Hearts of Down
@heartsofdown.bsky.social
An arts, heritage and media collective from County Down
www.heartsofdown.org
www.heartsofdown.org
Pinned
Hearts of Down
@heartsofdown.bsky.social
· Jun 26
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
James McMeekin and his milk float. A gorgeous Newtownards story.
Today is National Milkman Day. A barely seen figure now, but the heart of our communities in years gone by.
This is one of the most beautiful films in our collection. If you've been to the Transport Museum at Cultra, you will have seen the wee vehicle featured here.
This might make you cry...
This is one of the most beautiful films in our collection. If you've been to the Transport Museum at Cultra, you will have seen the wee vehicle featured here.
This might make you cry...
Super 8 Stories: The Last Milk Round - View media
Over 128 years of moving images from Northern Ireland, featuring amateur and professional films from 1897 to 2025, brought to you by Northern Ireland Screen.
digitalfilmarchive.net
August 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
James McMeekin and his milk float. A gorgeous Newtownards story.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
This is a beautiful song.
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This is a beautiful song.
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
Lay your flags and titles down
Take your place in this common ground 💚
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Our friend Maurice Macartney wrote an incredible song for the Forgotten Famine film. Link in thread.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Our friend Maurice Macartney wrote an incredible song for the Forgotten Famine film. Link in thread.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
Will never forget him walking into to the pub with guitar and lyrics, and all of us singing along.
Maurice’s work is a window into the space and conversations we’re trying to carve out in our town.
Maurice Macartney's Bully's Acre
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
Bully's Acre
YouTube video by The_Combination_NI
www.youtube.com
July 14, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Maurice Macartney's Bully's Acre
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
All you who enter here
Lay your flags and your titles down
Take your place
On this level ground
Come and hear the call
Step up, gather round
We’re building our new common
And a new New Town
Performed by Stephen & Maurice Macartney
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6v...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
A thread here from the @heartsofdown.bsky.social introducing the work of the multitalented Maurice Macartney @jointhecoo.bsky.social. Maurice is a thinker, writer, songwriter and musician. The song at the top of the thread is beautiful.
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A thread here from the @heartsofdown.bsky.social introducing the work of the multitalented Maurice Macartney @jointhecoo.bsky.social. Maurice is a thinker, writer, songwriter and musician. The song at the top of the thread is beautiful.
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Bully's Acre — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This is the song, Bully's Acre, written by Maurice Macartney, that appears at the end of The Forgotten Famine film. It is performed Stephen Macartney and Maurice. Hear it in full. Click the link below.
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
In so many ways it captures the heart and soul of the film.
www.heartsofdown.org/work/bullys-...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Feeling grateful to the people of Newtownards for all their generosity, stories and wisdom as we made our short film about Bully's Acre and the impact of the Great Hunger in the town.
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
The Forgotten Famine — Claire Mitchell
This is a short film that I made with my friends and neighbours in Newtownards, County Down. It’s about the impact of The Great Hunger in a town that where officalidom has disremembered some parts of ...
www.clairemitchell.net
June 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Feeling grateful to the people of Newtownards for all their generosity, stories and wisdom as we made our short film about Bully's Acre and the impact of the Great Hunger in the town.
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
While officialdom forgot this story, the people remembered.
www.clairemitchell.net/blog/2025/6/...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
An excellent film on the Great Famine's manifestation in Newtownards, and a potent reminder of its terrible impact on the North of Ireland at that time
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
An excellent film on the Great Famine's manifestation in Newtownards, and a potent reminder of its terrible impact on the North of Ireland at that time
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Last year I acted as historical consultant for this film about the workhouse burial ground in Newtownards and the impact of the Famine.
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
The Forgotten Famine
YouTube video by Hearts of Down
youtu.be
June 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Last year I acted as historical consultant for this film about the workhouse burial ground in Newtownards and the impact of the Famine.
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
So pleased to see it out in the world.
#history #irishhistory #famine
youtu.be/3i6-cHvtP6c?...
Reposted by Hearts of Down
It's so close to home, yet I didn't know this bit of our history. That image of wealth and poverty so close together feels uncomfortably familiar. North Down gets stereotyped as if everyone's comfortably off - or rich. But today as then, stories of struggling people get lost in the shuffle.
This is a short film about a hidden aspect of the past in a little corner of Co Down. It’s a little less hidden today! That's thanks to everyone who watched it, liked and reposted the link. The response has been so encouraging. Thank you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
The Forgotten Famine
YouTube video by Hearts of Down
www.youtube.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
It's so close to home, yet I didn't know this bit of our history. That image of wealth and poverty so close together feels uncomfortably familiar. North Down gets stereotyped as if everyone's comfortably off - or rich. But today as then, stories of struggling people get lost in the shuffle.
This is a short film about a hidden aspect of the past in a little corner of Co Down. It’s a little less hidden today! That's thanks to everyone who watched it, liked and reposted the link. The response has been so encouraging. Thank you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
The Forgotten Famine
YouTube video by Hearts of Down
www.youtube.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This is a short film about a hidden aspect of the past in a little corner of Co Down. It’s a little less hidden today! That's thanks to everyone who watched it, liked and reposted the link. The response has been so encouraging. Thank you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i6-...
