Lecky’s Legacy: Unique heritage project launched at Tyrone fleadh

AS part of this year’s Tyrone Fleadh in Fintona, a groundbreaking digital heritage project will launch celebrating one of the town’s most fascinating and under-recognised historical figures.

Cat Brogan, poet, Omagh Pride co-founder, and creative producer, will unveil ‘Lecky’s Legacy: Augmented Reality Experience’, a powerful reimagining of the life of Raymond Browne Lecky — a flamboyant performer, female impersonator, and local benefactor who lived at Ecclesville House until his death in 1961.

The experience uses cutting-edge augmented reality and 3D technology to bring Lecky’s world to life — including his original scrapbook, reproduced with the kind permission of PRONI, and the now-demolished Ecclesville House.

Users can access the experience via smartphone at physical locations in Fintona or remotely from anywhere in the world.

It has been developed with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Digital Evolution Programme, and designed in partnership with Yellow Design, Belfast, who specialise in interactive visitor experiences.

The launch is part of a special evening of history and heritage at Fintona Golf Club during the Fleadh: Vincent Brogan will discuss Fintona’s churches and Old Donacavey Graveyard. Declan Forde will share captivating Tyrone tales. William Anderson will present on the Tyrone poems of W.F. Marshall

Cat Brogan said, “Lecky’s story deserves to be remembered, not just as part of queer history, but as part of Fintona’s. I’m so grateful to everyone who contributed — from NI Screen to PRONI, local historians, the people of Fintona who still fondly remember Browne Lecky — and to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and National Lottery players for making this work possible.

“I hope this project helps reimagine rural queer heritage as something visible, celebrated, and deeply rooted in community.”

Matthew Malcolm, creative industries development officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland awarded Cat Brogan National Lottery arts funding through our Digital Evolution Programme to create a special work of art that would provide a fitting celebration of one of Northern Ireland’s more colourful characters, Raymond Browne Lecky, and the vibrant legacy he left in Fintona.

“We are delighted to support artists such as Cat Brogan, who are working at the interface between cutting-edge technology and the arts”.

The experience will launch on Tuesday, May 20 at Fintona Golf Club at 8pm. A celebration of local heritage, memory, and inclusive storytelling, this event is free and open to the public.