Draft net fishing and public history: accessing the living heritage and culture of Loughros Mór Estuary, Co. Donegal.

Loughros Mór Estuary, known locally as The Channel, forms the tidal waters of the Owenea and Owentocker rivers, west of Ardara, Co. Donegal. The practice of draft net fishing for Atlantic salmon has been a continual theme in the overall story of human activity in the estuary for many generations.  In understanding the estuary and fishery as a living heritage site it is important to view draft net fishing in its wider cultural and historical context, e.g. cockle picking, horse racing, famous battles, turf cutting, piers and ice houses. 

Dear participant, 

My name is Conor Joseph Whyte, and I am a currently studying for a MA in Public History and Cultural Heritage in the Department of History at the University of Limerick. As part of my studies, I am carrying out a research project entitled Draft net fishing and public history: accessing the living heritage and culture of Loughros Mór Estuary, Co. Donegal.

This research project will explore the cultural heritage of the draft net fishing on Loughros Mór Estuary, Co. Donegal. It will demonstrate how this traditional fishing practice makes the Estuary a significant living heritage site and will offer suggestions for its promotion by engaging stakeholders (fishermen and the local community around the estuary) in its development as a unique community identifier.

 

This short anonymous survey is designed to gather your opinions on the history and living heritage of the Loughros Mór Estuary, the practice of draft net fishing, and what might be preserved for and promoted in the future. 

As a participant you are free to withdraw your participation without having to explain or give a reason, up to a period of two weeks after the data collection is completed.

If you have any queries or would like more information about the project, please contact:

* Principal investigator: Conor Joseph Whyte, email: 19189907@studentmail.ul.ie

* Supervisor: Dr Karol Mullaney-Dignam: UL phone: +353 61-202199 

   E-mail address: karol.mullaney.dignam@ul.ie  

* Gate keeper: Paula Harvey, chairperson, Donegal (Glenties-Ardara-Portnoo) Heritage and       History Group

This research study has received Ethics approval from the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (approval number: 2021-04-20-AHSS). If you have any concerns about this study or your participation and wish to contact an independent authority, you may contact:

Chairperson Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee

AHSS Faculty Office

University of Limerick

Tel: +353 61 202286

Email: FAHSSEthics@ul.ie

Many thanks for your participation in this anonymised survey.

Best Wishes

Conor J. Whyte