Over the weekend 15th-17th of November a group representing the Kiilorglin Archive Society traveled to Derry to participate in the Pride of Place Awards Ceremony. 2013 marked the 400th anniversary of the Derry City Charter and Derry was the first location to serve as an United Kingdom city of culture. Significantly, 2013 also marked the 400th anniversary of Killorglin’s Lammas Fair Patent, also granted by King James 1st in 1613. The Killorglin delegation lead by Johnny ‘Porridge’ O’Connor included Michael Ahern, Edso Crowley, Pa Rochfort, Tom Burnell, Tom Doyle and Terence Houlihan. Based in the Waterfoot Hotel in Derry’s Waterside district, the group were met by Mr John Duffy on Friday evening and visited ‘The Don’ public house in the Creggan, to unwind after a long journey. 
Early on Saturday morning, under the guidance of John Duffy, the group went on a walking tour of Derry, which commenced at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside. John Duffy, who took part in the Anti-Internment march on January 30th 1972, outlined the sequence of events that became known as ‘Bloody Sunday’. Afterwards the group walked a section of Derry’s Walls (built between 1613-1618) and visited the Guild Hall before returning to the hotel. 
The Pride of Place Awards Ceremony took place at ‘The Venue’ on the Saturday evening. Also present were Siobhan Griffin,Tomas Hayes and Pat Healy as part of our delegation from Killorglin. The Awards ceremony attracted 700 delegates representing communities the length and breadth of Ireland. Though unsuccessful in the awards on this occasion, a wonderful weekend was had by all. Special thanks to our host and guide John Duffy for his hospitality and kindness to all of us during our stay in Derry.
