The cottage built in the 18th century hasn’t changed a great deal in the past few hundred years. Preserving the quaint cottage’s heritage is very important to Margaret. Her care and attention to detail was recently acknowledged at the Heritage Angel Awards NI. 

The awards funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and supported by the Department for Communities and Derry and Strabane District Council celebrate individuals and groups who have rescued historic buildings or sites, worked as craftsmen or apprentices, or recorded and interpreted historic places.

Margaret was one of seven award winners at the awards ceremony held in the Guildhall in Derry. On the night Margaret took home the best heritage, research, interpretation or recording award.

Nicola McVeigh, Chief Executive at the Ulster Architectural Heritage said she was ‘delighted’ that Northern Ireland was once again successfully recognised in local Heritage Angels. 

“We were truly overwhelmed by the level of interest demonstrated by the Northern Irish heritage sector with over eighty nominations and applications received from a diverse range of projects. The ceremony gave us the opportunity to recognise not only our winners but also everyone who took the time to enter.” 

She added that she hopes the success of this year’s awards will encourage even more entries in 2019 as well as awakening a renewed interest in our local heritage sector.

Andrew Lloyd Webber congratulated each of the winners of heritage awards. He went on to comment on their commitment to heritage projects, “They all deserve to be celebrated for their significant roles in saving Northern Ireland’s Heritage and for the time, enthusiasm, skills and energy that they have dedicated to this important cause.”