A Night in Rosemount

For Heritage Week, we plan to host a traditional raking evening called A Night in Rosemount. Raking was a long-standing custom in Donegal and rural Ireland, where neighbours gathered in the evenings to share stories, music, conversation and local news. It helped foster a strong sense of belonging, connection and shared identity within the community.
This tradition was deeply rooted in Rosemount, as recalled by former Mayor Jim Lynch in his article A Night in Rosemount, where he described it as the perfect way to spend a winter evening in front of a good fire with interesting company.

Our event will celebrate this heritage by bringing people together to share memories of Rosemount and old Letterkenny, while also welcoming members of other cultures to contribute stories, poetry, music, song or dance from their own traditions.

Inclusion will be a central theme, creating a warm and welcoming space for everyone.
The event will be promoted through committee meetings, social media, flyers, shops and public notice boards. We will also personally encourage community members who may be shy to take part.

Refreshments will be provided, and with permission, stories may be recorded for social media and preserved in a small booklet.

This event could become the beginning of future community gatherings celebrating connection, culture and shared heritage.

All Welcome!