More than 15,000 people from counties Tipperary, Clare and Limerick’s Mid-West Region are expected to pass through the gates of Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.
Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers will be judging the Easter Bonnet Competition at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter.
The popular County Clare visitor attractions are hosting a comprehensive programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park’s Easter events will be held on Friday, April 18th, Saturday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 20th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
The public is invited to step back in time with reenactors from Clan Life and Tercio Irlanda, who will bring 16th-century Gaelic Ireland to life, through engaging displays and talks on the era’s chieftains, warriors, and culture.
The traditional skills of the past will also be on display. Visitors will be able to witness the art of traditional Irish ironworking with live blacksmith demonstrations, showcasing the history and craftsmanship passed down through generations.
At 2.00 p.m. daily, the Bean an Tí will showcase the art and traditions behind Irish baking as the aroma of freshly baked griddle bread fills the interior of the Golden Vale Farmhouse.
Easter Bunny&Chick will be appearing at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen this Easter.
Along with getting the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny and Chick, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment throughout the visitor attraction, as well as live traditional Irish music.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is calling all young designers aged 12 and under to showcase their creativity using recycled or upcycled materials in the Easter Bonnet Competition. The judges, Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers, will announce the winning bonnets and hats on the village street at 2.30 p.m.
The Wobbly Circus will keep visitors entertained outside the Tea Rooms with a showcase of fire-juggling, unicycling and circus skills, while Garry Rossiter will be combining juggling, comedy, audience participation and danger through knife juggling, fire eating and stilt walking.
Guests can hop on the Bunratty Express and travel through the Folk Park past the elegant Georgian design of Bunratty House and the reconstructed Ardcroney Church, and through the Fairy Trail, woodland trails and paddocks, with their vast array of indigenous Irish animal species from Kerry Bog Ponies to Irish Red Deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish Wolfhounds Rian and Mide. The 10-minute train ride departs from the Red Barn, located behind Mac’s Pub, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
A fun and interactive Clue Trail, designed for younger visitors and their families, will lead participants through the folk park’s scenic woodland trails. Along the way, they will meet lively characters such as Mike the Seanchaí, the School Master, and the Village Policeman, all while uncovering fascinating stories from Ireland’s past.
Ms Marie Brennan(Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park), said, “The Easter bank holiday weekend will be filled with various family-friendly activities and entertainment suitable for all ages. Visitors can expect a diverse range of attractions, including circus performances, storytelling sessions, train rides and living history reenactments. The programme aims to offer a blend of fun and educational experiences and is an opportunity for everyone to join us in a true Easter celebration.”
The Easter Bunny makes a quick leap from Bunratty to Craggaunowen, where more exciting activities await on Easter Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tony Baloney will entertain with his puppet show, while The Wobbly Circus provide fire-juggling, unicycle and circus tricks.
Craggaunowen will celebrate Ireland’s ancient crafts with talented artisans hosting woodworking, blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations.
There will also be an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny at the popular East Clare visitor attraction, which has undergone significant investment and upgrades during the past year.
Saddened to observe recently, that a plaque which commerated the battle of Thurles, has been damaged beyond repair, during efforts to prise same from its walled position, at the entrance to ‘Ard Carraig’ housing estate, situated east of the town, on the Dublin Road out of Thurles town.
“The Battle of Thurles” by the late Michael Hogan (31st October 1828 – 19th April 1899) known as the ‘Bard of Thomond’.
The war-fires light gleamed red all night, along the mountain gloom. King Dónal’s men are up again, from Limerick to Slieve Bloom. From glen and wood, the bone and blood of his fierce and fearless clan, In wild array, at dawn of day, o’er Ormond’s plains swept on.
From Waterford the Norman hoarde to the plains of Ikerrin came, In vengeful haste the land to waste with sword and destroying flame. Left and right with sweeping might, the headlong hosts engaged, And life ne’er bled, in a strife so red, while that combat of bloodhounds raged.
But, as the heave of the mad sea wave is barred by the crag filled shore, So that iron tide, on Durlas’s* side, was stopped by King Donald Mór. There’s revelry high and boisterous joy from Cashel to Shannon’s shore, And Luimneach waits to open the gates, for her conquering Donald Mór.
END
*Durlas – Irish for Thurles.
