THE BOGSIDE ARTISTS NEWSLETTER - Issue 1
Date 26/2/03
Published by "The Bogside Artists" _________________________________________________________
Hi, No. We are not going to tell you how to make a million by farming bagpipes in Donegal. Nor do we wish to add to
deluge of unwanted horseshit already in your email box. Instead, we will amuse, inform, edify and even hang around later for your questions. If you got something that is useful, true or funny, drop us a line. Mailto: bogsideartists@bogsideartists.com
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THIS ISSUE'S CONTENTS _________________________________________________________ _
1.DERRY 2.EDITORIAL. 3.ON THE GRAPEVINE. 4.OUR DIARY. 5.USELFUL SITES.
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1. DERRY
Derry or "Londonderry", to give it its formal title, boasts some of most beautiful women to be found anywhere on planet, with Belfast running a close second. That probably explains why Derry men are crazier than most and Belfast men crazier than anybody. Derry however, has a colorful history every bit as interesting as its indigenous beauties. Each issue of our Newsletter will offer a little snippet or two of information on subject (history, that is) about which, especially since onset of "troubles", numerous learned tomes have been written. _________________________________________________________ _ Derry gets its name from ancient Irish word "daire" meaning an oak grove. The oak tree was venerated by Celts and is likely that Druids used grove for their rituals. The "daire" was situated on a crannog or small island in river Foyle. As waters receded, surrounding area turned into bogland, whence derives name Bogside. The hill itself once boasted a fortress not unlike that overlooking Lough Swilly called Grianan of Aileach.
In sixth century Saint Colmcille (Columba 521-597) established a monastery on hill. There is no proof of this, but it is more than likely, as founding monasteries was what Columba liked to do best. This, of course, attracted people to live nearby and so settlement grew.
The monastery indeed was intact well into 17th century when colonists arrived from Scotland and England. Derrys boomtime however, was in 12th and 13th centuries when MacLochlainn dynasty moved in. They used their wealth to build settlement up and when they died out, Derry fell into decline. It was not until arrival of De Burgos that relative prosperity returned to growing town. The skeleton on Derry's coat of arms derives from De Burgos. _________________________________________________________ _
2. EDITORIAL.
The Bogside Artists are a mysterious trio to many. Ergo, let me introduce us. As this will take up more space than I feel entitled to use, I'll be brief. In our NEXT Newsletter, you will find a fuller and more comprehensive edition at our website. We will even have our own photos! Consider this a mere introduction.
KEVIN Kevin Hasson's formal education began with The Christian Brothers school in Brandywell area of city. It later moved to Creggan and renamed itself St. Peters. That was in early `70's. "Art even then, was thing I was most interested in", he says. "My dad was a very talented man who used his skills and imagination to entertain us. Creativity therefore, as a bulwark against poverty, constituted environment I grew up in."
For his first ever trip abroad Kevin found himself on a relief mission to starving of Calcutta. It was an experience that transformed him. In Frankfurt, he met his American wife to be. Once married, he settled down in America. Finally, he returned home with his family.
He wasn't home a fortnight when he linked up once more with Tom, whom he had first met at St. Peters. Art was thing they had most in common. Kevin and Tom both play guitar. Kevin likes old movies.
TOM Apart from several brief stays in England, Tom Kelly has spent all of his life in Bogside, where he still lives. He is, in fact, leader of a small non- denominational Christian church called "Wellspring" in heart of The Bogside. Part of Wellspring's agenda is to explore all aspects of Irish culture, particularly where it addresses pure Christian message. Wellspring is self-sufficient and uses The Bogside Artists' studio for its meetings.
