Heritage Lottery Fund has announced funding for 10 projects across Northern Ireland. Projects will explore a wide range of heritage themes ranging from the Titanic era, biodiversity, buildings, local community heritage, festivals and school histories.

Creggan Country Park was delighted to receive funding under the Young Roots initiative for the project Heritage after Dark. Four local schools have signed up to form a steering group that will lead the project over the next 18 months. With Heritage after Dark being the main theme, activities will include addressing myths and legends of Halloween and surveying nocturnal creatures including bats, owls and moths. A public event will be held at Creggan Country Park as part of City of Culture Halloween 2013 celebrations. Participants will also investigate the history of Halloween and its origins in the ancient celtic festival of Samhain dating back to the 6th century.

The project will also investigate Halloween cultural traditions throughout the ages from around the world. Participants will team up with a local historian to explore local myths, legends and the city's historically important "haunted landmarks" through guided tours. The Heritage after Dark project will encourage young people to reconnect with historical, cultural and natural heritage and explore historical events which took place in their city.

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, added: "HLF is delighted to support these communities and young people as they seek to express, celebrate and pass on the rich heritage they are all so proud of. The majority of these projects provide fantastic opportunities for the wider community to get involved. We wish them all, the best possible outcome” .

Greencare North West is a partnership between Derry City Council and Groundwork NI. Groundwork NI manages the programme and uses landfill tax credits to support regeneration projects across the Derry City Council area. The 2012-2013 programme invited applications that would develop small-scale environmental regeneration and biodiversity projects, within the Derry City Council district.

Creggan Country Park received funding for the project Triax Environmental Engagement Programme which brings together community groups, youth groups, schools and families to make a positive impact on local green spaces in Creggan, Bogside, Brandywell, Fountain and Bishop Street. The project will deliver a biodiversity education programme in primary and secondary schools, deliver wildlife recording workshops and planting programmes, create wildlife homes and host three wildlife events in City of Culture year 2013. The project will improve biodiversity and physical environment in Triax. It will promote community pride and ownership and will provide training and education for the local community.

Karen Healy, Environmental Officer, Creggan Country Park said: "We are delighted to receive funding from Heritage Lottery Fund and Greencare North West as they help us address our key priorities including training and skills development in young people and protecting and enhancing local biodiversity".

To become a volunteer for the projects or for more information, please call 02871 363 133 or visit the Creggan Country Park website. 

Notes to editors

Creggan Country Park is a community business located at the old Creggan Reservoir site in Westway. The site incorporates Glenowen Fisheries and houses a £1.3m activity centre. Visitors can take part in a wide variety of watersports (including canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and pier-jumping) and outdoor pursuit’s activities in a controlled freshwater environment.

The site incorporates a number of eco-friendly features including a wind turbine, hydroelectric scheme, and turf roof and under floor heating. The park also actively promotes the environment through its environmental education programme for schools, "Natures Classroom".