OHNI held its first FREE in-person event of 2026, ‘Craft, Care and Community’ oral history heritage event, supported by The Heritage Council.
Registration was open to ALL, members and non-members.
We had a fantastic line-up of speakers including an iCAN Community Showcase, an oral history masterclass, and a unique opportunity to develop your network of formal and informal support.
We were pleased to provide refreshments and a light lunch for attendees. We ran a sustainable event and to eliminate food waste, requested attendees signed up to attend the full programme.
Our event took place on:
📅 Date: Saturday, 21st February 2026
🕰️ Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Gleeson Street, Athlone,
Co. Westmeath, N37 D953
OHNI COMMUNITY EVENT
‘Oral History, Craft, Care & Labour’
Saturday, 21st February | Sheraton Hotel, Athlone
The Oral History Network of Ireland (OHNI) supported by The Heritage Council, is celebrating the projects from around Ireland, which focus on care and work. The presentations will provide the catalyst for us to think about the richness of what we collect and preserve and how this facilitates intergenerational understanding and connection. We will have the opportunity to learn more about the conduct of oral history.
In addition, we will explore what is needed to support our community oral and cultural heritage projects and what part the Oral History Network of Ireland (in co-operation with other organisations) can play in this endeavour. Members of the Oral History Network as well as all others interested in oral history and heritage preservation are very welcome to attend this event.
Programme
09:30 | Registration & Welcome: Refreshments including tea, coffee, and pastries.
10:00 | Introduction to the Oral History Network of Ireland and Recent Developments Elizabeth Kiely (OHNI)
10:30 | Training Session: Approaching an Oral History Project with Daniel Carey (OHNI) (includes 15 minute break)
12:30 | Lunch Break: Provided on-site: Tea, coffee, sandwiches.
13:30 | iCAN Community Showcase: ‘Oral History, Craft, Care & Labour’
- 13:30 – 13:50 Emma Laffey: Preserving the history of Irish midwifery. (20 min talk)
- 13:50 – 14:10 Eric Shaw: The oral histories of Clarecastle salmon fishermen. (20 min talk)
- 14:10 – 14:30 Mary O’Malley (Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage): Traders on the Reek—recording knowledge, memory, and tradition in documentary format. (20 min talk)
- 14:30 – 14:50 20 min Q&A
14:50 | Networking Break: Tea, coffee, and cookies.
15:15 | Project Presentation: Elizabeth Kiely, Lace, Life and Lore: Crafting Women’s Digital Stories (30 min talk)
15:45 | The Future of Community Oral Heritage: Open Discussion.
16:30 | Event Concludes
Registration Information
This free event has now taken place. Please check our Events page for upcoming OHNI news.
With thanks to the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, who hosted our event, we had a wonderful turnout for the day with engaging conversations and valuable questions. It was a great opportunity to mix and network, and to be introduced to so many across the wider community who are oral history practitioners or those interested in embarking on their own oral history projects.
Thanks to funding from The Heritage Council, the day was also a wonderful opportunity to share our new OHNI-branded goods with our attendees.
OHNI would like to express thanks to all our presenters and those who came along for this free community event.
