Mid-West region (Tipperary, Limerick and Clare) to host Ireland’s first showcase of indigenous breeds as part of Heritage Week.
Ireland’s first celebration of indigenous animal breeds will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, on Sunday August 18th, as part of a wide-ranging programme of National Heritage Week events at the County Clare visitor attraction.
Hosted in association with the Irish Native Rare Breed Society(INRBS), the inaugural event will include livestock displays of native breeds such as Tamworth Pigs and Irish Red Deer, lectures on rare breed conservation, and tastings of products derived from indigenous breeds. Specialists in crafts involving wool, leather and beeswax, also, will provide demonstrations and displays of their finished artworks and garments.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park’s Shinead Moloney pictured with resident Irish Wolfhounds Rian and Míde.
The event will feature speakers from The Rare Breeds Survival Trust(RBST), Farming for Nature(FFN) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service(NPWS), as well as ecologists and people working with the breeds, who will provide different perspectives on breed conservation and the associated area of biodiverse land management.
“One of our primary missions is to increase awareness of native Irish breeds and how they have formed part of our social and cultural history in Ireland down through the centuries,” explained Mr Niall Moloney, Farm Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. “We are always looking to expand on our collection of native Irish animals from Droimeann cattle to Kerry Bog Ponies and from Irish Wolfhounds to Tamworth pigs, and, in doing so, help to preserve and promote our heritage. Heritage Week provides an ideal opportunity to showcase breeds that are unique to Ireland,” added Mr. Moloney.
Mr Tom Keane of the INRBS commented, “We are excited about partnering with Bunratty for an event that will have a broad focus for people of all ages, whether they are familiar with some or all of the breeds of livestock on display or have little to no knowledge of the breeds. The aim of the event, in addition to the display of livestock and associated crafts involving products derived from the breeds and information provided on the day itself, is to stimulate positive collaborations between the various stakeholders going forward.”
The rare breeds event is included in a comprehensive programme of National Heritage Week (17-25th August) events happening at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen where the public is being invited to explore the traditions and practices, knowledge and skills passed down through generations.
At Bunratty, animators will showcase life in times past through storytelling and roleplaying as visitors learn about life as a doctor in early 20th century Ireland, a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Policeman, a musician in the 1900s and as a blacksmith. Meanwhile, there will be woodworking demonstrations by TikTok sensation Eoin Reardon, willow weaving and stone masonry workshops, talks on Celtic folklore and mythology, a tour of the 19th century Bunratty House, a traditional thatching demonstration and an introduction to the Regency Plant Collection at the Victorian Walled Garden.
Meanwhile, Craggaunowen will host reenactors and tradespeople from across Clare, who will demonstrate the crafts and traditions of old, including spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, log splitting, bread and butter making, candle making, wool dyeing and bagpipe playing, while stories of mythology and the history of the Ogham stones will be recounted.
Bunratty Heritage Week highlights:
Woodworker Extraordinaire(August 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th) – Bunratty’s resident woodworker and TikTok sensation Eoin Reardon(@PintofPlane) demonstrates how he makes an array of wooden items using old traditional methods as he rescued all sorts of items from a currach to a sugan chair.
A Blacksmith’s Life(August 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th) – Hear the hammer and anvil at work as Bunratty’s resident blacksmith James O’Connor and delve into the rich history of iron working in the unique setting of the courtyard of Bunratty Castle.
Crochet & Cross Stitching in the 19th Century(August 17-20th) – Bunratty’s resident artisan, Liv will speak about and demonstrate the rich history and intricate beauty of crochet and cross-stitching. She will explain how during famine times, low-income households sold their exquisite shawls, blankets, and lacework to wealthy ladies, blending necessity with artistry.
Willow Weaving(August 17th – 25th inclusive) – Tom Delaney of Ould Crafty will make traditional style baskets and other items from locally sourced willow. Regularly featured on TV, Tom also uses willow to make bird feeders, plant supports, boats and willow houses.
Stone Carving & Masonry(August 22nd & 23rd) – Master Stonemason and conservation worker Dominic Keogh will bring the beauty of carved stone to life by demonstrating how the age-old craft has been passed down through generations, preserving the techniques and traditions that have built some of the country’s most iconic structures.
Celtic Folklore & Mythology(August 19th, 20th & 21st) – Drawing inspiration from Ireland’s rich oral tradition, Balor O’Brien will speak about his life collecting folklore and bringing Ireland’s storied past to life.
Traditional Thatching Demonstration(August 19th to 23rd) – Visitors can watch Bunratty’s resident Thatcher Adrian Garvey at work and hear about the skills and materials required to perform this time-honoured craft.
Tours of Bunratty House(daily) – Meet the caretaker of Bunratty House to hear the history of the family who occupied the Georgian-era house, explore the living quarters, bedrooms, nursery, dining room and more.
Regency Plant Collection(August 19th to 23rd) – The gardening team in the Regency Walled Garden discuss the processes and care involved in the planting and maintenance of the many heritage and regency plants currently growing in this idyllic setting.