The above named Irish poet Michael Hogan was born in Thomondgate, Co. Limerick. His father was a wheelwright and musician, who crafted the flutes and fiddles that he played. In his early years he worked at Russell’s Mill, Lock Quay, located at the entrance of the canal flowing into the Abbey River and later in life with Limerick Corporation. In the year 1858, he married Ms Ann Lynch. They parented no known children. A life-size statue of Michael Hogan today stands, erected to his memory at King John’s Castle Plaza, in Limerick city, since 2005.
Soon, between elected local Councillors, County Council officials and ‘idle hands’, nothing will be left of our local history.
For those of you planning on heading to the shops this weekend, hereunder, please find opening and closing times of your main Thurles Town supermarkets, over this 2025 St Patrick’s weekend.
Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Pic: G. Willoughby.
St Patrick’s weekend 2025:
Aldi Opening Hours
DunnesStore Opening Hours
Lidl Opening Hours
TescoOpening Hours
SuperValu Opening Hours
Friday 14th
08:00-22:00
08:00 – 21:00
08:00-22:00
08:00-21:00
08:00-21:00
Saturday 15th
08:00-22:00
08:00 – 19:00
08:00-22:00
08:00-21:00
08:00-21:00
Sunday 16th
09:00-21:00
09:00 – 19:00
09:00-21:00
09:00-20:00
09:00-09:00
Monday 17th
09:00-21:00
09:00 – 19:00
09:00-21:00
10:00-19:00
08:00-10:00
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, while enjoying this upcoming bank holiday weekend.”
Ireland’s Patron Saint, (St Patrick) and Ireland’s national holiday will be celebrated in style in Ireland’s Mid-West strategic planning region latter consisting of the counties of Tipperary, Clare and Limerick.
On Sunday, March 16th, County Clare’s Bunratty Castle & Folk Park visitor attraction will kickstart its 2025 tourist season with a comprehensive programme of St Patrick’s weekend entertainment featuring Irish music and dancing, storytelling, demonstrations of traditional Irish crafts and skills, and many other family fun activities.
Darby O’Gill pictured at the launch of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park’s St Patrick’s weekend programme of events.
The world-famous 15th century castle also will join other famous landmarks across Ireland in being lit up in green for the weekend.
“We are inviting the public to join us in celebrating our national feast day with the perfect blend of Irish tradition, culture, and family fun to kick off our 2025 tourist season,” said Marie Brennan, (Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park).
“From world-class Irish dancing performances and traditional music sessions to encounters with St. Patrick himself and our merry band of dancing leprechauns, we have created a programme of events to entertain visitors of all ages,” she added. “Whether you are learning a ‘cúpla focal’ at our schoolhouse, watching traditional baking demonstrations, or witnessing vintage machinery at work, Bunratty offers a unique taste of Ireland’s rich heritage this St. Patrick’s weekend.”
Family fun activities include the Bunratty Express Train, Bouncy Castles in the Red Barn behind Macs Pub, and an opportunity to meet St Patrick, as he parades through the village street. There will be curious characters located throughout the Folk Park including Konor the Clown and his merry band of Dancing Leprechauns, and Finegas the Druid who will be recounting Irish fables and legends.
Irish dancing will take centre stage in the Corn Barn with performances by the Linda Ball Hoban School of Irish Dance, which has enjoyed extensive success at the World Irish Dance Championships and whose members have gone on to perform all over the world with Riverdance. Performers will be dancing between the jigs and the reels at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. There will also be live traditional Irish music seisiúns throughout the day with the public invited to bring their own instruments and join in with Bunratty’s resident musicians
For younger visitors there will be a fun and interactive Clue Trail that will lead participants to all four corners of the Folk Park through woodland trails and paddocks, with their vast array of indigenous Irish animal species from Kerry Bog Ponies to Irish Red Deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish Wolfhounds Rian and Mide.
At the schoolhouse, Bunratty’s resident Schoolmaster will be on hand to teach visitors a ‘Cúpla Focal’ and entertain with tales and traditions from school days of old, including the story of the four leafed clover and how St Patrick really drove the snakes out of Ireland.
The Bean an Tí will host a demonstration of Traditional Baking and Butter Making at 2:00pm in the Golden Vale Farmhouse where Irish superstitions will also be explained, including why it is considered bad luck to spill salt, why seeing a solo magpie can strike fear into the heart of a passerby, and why an itchy nose signifies a fight is coming in your near future.
