Latest news with #WilliamtheConqueror
The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Best spots to visit in Hampshire according to readers
If you're visiting, it might be a hard job to pick where to go, as there are plenty of places rich in history or full of natural beauty to choose from. Due to the abundance of choice, it might pose the question of what the ultimate place to visit in Hampshire is. Therefore, we decided to ask Daily Echo readers to share the one place they would recommend people to go to in the county. The one place people need to visit in Hampshire according to readers There was quite a variety of comments left on the Facebook post, ranging from picturesque natural beauty spots to points of historical interest. King Arthur's Round Table in Winchester was mentioned by one reader for the latter point, which is part of the Great Hall at Westgate Museum. It is said to be "one of the finest medieval halls in England", which was built as part of Winchester Castle by William the Conqueror. Its website adds: "Step inside the legendary Great Hall and marvel at its soaring arches, rich history and the iconic Round Table, linked to King Arthur's legend in popular fiction, and walk through the formidable Westgate, where echoes of centuries past still linger in the stone." On the more natural side of things, Exbury Gardens in the New Forest was highlighted by one reader. Exbury Gardens were highlighted for their natural beauty (Image: Stuart Talbot/Camera Club) Its website says it contains "200 acres of woodland, herbaceous and formal gardens to enjoy". Other features include a narrow-gauge steam railway, a play area, a log trail and riverside walks, making it perfect for a day out. Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley Abbey was also brought up, which offers a mixture of nature and history to explore. Located on the shores of Southampton Water, it comprises around 200 acres, mixing up parkland, woodland and a shingle beach. Visitors can also explore The Chapel, which was once part of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital. Royal Victoria Country Park has lots to explore (Image: Alison Treacher/Camera Club) Here you can learn about the people who worked and were treated at the hospital, and go to the top of the 150-foot chapel tower. Some readers brought up individual villages as being among the best places to visit in Hampshire, which included Milford-on-Sea, Bucklers Hard and Burley. In terms of museums, Southampton's SeaCity Museum, which tells the story of the Titanic in relation to the city, and the Beaulieu Motor Museum were recommended. Recommended reading: Southampton's Mayflower Theatre was highlighted by one reader, with Winchester Cathedral and Portsmouth's historic dockyard also included. One person went for a slightly different tack in suggesting The Joiners, which is a small music venue in Southampton. This grassroots spot has seen plenty of legendary bands play there, including Oasis, The Verve, The Wombats, Two Door Cinema Club, The 1975, Radiohead and many more.
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Should we celebrate the Normans?
THE 'EUROPEAN YEAR of the Normans' is due to take place in 2027, commemorating a millennium since the birth of William the Conqueror. The year-long, cross-country event aims to recognise the impact of the Normans on both Ireland and the rest of Europe. The Normans 'left their mark in monumental ways,' said Housing and Heritage Minister James Browne. Advertisement However, the announcement of this plan has been described as 'offensive' by Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh. The TD described the plans as an attempt to 'scrape the barrel of colonialism, imperialism and English royalism' for the sake of 'themed tourism'. So today we're asking you: Should we celebrate the Normans? Poll Results: No (935) Yes (635) Unsure (213) Yes No Unsure Vote
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Sinn Féin blasts 'offensive' Government plan to commemorate birth of William the Conqueror
A PLAN TO commemorate the first Norman king of England William the Conqueror 1,000 years on from his birth has been met with dismay from Sinn Féin. Describing the announcement as 'offensive', Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said it beggared belief given the 'legacy of William's successors invading and subjugating Ireland in the name of his English crown', with the Normans responsible for '900 years of occupation' in Ireland. The plan was announced today by Housing and Heritage Minister James Browne, who said the Normans 'left their mark in monumental ways' as he announced that organisations can now submit projects for the 2027 commemoration. The Normans, who landed in Wexford's Bannow Bay in 1169, were responsible for the foundation of many Irish towns and the 'European Year of the Normans' proposes exhibitions, live performances, cross-border artistic residencies, re-enactments, student exchanges and more. However, Ó Snodaigh slammed Browne's plan as amounting to 'scraping the barrel of colonialism, imperialism and English royalism' for the sake of 'themed tourism'. While Ó Snodaigh said we should 'take pride in the rich architectural, cultural, and literary heritage' of Anglo-Norman Ireland, the party draws the line at focusing the commemoration around England's first Norman king. In a statement tonight, the Dublin South Central TD referred back to Fine Gael's aborted 2020 plan to mark the Black and Tans. Advertisement 'Only a short time has passed since Fine Gael tried to commemorate the Black and Tans, and now Fianna Fáil is trying to go further by dedicating an entire year in celebration of 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror,' said Ó Snodaigh, who is the party's spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture. What will they think of next: A Festival of Cromwell? A Famine Queen Jubilee? Ó Snodaigh said that William himself was a 'foreign king who never set foot in Ireland, and had nothing to do with Ireland,' but in spite of this his birth will be 'given a higher honour than bestowed by an Irish Government on any figure from Gaelic Irish history'. He blasted the government for letting recent anniversaries pass by 'with little more than a whimper', referencing the recent 1500th anniversary of the birth of Ireland's patron saint Colmcille. Similarly, Ó Snodaigh said the '900th anniversary of the founding of the first settlement of Galway by the legendary High King Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair' went unmarked 'officially by any organ of the State'. 