Postcards from the 'big alley'

On August 24th, as Heritage Week commences, 50 communities across Ireland will receive a set of postcards showing a photo they have taken of their local 30x60handball alley. Community members will then write the story of their alley on each card before posting them to the other 49 participating communities.

By the end of Heritage Week, each community will receive 49 postcards telling the stories of other ‘big alleys’ throughout Ireland. A local public event will be organised to display the postcard collection to the wider public and thereby share the stories collected.

The aim of this project is to encourage community pride in the ‘big alley’- the 30’x 60’ alley constructed mainly in the first half of the 20th century, and considered one of Ireland’s few vernacular buildings.

Cost to community is purchase of postage stamps only (approx. €30). Project coordination, postcard design and postcard printing will be undertaken by make use: buildings places situations, as part of wider research about these alleys, supported by The Heritage Council.

how to take part

STEP 1: EXPRESS INTEREST BY E-MAIL OR PHONE
ASAP to irishhandballalley@gmail.com, or 087 7554882

STEP 2: TALK TO PEOPLE
to learn about your local alley and decide how to tell its story

STEP 3: TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH
send by e-mail before Sunday August 10. 2008

STEP 4: RECEIVE 50 POSTCARDS OF YOUR ALLEY
posted to nominated local address, prior to August 22

STEP 5: GET-TOGETHER TO WRITE POSTCARDS
at beginning of Heritage Week, August 24th

STEP 6: SEND POSTCARDS
using pre-addressed lables provided. stamps not provided.

STEP 7: COLLECT POSTCARDS RECEIVED IN POST
posted to address of nominated local representative

STEP 8: DISPLAY POSTCARD COLLECTION
e.g. lay out on table for people to pick up, read and replace

Contact: Áine Ryan, make use ltd.
tel:087 7554882, e-mail: irishhandballalley@gmail.com