u3ani
university of the third age
Down
County Down (An Dún – the fortress) has many ancient sites and monuments marking a fascinating history. Following the early Celts, Saint Patrick established his first Church in Ireland at Saul, near Downpatrick, in the 5th Century. Among the National Trust's finest Ulster properties are Rowallane Gardens, eccentric Castle Ward House and magnificent Mount Stewart. As Belfast is divided by the River Lagan which forms most of the border with Read more
Londonderry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning “oak-wood of Colmcille”. In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I and the “London” prefix was added, changing the name of the city to Londonderry. While the city is more usually known as Derry, Londonderry is Read more
Tyrone
County Tyrone (Tír Eoghain meaning “land of Eoghan”) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the south-west shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 3,155 km, with a population of approximately 166,516, with its county town being Omagh. Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the Read more
Fermanagh
County Fermanagh (from Irish: Fear Manach meaning “men of Manach”) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north of the island of Ireland. The only county in Northern Ireland not adjoining Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 1,691 km, with a population of approximately 57,527, with Enniskillen its county town. Lying within the historical province of Ulster, it is also one of the thirty-two traditional counties Read more
Armagh
Armagh (Ard Mhacha meaning “Macha’s height” – Macha being a Celtic goddess) is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity. Although it was always considered a Cathedral City – having not one but two cathedrals both dedicated to St Patrick, who According to the Annals of the Four Masters, established it as his headquarters in the year 457- Armagh was granted official city status by Queen Elizabeth II in Read more
Antrim
County Antrim (Aontroim = one ridge) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km , with a population of approximately 616,000. It is also the biggest county in the whole of Ireland. At its nearest point it is only 13 miles to Scotland with which it has always had great interaction. It offers some Read more
This is my last post as Regional Chair. Thank you to the people who supported me over the past three years. Best wishes to the new executive committee under the chairmanship of Maeve Gallagher of Shimna U3A. I wish her and the new committee well Mary P Dynan Read more