Members of the Clare Vintage and Engine Tractor Club will be present on the day to demonstrate an array of vintage agricultural machinery at work, including corn grinders, water pumps and mini threshing machinery. Ireland’s largest collection of vintage farm machinery also will be on display around the park. The Talbot Collection have been bequeathed to the tourist attraction for permanently display throughout the 26-acre folk park and features more than 50 items of machinery, including ploughs, hay rakes, and Turnip and Mangel Seeders.
Mná Month, is held in Cashel Library every year during the month of March. The entire month morphs into one long celebration of women and it is done creatively.
International Women’s Day falls on March 8th and Mother’s Day traditionally falls towards the end of March, making this month the ideal time to make this event happen.
In a joint collaboration between Creative Ireland and Tipperary County Council Library Service, patrons are invited to celebrate women by tapping into their creativity.
The year 2025 marks the fifth year of this month-long celebration of women, with the library formerly hosting big names like Rachel Blackmore, Una Healy, Bibi Baskin, Rosemary Smyth and many more. The library will host a wonderful programme of FREE events that celebrate the achievements of women.
Annual Mná Month in Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.
“This year the library service particularly welcomes non-nationals, the LGBTQ+ community, the active aged and adults who live with Dementia and Neurodivergence” says Ms Maura Barrett, (Branch Librarian and co-ordinator); adding “The library service is for everyone and it is important that we spread our reach as far as is possible.”
Saturday March 1st, Mná Month begins with a concert by the Wood of O, with doors open at 7.30pm. Comprising of singer-songwriter MsBreege Phelan and Songwriter/Composer MrWill McLellan, who have been mesmerising audiences for nearly a decade now, with their own unique original material and classic folk songs.
On Monday March 3rd, beginning at 11:00am the Cashel library will host ‘Write Minds Poetry Workshop’ facilitated by Ms Eileen Acheson & MsJenny Cox. This Poetry & Wellness is targeted at beginner and early-stage writers and is a fun and safe space, where writers are encouraged to put pen to paper using creative prompts, and wellness techniques.
On Monday March 3rd, and Monday March 10th beginning at 2:00pm Cashel library hosts English Conversation for new arrivals with experienced Failte Isteach tutors. These are fun filled and structured English conversations for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners of English.
On Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th of March, beginning at 2:00pm, Cashel library hosts a ‘Mnásome Quiz’, for the Active Aged, facilitated by librarian Ms Claire Grant. This promises to be both competitive and great craic with prizes for the winning team. Also, on Tuesday March 4th, beginning at 6:00pm, there is an Art Exhibition Launch with well-known and local artist Ms Joan O’Brien, who paints the female essence and her emotions. Her work embodies the mystical, spiritual and ethereal side of nature. Joan utilises mixed media like glass, paint and inks in her art works. This exhibition continues for the month.
On Saturday March 8th, beginning at 11:00am, there will be ‘Circle Dancing’ on International Women’s Day with Ms Tracey Tobin. Circle Dance is a gentle healing way to bring body, mind & spirit together. This workshop helps to relieve daily stress and release creative energy. It is the place where you can let your mind learn from your body. “I’ve always been struck by the quiet and unsummed female attribute of women’s creativity”, states Ms Maura Barrett(co-ordinator), “It is something that often goes undeclared but does so much to enrich the lives of others. This gift of creativity, drawn from the heart and mind is freely given, and translates into many things. It all requires vision, imagination, organisation, problem solving and orchestrating which is a creative skillset, even if many women don’t recognise it as such.”
Other events will include Comhrá as gaeilge; Hidden History(in collaboration with the County Museum); Genealogy; Making Birdboxes(with Elke Wilson); Jewellery Making(with GG Designs); Celtic Ceol & Craic(with Ms Patrice Davern); Candle Painting and Print Making(with Ms Lisa Manton); Women’s Health(with Ms Sabine Eggars); Crystal Healing(with Eileen Heneghan); Shamanic Drumming(with the O’Riains); Mnásome Karoke; Ceili Dancing; Queer Stories; Author Interviews and a Movie Night.
Note: Do please make sure to book your place early if you see an event you like, because seating accomodation will get booked very quickly as the month progresses! Booking Please to Tel: 062 63825
You canlocate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX).
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