Loughan House celebrates 50 years in community

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice will visit Loughan House Open Centre in Blacklion this afternoon to mark the 50th anniversary of the open prison facility in the community.

Minister James Browne is the special guest at the afternoon of celebrations and will open a newly-constructed media studio.

Award-winning chef Neven Maguire will also give a cookery demonstration at 2:30pm as part of the Loughan House Food & Craft Fair.

Neven's restaurant, MacNean House & Bistro, is also based in Blacklion.

The event will also feature a farmers market and a mass for serving and retired staff.

All local communities invited to attend this event to mark occasion.

A willow sculpture has been crafted by a team of prisoners to mark the anniversary and depicts “An Bonnan Buí” or “the Yellow Bittern” which is the name of the Loughan House Social Enterprise company.

An Bonnan Buí was an Irish poem written by local poet Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna in the 18th Century and translated to English by renowned poet Seamus Heaney.

https://ireland-calling.com/an-bonnan-bui/

Loughan House is an open prison for males aged 18 years and over who are regarded as requiring lower levels of security.