Music in Irish Society(daily) – Bunratty’s resident musicians tell stories about the place and role of music in Irish society.
The Golden Vale Farmhouse(daily at 10.30am & 2.30pm) – The Bean an Tí will recount what life was like living in an early 20th century home with its large kitchen, grand parlour and well-tended garden. She will demonstrate the baking of bread on an open fire, butter churning, doing laundry in an old-style tub, ironing, and the infamous Singer sewing machine.
The life of the Royal Irish Constabulary Policeman(daily) – Bunratty’s resident Royal Irish Constabulary Policeman will reveal riveting tales of a turbulent period in Irish history.
A Doctor’s Life (daily) – Bunratty’s resident doctor will tell visitors all about his profession at the turn of the 20th century.
Craggaunowen Highlights:
Craggaunowen’s resident blacksmith(Uinseann)pictured ahead of Heritage Week 2024.
Medieval Bagpipes (August 17th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd) – Craggaunowen’s resident craftsman and musician Arno will discuss and demonstrate the medieval bagpipes, one of the oldest musical instruments in human history.
Fulacht Fiadh(11am-3pm, August 24th) – Visitors can join in the lighting resident artisans Tony and Sean of the Bronze Age Fulacht Fiadh, an ancient cooking site.
Basket Making(10am & 5pm, August 24th) – Master artisan Michael Foudy will showcase the timeless craft of basket weaving and the intricate art of transforming reeds into stunning traditional baskets.
Origins of Wool Dyeing(August 17-19th & 23rd at 10am) – Annika showcases and discusses the origins and the art of the ancient practice of wool dying.
Legends & Tales(August 22nd & 24th) – Storyteller Tommy Lanigan will bring visitors on a journey through a rich heritage of folklore and myth
Tales of Irish Mythology(10am, August 20th, 21st and 23rd) – Visitors can listen to tales of Ireland that have been preserved in the oral tradition and later transcribed in the manuscripts of early Celtic Christianity.
Ogham Trail(2.30pm, August 20th, 21st and 22nd) – Stefan brings visitors on a trail exploring the ancient Irish writing tradition of Ogham, an Early Iron age Alphabet used primarily to write the early Irish language and later used in the old Irish language.
Log Splitting(August 19th, 20th & 21st) – Discover the ancient art of log splitting, where wood was processed without the use of metal tools. Join Sean at the Crannóg for a hands-on demonstration and experience the first steps of timber processing using traditional beetles and wooden wedges.
Traditional Irish Seanchaí(August 21st & 23rd) – Join Craggaunowen’s Seanchaí for a traditional Irish folklore storytelling session.
Traditional Butter Making(4pm, August 20th, 21st and 22nd) – Geraldine creates real Irish butter using the traditional practice of butter churning.
Food Display and Bread Baking(2.30pm, August 17-19th & 23rd at 10am) – Craggaunowen animators make bread and oat cakes at the ringfort by grinding oats in the tradition way with a smooth rock and a patient hand before baking bread over an open campfire.
Making & Playing Frame Drums(August 17th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd) – Craftworker Arno will demonstrate the art and skill behind creating these musical instruments, from selecting materials to assembly. Arno will showcase various drumming techniques, bringing the drums to life with entrancing rhythms.
The Art of Spinning(11am, August 20th, 21st and 22nd) – Animator Geraldine discusses and performs the ancient Irish craft of wool spinning on a traditional spindle.
Pole Lathe Demonstration(August 20th & 21st) – Witness the ancient skill of timber craftwork on the traditional pole lathe.
Traditional Blacksmithing(August 18-20th) – Craggaunowen’s resident Blacksmith will demonstrate traditional blacksmithing techniques.
State of Parnell Street, Carpark in Thurles today Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. Pic: G. Willoughby.
It is the August Bank Holiday weekend here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary and once again the towns Clothes Pods are packed to capacity, proving the towns administration has learned very little, from the same situation which occurred on the May Bank Holiday weekend, earlier this year.
Clothes Bank at junction of Mitchel Street & Borroway, Thurles. (Note: Weeds at base of Clothing bank, same indicating container not emptied for months). Pic: G. Willoughby.
However, it should be noted that one improvement has thankfully occurred; with someone from within the Thurles Municipal District officials having being identified as being able to spell. (See pictures hereunder).
“Sewing the seeds of sustainability”(See HERE) has now been corrected to “Sowing the seeds of sustainability”on all signage, at the expense of the taxpayer. Pic: G. Willoughby.
The ‘Clothes Pods’ previously provided at Aldi (Kickham Street) and Thurles Swimming pool (Cathedral Street) have both been removed, for some reason, over the past number of months, thus adding to the lack of recycling space being provided.
Surely someone on the ground, e.g. Thurles Traffic Warden etc., could be instructed to report on a daily/weekly basis. in an effort to correct this major issue, in a town which plays at encouraging tourism.
A planning application by Tipperary County Council to install a footpath on the outskirts of Thurles, at Mill Road (formerly Manor Mill Road) was published last week.
