Hearts of Down
@heartsofdown.bsky.social
An arts, heritage and media collective from County Down
www.heartsofdown.org
www.heartsofdown.org
Pinned
Hearts of Down
@heartsofdown.bsky.social
· Jun 26
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
James McMeekin and his milk float. A gorgeous Newtownards story.
Today is National Milkman Day. A barely seen figure now, but the heart of our communities in years gone by.
This is one of the most beautiful films in our collection. If you've been to the Transport Museum at Cultra, you will have seen the wee vehicle featured here.
This might make you cry...
This is one of the most beautiful films in our collection. If you've been to the Transport Museum at Cultra, you will have seen the wee vehicle featured here.
This might make you cry...
Super 8 Stories: The Last Milk Round - View media
Over 128 years of moving images from Northern Ireland, featuring amateur and professional films from 1897 to 2025, brought to you by Northern Ireland Screen.
digitalfilmarchive.net
August 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
James McMeekin and his milk float. A gorgeous Newtownards story.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
This is a beautiful song.
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This is a beautiful song.
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Our friend Maurice Macartney wrote an incredible song for the Forgotten Famine film. Link in thread.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Our friend Maurice Macartney wrote an incredible song for the Forgotten Famine film. Link in thread.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
Maurice Macartney's Bully's Acre
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
Bully's Acre
YouTube video by The_Combination_NI
www.youtube.com
July 14, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Maurice Macartney's Bully's Acre
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
A thread here from the @heartsofdown.bsky.social introducing the work of the multitalented Maurice Macartney @jointhecoo.bsky.social. Maurice is a thinker, writer, songwriter and musician. The song at the top of the thread is beautiful.
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A thread here from the @heartsofdown.bsky.social introducing the work of the multitalented Maurice Macartney @jointhecoo.bsky.social. Maurice is a thinker, writer, songwriter and musician. The song at the top of the thread is beautiful.
And one more thing for the Maurice Macartney thread. Maurice made The Spirit Cellarman film, looks at clans, clearances and commoners on the Isle of Skye, by way of a family connection. It's a fascinating story.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-spi...
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-spi...
The Spirit Cellarman — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:24 AM
And one more thing for the Maurice Macartney thread. Maurice made The Spirit Cellarman film, looks at clans, clearances and commoners on the Isle of Skye, by way of a family connection. It's a fascinating story.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-spi...
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-spi...
And you can follow Maurice here on Bluesky @jointhecoo.bsky.social
July 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
And you can follow Maurice here on Bluesky @jointhecoo.bsky.social
You hear Maurice talking about his book on the North Podcast @north-tuaisceart.bsky.social hosted by @stephenbaker.bsky.social
www.heartsofdown.org/work/north-p...
www.heartsofdown.org/work/north-p...
North Podcast — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
You hear Maurice talking about his book on the North Podcast @north-tuaisceart.bsky.social hosted by @stephenbaker.bsky.social
www.heartsofdown.org/work/north-p...
www.heartsofdown.org/work/north-p...
Maurice is also the author of the book Combinations: Denominations, Democracy and the Politics of Nonviolence.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/combina...
www.heartsofdown.org/work/combina...
Combinations — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Maurice is also the author of the book Combinations: Denominations, Democracy and the Politics of Nonviolence.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/combina...
www.heartsofdown.org/work/combina...
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Feeling grateful to the people of Newtownards for all their generosity, stories and wisdom as we made our short film about Bully's Acre and the impact of the Great Hunger in the town.
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
The Forgotten Famine — Claire Mitchell
This is a short film that I made with my friends and neighbours in Newtownards, County Down. It’s about the impact of The Great Hunger in a town that where officalidom has disremembered some parts of ...
www.clairemitchell.net
June 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Feeling grateful to the people of Newtownards for all their generosity, stories and wisdom as we made our short film about Bully's Acre and the impact of the Great Hunger in the town.
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
An excellent film on the Great Famine's manifestation in Newtownards, and a potent reminder of its terrible impact on the North of Ireland at that time
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
An excellent film on the Great Famine's manifestation in Newtownards, and a potent reminder of its terrible impact on the North of Ireland at that time
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Last year I acted as historical consultant for this film about the workhouse burial ground in Newtownards and the impact of the Famine.
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
The Forgotten Famine
YouTube video by Hearts of Down
youtu.be
June 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Last year I acted as historical consultant for this film about the workhouse burial ground in Newtownards and the impact of the Famine.
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
It's so close to home, yet I didn't know this bit of our history. That image of wealth and poverty so close together feels uncomfortably familiar. North Down gets stereotyped as if everyone's comfortably off - or rich. But today as then, stories of struggling people get lost in the shuffle.
This is a short film about a hidden aspect of the past in a little corner of Co Down. It’s a little less hidden today! That's thanks to everyone who watched it, liked and reposted the link. The response has been so encouraging. Thank you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
The Forgotten Famine
YouTube video by Hearts of Down
www.youtube.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
It's so close to home, yet I didn't know this bit of our history. That image of wealth and poverty so close together feels uncomfortably familiar. North Down gets stereotyped as if everyone's comfortably off - or rich. But today as then, stories of struggling people get lost in the shuffle.
This is a short film about a hidden aspect of the past in a little corner of Co Down. It’s a little less hidden today! That's thanks to everyone who watched it, liked and reposted the link. The response has been so encouraging. Thank you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
The Forgotten Famine
YouTube video by Hearts of Down
www.youtube.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This is a short film about a hidden aspect of the past in a little corner of Co Down. It’s a little less hidden today! That's thanks to everyone who watched it, liked and reposted the link. The response has been so encouraging. Thank you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
Ah, Jonny, thank you.
June 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Ah, Jonny, thank you.
It means a lot to hear that, Ian. Thank you for these encouraging words.
June 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
It means a lot to hear that, Ian. Thank you for these encouraging words.
Thank you for this. And couldn’t agree more. Christine Kinealy’s work is incredible.
Take 10 minutes out of your evening to read about the Great Hunger in Newtownards. A superb short film 👏👏👏. Ad Prof Kinealy’s research has shown ( www.qu.edu/faculty-and-...), the situation in Down was much worse during the famine than is usually acknowledged.
June 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Thank you for this. And couldn’t agree more. Christine Kinealy’s work is incredible.
Thanks so much for this, and for sharing. Also for mentioning Christine Kinealy’s work. We are huge fans of hers, Frank Costello and others who have shone a light on the Hunger in County Down and other areas that became disremembered from the wider famine story.
June 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Thanks so much for this, and for sharing. Also for mentioning Christine Kinealy’s work. We are huge fans of hers, Frank Costello and others who have shone a light on the Hunger in County Down and other areas that became disremembered from the wider famine story.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Here's a fantastic short documentary, pulling aside the veil of them and us to show that money and power has always been the driver of division in Ireland.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Here's a fantastic short documentary, pulling aside the veil of them and us to show that money and power has always been the driver of division in Ireland.
Thank you and the quote tweet is very much appreciated. 🙏
June 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Thank you and the quote tweet is very much appreciated. 🙏
Thank you. That is a lovely and encouraging thing to hear.
June 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Thank you. That is a lovely and encouraging thing to hear.