Each time capsule contains a computer memory stick with material on each of the 27 towns, villages and beauty spots, including essays by local schoolchildren about life in 2007, photographs and articles about community life.

The sandstone chairs have been commissioned by the cross-border Clones-Erne East Partnership group and the innovative project hopes it will attract positive attention to an area, which has suffered during the conflict in the North.

The first chair was officially launched on 21 June at Carnmore/Carnrock on the historic Sliabh Beagh hill, which is said to have biblical connections. Hundreds of people attended the launch at the picturesque site where the nine counties of Ulster can be seen from the chair on a clear day.

The site is steeped in history and mythology as it is said that Bith, the son of Noah, and his daughter Ceasair came to the area with 50 beautiful handmaidens before the biblical floods. It is also said that Bith is buried at the rock.

The 27 time capsules are registered on the Global Positioning System so that visitors and tourists can find them easily and go on the 'Chair Trail' to the 27 sites.

Clones-Erne East Partnership (CEEP) was formed in 2002 by Fermanagh, Monaghan and Clones councils to work with communities on local issues to improve the social and economic development of the area and promote tourism.

CEEP project manager, AnnMarie Fryers, said the chairs were seen as a symbol of hope for the future. "The chairs are very much a community project as the local information has come from people in the area. They will provide a fantastic focal point and future reference for this very historic area, " she said.

"Our local schoolchildren have contributed essays and these will be stored in their own handwriting, along with pictures of the children - what a fantastic snapshot of our lives which will be stored today and accessed in the future."