Mayo Civil War exhibits well received on US tour

CIVIL War documents found in the wall of a Mayo shed resonated with the American audience when displayed in Ohio as part of the 20-year twinning celebrations between Achill and Cleveland.

The Michael Davitt Museum in Straide went 'on tour' with the much admired Pat Chambers Civil War Collection last week.

The papers included two letters originating in Cleveland and revealed strong links generally between the city and the west Mayo area.

Hundreds of Clevelanders flocked to three separate venues - Great Lakes Brewery, Westside Irish American Club and the Eastside Irish American Club - to view not only the documents but also to watch a museum produced PowerPoint presentation which provided further relevant information and context.

The story of sheep farmer Pat Chambers' incredible discovery of important Civil War documents, carefully placed in a jar and concealed in a gable wall of a shed he was renovating, continues to resonate on both sides of the Atlantic.

The events in Cleveland were extremely well attended and have the potential to further enhance tourism ties between Mayo and north east Ohio, the Davitt Museum reflected after the trip.

The current phase of the project is in receipt of funding from the Creative Ireland Fund while the initial phase received assistance from the Heritage Council’s Capacity Fund.

The museum extended thanks to Colleen Corrigan Day, Margaret Lynch, Gerry Quinn, Mick Mulchrone and all that involved in organising the events.