Thank you for this. And couldn’t agree more. Christine Kinealy’s work is incredible.
Take 10 minutes out of your evening to read about the Great Hunger in Newtownards. A superb short film 👏👏👏. Ad Prof Kinealy’s research has shown ( www.qu.edu/faculty-and-...), the situation in Down was much worse during the famine than is usually acknowledged.
June 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Thank you for this. And couldn’t agree more. Christine Kinealy’s work is incredible.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Here's a fantastic short documentary, pulling aside the veil of them and us to show that money and power has always been the driver of division in Ireland.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Here's a fantastic short documentary, pulling aside the veil of them and us to show that money and power has always been the driver of division in Ireland.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Fantastic piece of work!!
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 27, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Fantastic piece of work!!
Reposted by Hearts of Down
When I mentioned the subject matter of this excellent film to a few local wise old heads last night they were like..yep, we know this.
That's why it's so important that an under-told story is being introduced to new audiences. Worth a watch.
That's why it's so important that an under-told story is being introduced to new audiences. Worth a watch.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 5:17 PM
When I mentioned the subject matter of this excellent film to a few local wise old heads last night they were like..yep, we know this.
That's why it's so important that an under-told story is being introduced to new audiences. Worth a watch.
That's why it's so important that an under-told story is being introduced to new audiences. Worth a watch.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Excellent short film telling a story of forgotten local history. Very promising start to a project and account worth following.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Excellent short film telling a story of forgotten local history. Very promising start to a project and account worth following.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
Bhí athas orm a bheith páirteach sa tionscadal seo. Stair faoi cheilt agus níl ach deich bomaite ann, amharcaigí air!
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Bhí athas orm a bheith páirteach sa tionscadal seo. Stair faoi cheilt agus níl ach deich bomaite ann, amharcaigí air!
Reposted by Hearts of Down
This short film is really worth the watch. We have forgotten the impact of An Gorta Mór on the 6 counties, travellers of the day say Newtownards was as bad as Skibbereen. Congratulations to the team who made it.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 1:09 PM
This short film is really worth the watch. We have forgotten the impact of An Gorta Mór on the 6 counties, travellers of the day say Newtownards was as bad as Skibbereen. Congratulations to the team who made it.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
A heartbreaking story. Please watch this labour of love.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 11:37 AM
A heartbreaking story. Please watch this labour of love.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
A few years ago, our friend Aidan messaged his dad, to ask if he knew about a place called Bully’s Acre in our town, Newtownards, with possible famine links. Nobody knew much.
After a few years of talking with friends and neighbours, and researching the history, we knew this story needed to be told
After a few years of talking with friends and neighbours, and researching the history, we knew this story needed to be told
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 11:10 AM
A few years ago, our friend Aidan messaged his dad, to ask if he knew about a place called Bully’s Acre in our town, Newtownards, with possible famine links. Nobody knew much.
After a few years of talking with friends and neighbours, and researching the history, we knew this story needed to be told
After a few years of talking with friends and neighbours, and researching the history, we knew this story needed to be told
Reposted by Hearts of Down
This film was a labour of love. The joy of working with friends, neighbours and comrades and the excitement of discovering an important aspect of the past in our midst.
Click here for full film and info about the making of it: www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
Follow @heartsofdown.bsky.social
Click here for full film and info about the making of it: www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
Follow @heartsofdown.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
This film was a labour of love. The joy of working with friends, neighbours and comrades and the excitement of discovering an important aspect of the past in our midst.
Click here for full film and info about the making of it: www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
Follow @heartsofdown.bsky.social
Click here for full film and info about the making of it: www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
Follow @heartsofdown.bsky.social
Listen out for the song at the end of the film, written by @jointhecoo.bsky.social (Maurice Macartney) and sung by his brother Stephen (King Cedar). The whole song will follow soon.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Listen out for the song at the end of the film, written by @jointhecoo.bsky.social (Maurice Macartney) and sung by his brother Stephen (King Cedar). The whole song will follow soon.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
This is an amazing piece of work. 10 minutes well spent.
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 8:53 AM
This is an amazing piece of work. 10 minutes well spent.
Reposted by Hearts of Down
God but I am so glad someone is telling this story.
Newtownards had the highest amount of soup kitchens. People forget the offspring of the poor farmers dragged over by the undertakers were affected too
Newtownards had the highest amount of soup kitchens. People forget the offspring of the poor farmers dragged over by the undertakers were affected too
Our short film about the Great Hunger in Newtownards.
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
There are Bully’s Acres all over Ireland – mass graves, where victims of an Gorta Mór and harsh workhouse regimes lie buried.
‘The Forgotten Famine’ is about one of them, in a quiet corner of County Down…
www.heartsofdown.org/work/the-for...
The Forgotten Famine — Hearts of Down
www.heartsofdown.org
June 26, 2025 at 7:59 AM
God but I am so glad someone is telling this story.
Newtownards had the highest amount of soup kitchens. People forget the offspring of the poor farmers dragged over by the undertakers were affected too
Newtownards had the highest amount of soup kitchens. People forget the offspring of the poor farmers dragged over by the undertakers were affected too