Emotional reunions, reminiscences and exchanges of fresh information were prompted by Homes Fit for Heroes, an exhibition telling the story of the 11 ex-servicemen who came to live and farm on Cleenish Island after the Great War.

The special event held recently in Cleenish Parish Hall in Bellanaleck attracted upwards of 400 visitors, including grandchildren of two of the original settlers who had travelled from England to be present. 

The exhibition, representing two years’ work by Bellanaleck Local History Group, was opened by Elizabeth Crooke, Professor of Museum and Heritage Studies, University of Ulster, who had acted as advisor to the group in mounting it. 

She congratulated them on the quality of their research, reflected in the content and on the excellent presentation of the exhibits. She spoke about the importance of recording local history and the opportunity that gave to communities to come together in mutual understanding and respect.

Relatives were given a special preview and gathered together for supper before the opening. Tracey McRory from Dunree, Inishowen, played the harp and then her own composition entitled Messines Ridge, followed by a moving rendition of Danny Boy on the fiddle.

The research undertaken by the group was reflected in displays about the houses on the island and about the ‘float’ a heavy unstable vessel with winch and cable which was used to convey islanders and animals to and from the mainland. Each of the 11 settlers was individually profiled and a booklet prepared for each family. 

Archive documents were used to illustrate the story from contemporary sources, including a register showing the names and personal details of some 240 Fermanagh ex-servicemen who applied in 1920 for ex-soldiers housing in the county.

Visitors could listen to a BBC programme from 1975 in the radio series ‘Up Country,’ when Helen Madden talked to Johnny Balfour about his experiences in the war and the hardships of life on Cleenish Island.
Johnny was the only ex-serviceman to stay on his holding and lived to be almost 102. 

Helen Madden, remembered by many as Miss Helen of Romper Room, visited the exhibition and listened again to the programme. She recalled how Johnny had stipulated at the start that he did not want to talk about the war but later relented and spoke emotionally about his experiences in the trenches.

Medals were on display and an autograph book lent by Mrs. Rita Swift attracted much attention. It belonged to her aunt Sister Elizabeth Kavanagh from Maguiresbridge, who nursed recovering soldiers in several military hospitals in London and further afield during the war.

A display of 20 photographs taken on the island by highly regarded photographer Mark Rhead, based in Berkshire, added an extra dimension to the exhibition and attracted great admiration. Limited edition prints of the photographs will be available online.

Over the course of the weekend, there were emotional reunions, much reminiscing and exchanges of fresh information between the group and visitors.

The group recorded its indebtedness to the Heritage Lottery Fund, its main sponsors, to local funders Fermanagh Trust and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and to the many groups and individuals who had helped to bring the exhibition to fruition.

Making It Home, a film documenting the story of the WW1 ex-servicemen’s resettlement on Cleenish Island will be shown in the Ardhowen Theatre on September 9 and copies will be available later on DVD. It is planned eventually to present the Cleenish Island resettlement story in a book.