It is an open ended project in that we intend to continue to add new places and people as they are identified and passed to us for inclusion. The initial selection was provided by member societies from both Federations and we are grateful to them for the work in compiling the information.
As new articles are added they will be listed on New Gems & People page
The project is one of a number of activities undertaken by the Federations. Each year we organise a joint visit to an area or place of special interest. Not only does this provide an informative and enjoyable event, it is also an opportunity for people from all parts of the island to meet and make friends.
How to contribute
The project aims to involve Societies and individuals in identifying interesting but lesser known places and people; places that don't make it on to the tourist circuit but which have some local historical interest or significance. Also, there will be local knowledge of men and women who have made a significant contribution to their own locality or more widely but whom time has largely forgotten.
The aim is to document these places and celebrate these people before they slip out of memory.
The intention is to place them on this website, and possibly on a CD.
The following guidelines aim to help people to compile information in common format.
The topic should be on one A4 page.
Name of the History Group/Society/Individual.
Place/Person name
Images: Scanned photographs or digital camera photos at as high as resolution as possible. Colour or b/w if this was the original print. Send images separately from the text i.e do not embed in the document unless the text/image is an image in itself.
Location of place
Text giving the story behind the subject. Up to 300 words
Type the page in word document
When completed send to:
Federation for Ulster Local Studies:
Pat Devlin , 18 Ardmore Drive, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT306JU. E-mail info@fuls.org.uk
or
Federation of Local History Societies:
Larry Breen , 8 The Paddocks, Naas, Co. Klidare. E-mail larrybreen8@eircom.net