OHNI: FREE Oral History Community Event

Join OHNI at its FREE 'Craft, Care and Community' oral history heritage event, supported by The Heritage Council. 

A great line-up of speakers, an oral history masterclass and an opportunity to develop your network of formal and informal support.

We are pleased to provide refreshments and a light lunch as part of your registration. To help us run a sustainable event and eliminate food waste, please consider signing up to attend the full programme. If your plans change, please let us know by Friday 13th February 2026 so we can reallocate your refreshments and seat to someone on our waiting list.

There are limited spaces so booking in advance is strongly advised . 

Contact info@oralhistorynetworkireland.ie with any questions.

OHNI COMMUNITY EVENT, FEBRUARY 2026

'Oral History, Craft, Care & Labour' 

Saturday, 21st February | Sheraton Hotel, Athlone

The Oral History Network of Ireland (OHNI) invites you to a celebration of the projects from around Ireland, which focus on care and work.  The presentations will provide the catalyst 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 explore what is needed to support our community oral and cultural heritage projects and how the Oral History Network of Ireland (in co-operation with other organisations) can play its part. 

Programme 

09:30 | Registration & Welcome: Refreshments including tea, coffee, and pastries.

10:00 | Introduction to the Oral History Network of Ireland and Recent Developments Liz 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: Sorcha O’Brien: Electric Irish Homes: Rural Electrification, Domestic Products and Irish Women in the 1950s and 1960s. (30 min talk)

15:45 | The Future of Community Oral Heritage: Open Discussion.

16:30 | Event Concludes

Registration Information

This is a free event, but registration is required as numbers are limited. Register before Friday 20th February to secure your place. TICKET TAILOR LINK