'The website of the Normandy region behind the Millenium celebrations clearly states that 2027 was chosen as the year of 'Normans, People of Europe' to mark the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror,' Ó Snodaigh said. He accepted that there was a plan for tourism behind the commemoration plan, but said that celebrating England's William the Conqueror is simply a 'step too far'. 'This is not a commemoration for Ireland. Marking the birth of a future English king is not for us, even if it was 1,000 years ago. Rather we should always be remembering those great figures of Ireland's past who actually lived here and contributed positively to our island story, celebrating our Irish history and identity, and the links that stretch before the Norman invasion: the Gaels' place in Europe.' The Dublin TD pointed to 'brave Irish heroes of Norman descent' who rebelled against England, listing out the Desmond Rebellion of the 1360s through to 'United Irishman Lord Edward Fitzgerald, in whose Leinster House our Dáil now meets'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Plans to commemorate William the Conqueror 'a step too far', says Sinn Féin TD
Fianna Fáil has been blasted by Sinn Féin over what it described as an 'offensive' plan to commemorate William the Conqueror. Housing minister James Browne on Tuesday announced plans to engage with a trans-European cultural initiative known as '2027 The Year of the Normans'. The year-long commemoration in 2027 aims to celebrate "a shared history that has shaped the island of Ireland and Europe". Mr Browne said Ireland's Norman heritage is shared across the island, both north and south, and in the UK and wider Europe. 'From their arrival in Wexford in the late 12th century, the Normans left their mark in monumental ways across our urban and rural landscapes, building towns and castles, abbeys and cathedrals that stand to this day,' Mr Browne said. 'Through our engagement with this initiative, we will build and strengthen links with the Normandy region and further afield, and grow our wonderful tourism offering here. As we work with stakeholders, we are confident that this initiative will have a lasting legacy, delivering concrete achievements with economic and social benefits, and all carried out in a respectful, sensitive manner as all historical commemorations must be. However, Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has lambasted the proposal, comparing it to a controversial Fine Gael proposal to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary, the police force when Ireland was occupied by the UK until independence, and of which the notorious Black and Tans were part. The Fine Gael proposal had a significantly negative effect on the party's 2020 general election campaign. 'Only a short time has passed since Fine Gael tried to commemorate the Black and Tans, and now Fianna Fáil is trying to go further by dedicating an entire year in celebration of 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror,' Mr Ó Snodaigh said. William the Conqueror was the first Norman king of England, ruling from 1066 until his death in 1087. The Normans arrived in Ireland less than a century later, conquering large parts of the country. Mr Ó Snodaigh said Ireland knows 'well enough the legacy of William's successors invading and subjugating Ireland in the name of his English crown, with Strongbow ushering in the 900 years of occupation, with the North still under the descendents of William the Conqueror's Crown'. What will they think of next: A Festival of Cromwell? A Famine Queen Jubilee? He said Ireland should acknowledge, protect, and take pride in the 'rich architectural, cultural, and literary heritage that stands testament to Anglo-Norman Ireland'. 'We should make the most of Ireland's Norman heritage to boost tourism, to create jobs, to support communities, and reinforce links with families tracing their Norman Irish roots and with other places who share a Norman heritage, but celebrating England's William the Conqueror, however, is a step too far.' he said Read More Cobh to mark 200th anniversary of settler scheme that saw 2,000 leave for Canada
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin accuses Fianna Fáil of bid to commemorate William the Conqueror
Sinn Féin has accused Fianna Fáil of pushing the Government to commemorate the birth of England's first Norman king, William the Conqueror. It follows Cabinet approval today to participate in a European cultural initiative called '2027 The Year of the Normans'. The proposal was brought to the Government by Minister for Housing James Browne who said the initiative would benefit tourism and economic growth while increasing public engagement with Ireland's Norman heritage. "Our Norman history is shared across this island, north and south, and with the UK and wider Europe, from Scandinavia to Sicily. "From their arrival in Wexford in the late 12th century, the Normans left their mark in monumental ways across our urban and rural landscapes, building towns and castles, abbeys and cathedrals that stand to this day," Mr Browne said. However, Sinn Féin's spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, described the move as offensive. "We Irish know well enough the legacy of William's successors invading and subjugating Ireland in the name of his English crown, with Strongbow ushering in the 900 years of occupation, with the North still under the descendants of William the Conqueror's crown. "The website of the Normandy region behind the millennium celebrations clearly states that 2027 was chosen as the year of 'Normans, People of Europe' to mark the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror.
