Press Releases
Heritage Week celebrated by churches in Clogher Diocese
National Heritage Week takes place from 15–23 August.
A number of Church of Ireland parishes in Clogher Diocese are celebrating Heritage Week in the Republic of Ireland by opening churches and telling the stories of their important links to their local communities.
At Rockcorry and Dartrey churches in Co. Monaghan, which are steeped in the rich history of the Corry and Dawson families there will be a weekend of heritage events from 21–23 August.
On Friday, 21 August, there is “An evening of music and poetry” by Le Cheile Choir, Cootehill, from 7.30–9.00pm in St John the Evangelist Church, Dartrey.
This is followed on Saturday, 22 August from 3pm to 3.45pm with a talk on “A History of the Dawson Family” in St. John the Evangelist Church, Dartrey by local author and historian, Jonathan Smyth. This will be followed at 3.45pm –4.15pm with a a guided visit to the Dawson Family Graves in the grounds of St. John the Evangelist Church by Mr. Noel Carleton.
A Dartrey Heritage photograph exhibition will be on display in the church and Afternoon Tea (scones and tray bakes) will be available in a marquee at the church following the talks.
On Sunday, 23 August 2026 3.00pm there will be a Walking History Tour of Rockcorry Village by Mrs. Hazel Speares, commencing at the former Rockcorry N.S. where John Robert Gregg, of Gregg shorthand fame, was once a pupil. His father was a stationmaster at Bushford railway station outside Rockcorry. Afternoon tea (scones and traybakes) will be served in the former school after the walk where a Rockcorry Heritage photograph exhibition will be on display.
Then at 7.30pm there will be a “Service of Thanksgiving for our Heritage” in St. James’ Church, Rockcorry with special music and the Bishop of Clogher, Right Revd Dr Ian Ellis as guest preacher.
Meanwhile Donagh Group of Parishes also in Clogher Diocese in northern Monaghan near the Border has also been celebrating Heritage Week with talks and visits.