TIME TEAM EXCAVATION - more pix now online!

In October 2007, Time team together with the Environment and Heritage Services of Northern Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast investigated the structural remains of the O’Neill castle and the fortified town and searched for evidence of prehistoric occupation at this complex and fascinating site.
Four trenches were opened across the hill slope to investigate topographic and geophysical features.
One of the trenches provided possible evidence for a 17th Century earthen military fort.
Another trench located a deep wide ditch which may be one of the ditches shown by Richard Bartlett’s map commissioned in 1602:
The most exciting discovery was at the summit of the hill where archaeologists uncovered two stretches of wall. The first of these is some 2 meters thick with base batter and may represent the foundations of O’Neill Castle.
In Pennar’s survey of 1619, it is reported that Sir Arthur Chichester constructed a new fort of stone and lime with 4 bastions, some 120 x 120 feet in dimension.
A sketch accompanying Pennar’s report shows a tall tower surrounded by 4 bastions.It would seem therefore that the archaeologists have unearthed Chichesters’s fort.
While contemporary accounts suggest that O’Neill Castle had been demolished by this time, it might be the case that either foundations had been used for the footings of a new tower by Chichester or that Chichester remodeled the old Castle and placed it as the central part of his new fort.
Located directly beside this was a spear shaped bastion of probable early 17th Century date.
Other finds include a piece of flint that points to human activity 6000 years ago, lead musket shots and a stoneware flagon (drinking vessel) dating back to the late 16th or early 17th Century. Jon Willers from Time Team believes that the stoneware flagon originated in Germany: “This is a high status piece. Who knows, maybe it was used by Hugh O’Neill of Arthur Chichester”.
A full report on the findings of these exploratory excavations will be available by mid to- late January 2008.

To view our full gallery of pictures, visit http://www.dungannon.gov.uk/ and click on Gallery

All the fun of the Craft Fair!!

Pack in some extra special Christmas shopping at the Flavour of Tyrone annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Linen Green in Moygashel this weekend!

The fun kicks off at 11am on Saturday with an official opening by Mayor Cllr Barry Monteith and then its time to shop, shop, shop. You are sure to find unique Christmas gifts for all the family - we have everything from jewellery to jumpers!

The Craft Fair is open on Saturday from 11am to 5pm and on Sunday from 1pm - the Linen Green shops will be open at these times also.

Don't miss it!

No time here for Winter blues...

Here in Dungannon, we have a bumper Winter events package planned to suit all tastes -

Coming up next week is Rally Ireland which will zoom through Fivemiletown on the 18th November - not for the faint hearted but a must for all sporting fans!

The Flavour of Tyrone Christmas Craft Fayre is always a big hit with shoppers over the festive season and the perfect chance to pick up something truly unique for that special someone in your life. The Craft Fayre takes place this year in the Linen Green Moygashel on the 24th and 25th November with lots of festive entertainment in store to keep your spirits up as you shop!

Coalisland will switch on its Christmas lights on Friday 30th November and parents of young children will be delighted to know that this year's special guest is the one and only PC Plum of Balamory! See PC Plum, Santa, CRAIC Theatre's Aladdin cast and music from local band Mustang take the stage from 6pm at the Cornmill Carpark.

The following day (Sat 1st December) sees a SANTASTIC fun day come to Dungannon where the fun will kick off at 11am with Christmas Storytelling and Kiddies Crafts at Dungannon Library. CBeebies fans will be delighted to catch Pete Hillier from Boogie Beebies in a special show at St Anne's Church Hall at 12noon and again at 2pm - booking for this event is open now at Ranfurly House on 028 8772 8600. Book early - first come first served. The fun continues with a Six FM Roadshow in Market Square from 2-6pm and dont miss Santa's Grotto on Castle Hill from 2pm - 4.30pm. Carol Singers with special guests will entertain shoppers in Irish Street, Scotch Street and Church Street while additional music will come from Dungannon Silver Band. 'That Man' Circus Show, dancing Christmas characters and the cast of High School Musical will keep the festivities going until 5pm. The Christmas Lights will be switched on by Santa Claus and the Mayor Cllr Barry Monteith at dusk.

Dungannon Leisure Centre will host Northern Ireland's biggest High School Musical from Tuesday 4th December with schools from across three counties taking part in the Disney smash hit show. Tickets are now available feom ticketmaster.co.uk or from Gene Stuarts and the Music Shop Cookstown.

The fun continues in January with CRAIC theatre's magical pantomime 'Aladdin' which opens on Thursday 10th and runs until 20th January (Thurs - Sun only). Contact CRAIC for further information and keep an eye right here for ticket details.

Don't be afraid of the cold this winter - with so much happening in Dungannon, you'll never have the winter blues!!