Unveiling of Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque...

13 December 2014, 14:00, Ulster-Scots Agency Regional Office, William Street, Raphoe, County Donegal

Runs to 13 December 2014

The Ulster-Scots Agency is hosting an event to mark the unveiling of an Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque for Sarah Leech, the poetess of Ballylennon at the Regional Office, William Street, Raphoe on Saturday 13th December 2014 at 2pm.

The event will take place at 2pm on 13th December 2014 at the Ulster Scots Agency offices, William Street, Raphoe, Co.Donegal.

Refreshments will be available after the unveiling in the Agency office.

Sarah Leech was born in 1809 in Ballylennan, in east Donegal. She was one of six children in the family of Thomas Leech, a linen weaver, and his wife. Sarah’s father died when she was three, and the family then had to support themselves. She was at school for only six months, but Sarah developed a love of books, and a strong religious faith. From the age of twelve, she worked at the spinning wheel, a tedious task, but while she worked, she read and also composed her poetry.

                                          Wi’ heck weel-teeth’d, and spit renew’d

                                          I sat me down to spin contented

Her work exhibits an enthusiasm for the people and places she knew, and it is noteworthy that the rhythm of her verses matches that of her spinning wheel. In 1822 the young poet moved with her mother and family to Lettergull, where she lived until her death in 1830. Much of her poetry uses the Ulster Scots tongue of her hearth and home, and in 1828 a collection of her work was published as Poems on Various Subjects, in order to offer her some small income.  When she was seventeen, Sarah had been in danger of losing her sight, and rheumatism afflicted her until she died, aged 21.  Sarah Leech is acknowledged as occupying a unique place in literary history, as the prominent female poet within the weaver poet tradition.

RSVP  - Audrey Freen at +353 7 4917 3876 or

freena@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

or Maud Hamill/ Ulster History Circle. 07766823535.