The drawing room at Burton Park Country house in Churchtown, Co. Cork hosted an exhibition of Native American Indian memorabilia last weekend. Original and replica items were displayed for people to view and purchase, many of the regular customers at the Slí Eile community market popped into the seventeenth century house to add head masks, head dresses, warrior statues or books to their weekly shop. Fans of American history or those simply recalling their younger days of watching ‘Cowboy and Indian’ films were delighted with the authentic quality of items on display. Books and posters gave visitors an insight into the customs and traditional way of life of the native American people. Any replica items which were not sold at the exhibition will be available to buy at the Slí Eile vintage shop in Charleville.
The exhibition and fundraiser was the idea of local army veteran Michael Anthony Kelly who himself has regularly displayed historical Irish army related memorabilia at Slí Eile. He was gifted the entire native American collection by the daughter of a collector who spent his lifetime building it. Michael felt the collection should be displayed to the public so they could also appreciate the rich culture of the native American Indian community. He also suggested selling parts of the collection and donating funds raised to Slí Eile to continue their important work of supporting people recovering from mental health issues. Slí Eile, based at Burton park, Churchtown is Ireland’s only residential mental health recovery social farm. Special guest Michael met many of the visitors including a group of visiting support workers from By Bram Care Farm which provides a similar service to Slí Eile near Utrecht in The Netherlands. They were visiting Slí Eile as part of an international research project looking at peer to peer recovery for people recovering from mental issues as well as the benefits of therapeutic social farms. It was felt that the nature based, rural setting of Slí Eile would be an ideal location for the exhibition. Michael is an Irish Army veteran and member of O.N.E, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, also in attendance from O.N.E was poet, musician and veteran Tracy Connolly who eloquently spoke about connections between community and care organizations. Co-launching the exhibition, she said “We’re gathered in a place that radiates hope and healing, Slí Eile, a charity whose work we in O.N.E deeply admire. Though we come from different backgrounds military and mental health, we are united by a single, powerful mission to support people in rebuilding their lives with dignity, purpose, and connection. Michael’s donation of Native American memorabilia to Slí Eile is a beautiful and symbolic gesture. These items speak to heritage, strength, and spiritual resilience values that resonate across all communities, especially those who have faced struggle, trauma, or isolation.” Continuing she said “This donation is more than an offering it’s a bridge. A bridge bet-ween two organisations who understand that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation it happens in community. O.N.E has long supported homeless and vulnerable veterans. Slí Eile has been a sanctuary for those experiencing mental health challenges. And now, through shared courses, collaborations, and conversations like today’s, we are supporting each other, learning from one another and showing how much stronger we are together.” CEO of Slí Eile, Jess Angland said it is hoped that some of the authentic original pieces from the collection can be ‘rehomed’ to their native American community, she is currently in discussion with a university here to identify the most appropriate community and connect with them. The community of north Cork supports the work of Slí Eile through their market, vintage shop and events, this fundraiser was truly unique, as it will not only benefit the tenants of Slí Eile but will connect two communities across an ocean.