Joe visits Hilltown in County Down. He gives an overview
of the area's history and explains how the parish was originally known as
Clonduff, a name still used in some ways to this day. Local historian Mary
Savage takes Joe to the ruins of the old Clonduff Parish Church. She tells him
of the legend of its building when a priest defied a bull who was knocking down
the stones with a walking stick which he planted in the ground and which then
grew into a bush. She then shows him the historic graveyard.
Declan O'Mahoney takes Joe for a walk through a forest in
the Mournes, looking at evidence for activity of the rare pine martin. It is
reckoned there are only a dozen left in the area. Gerry Quinn walks Joe around
the area formerly known as Deer's Meadow but which is now home to Spelga Dam.
They discuss its onetime argricultural history and the construction of the dam
to create a huge reservoir. They also discuss the River Bann which has its
source in the montains before flowing inland to Lough Neagh.
Brendan Murray,
Michael Tumilty and Eileen McCusker demonstrate the old practice of boleying -
when local herdsmen moved up to the pastures of their cattle to live alongside
them in small boley huts. This is commemorated today in the local boley fair
when the huts and lifestyle are celebrated.