Helen Riddell, Bere Island Projects Group West Cork

 

What Helen Riddell said about working with Dr Angela Maye-Banbury on the Bere Island Heritage Keepers oral history Project 2022

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"In 2022 ,Bere Island Projects Group (BIPG) worked on the Heritage Keepers initiative facilitated by the Burren Beo Trust and The Heritage Council and formulated a plan to record the oral history of Bere Island.  As this was a new venture for the island, BIPG were keen to have the appropriate supports and methods in place.  The group had previously heard about Dr Angela Maye-Banbury’s work recording the oral history of Achill Island and contacted her with a view to holding an oral history workshop on Bere Island. The workshop was a huge success, and over the course of the weekend ,Angela talked the group through the principles of oral history, ethics and good practice, and community engagement. She also gave some valuable practical guidance on recording and transcription of interviews.  

 

Since that workshop in 2022, the Bere Island oral history project has gone from strength to strength and we now have 20 recordings completed, with many more planned.  It is thanks to Angela’s support and guidance in our work that this project has been such a success, in particular her direction in getting the island community and diaspora involved in the project. We would recommend any community thinking about recording their oral history to work with Angela, her  extensive knowledge and guidance will ensure the stories and memories are preserved for future generations, not just for the benefit of a specific locality, which will be of historical value on a national level. "

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For further information, see Recording Our Bere Island History.