‘Great resource for people at home and abroad’

Five history-focused groups in Cork county have joined a digital platform for local community organisations to share their archives of photos, documents, videos and oral recordings.

It comes as Cork County Council recently announced the expansion of the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN), a collaborative initiative, led by the National Museum of Ireland in partnership with the Heritage Council.

In 2023 Bere Island Projects Group, Kilmurry Historical and Archaeological Association, Kilshannig Heritage Group, and Youghal Community Archives joined the iCAN Network and three years later five more groups have been added to the network.

These are Baltimore, Rath and the Islands Community Heritage Group, Glanworth Community Archives, Inniscarra Historical Society, Macroom History Group, and Rosscarbery & District History & Heritage Society. Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said: “Cork County Council welcomes the expansion of the iCAN Network and wishes both existing and new organisations every success in their archival endeavours and undertakings.

“The iCAN Network is a great resource for people at home and abroad to appreciate the heritage of a locality. It opens a window to our county’s past, inviting everyone to explore and appreciate the richness of our county. I commend each and every one of the County Cork groups participating in this invaluable initiative."

These groups will join the repository of cultural heritage, shared memory and traditions, and help to further enrich our understanding of the past, while serving as an inspiration for the future. Chief Executive of Cork County Council Moira Murrell said: “This is a fantastic initiative and wonderful to see such extensive involvement in it by groups from County Cork. As Chief Executive, I would like to express gratitude to the Irish Community Archive Network, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Heritage Council.”