Map of Proposed Footpath For Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The footpath, according to these overdue published plans, will stretch over a distance of some 950 meters in length (3117.0 ft or 0.6 of a mile) with a width throughout of 1.8 meters (almost 6ft), linking from the end of the existing broken path, almost to the stone bridge crossing the Drish River close to Lady’s Well.
The planning application notes that the Mill Road is a narrow, winding, local road connecting both the N75 (If travelling northwards) and the N62 (If travelling southwards) and has more recently come into huge use particularly by heavy goods vehicle (HGV’s), in their attempt to speed-up their access to other national routes, thus avoiding the bottleneck that has totally destroyed the business centre of Thurles Town .
The planning application now published, for this narrow stretch of the Mill Road, (affectionately known to locals as ‘Fat Arse Boulevard’), is necessary so as to provide a safe walking area for pedestrians and those intent on partaking of physical exercise.
The plans for this footpath project are indeed to be welcomed and are now on display until August 23rd next at the Council offices at Mathew Avenue, Thurles, and indeed also available online HERE.
Nota Bene: When you do go online HERE, to examine these plans, scroll down to “Report of Particulars of Proposed Development.pdf” and click on download.
NextSee Site Description:“The Mill road connects the N75 to the north and the N62 via Archerstown to the south. While this is a local road it also serves as a ‘rat run’ for vehicles avoiding Thurles town, seeking to access the national routes and also access the N62 north of Thurles …….”.
Using their words above; here, in this above statement, is full acknowledged admission by Council officials; (namely Mr Thomas Duffy [Checker] and Ms Sharon Scully [Approver]), that Thurles town centre has been destroyed, from the point of view of the operation of local businesses, with major traffic now avoiding the Liberty Square area.
Then, before you, our readers, let out a high pitched maniacal cry; comes sadly, an even greater admission. Quote, “There are a number of housing estates located on the N75 side of the L-4001 Mill Road, which are served by a roadside pedestrian footpath (500m) and also a paved, pedestrian, walking route along ahistorical walking path (‘double ditch’), located some 500m off the N75. Extension of the existing footpath from the‘Double Ditch’access, extending to the Drish Bridge for approx. 950m.“
As our readers will be aware, this historical walking path (‘double ditch’), now menctioned twice in this application, according to local councillors and their officials, did not formerly exist previously and was conveniently never included in the Archaeological Impact Statement by F. Coyne BA MIAI, which was commissioned and paid for by Tipperary Co. Council, courtesy of Tipperary rate payer funding.
No, it is not a paved pedestrian walking route, it is now a route which was completely levelled and received only a temporary coating of tarmacadam. Sadly, today an area critical in the attraction of Tourism to Thurles, no longer exists, courtesy mainly of former FF councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin and his other council colleagues, following the decision to build a useless ‘Inner Relief Road‘ through this historic area, when, if ever, eventual funding can be found. Of course there is no reference to this ‘Inner Relief Road’, mentioned in this planning application.
It should also be noted: The council, in principal only, recently agree a price for the purchase of land west of this Mill Road, with which to deliver the aforementioned ‘Inner Relief Road’, and the late delivery of plans for this new footpath, is understood to have been now an agreed component of this same land deal where space for the footpath had been earlier refused, and which contrary to commitments given by TD Mr Jackie Cahill in a press release, (dated back in October 4th 2021), the project has not yet received government funding.
Meanwhile: Submissions to the proposed development can be made free of charge until 4:30pm on Friday August 6th.
To quote the words contained in Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem, Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field :- “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”
More than 300,000 television viewers across Australia will be introduced to part of the Mid-West region which covers counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, this autumn.
Roger Price (Cinematographer), Erin Malone (Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park), Gareth Bowser, Rebekah Moore (Bunratty Castle & Folk Park) and David Whitehill (Presenter, Proud Nomads) pictured on the village street at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Pic: Courtesy Clare County Council.
An independent TV production team last week visited the popular County Clare visitor attraction known as Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, where they filmed throughout this world-famous medieval castle and its attached 26-acre folk park.
Bunratty will feature in an episode of a new show called ‘Journey to Europe’, fronted by travel journalist and presenter Mr David Whitehill.
The programme will air on The Nine Network, one of five main free-to-air television networks in Australia, and also its streaming service 9Now, come next October. The episode also will feature, for six months, on the Singapore Airlines in-flight entertainment system.
“We were delighted to facilitate the production team as they embarked on a filming trip across the Wild Atlantic Way to highlight the West of Ireland’s rich history and culture, fantastic culinary experiences and stunning landscapes,” explained Ms Erin Malone, Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
She further added; “This show will attract a significant audience for Bunratty in an important market for the Irish tourism sector. The timing of the programme’s airing could not be better as people across Australia plan their overseas holiday for 2025.”
The 34th Brú Ború Summer Season will commence on Wednesday next, July 10th, and will continue until late August on each Wednesday and Thursday night, starting at 8:30pm. This much-acclaimed show of Irish traditional entertainment has over the years attracted thousands of fans from all over Ireland and many tourists from abroad.
The show is a creative, fast-moving and innovative mixture of world-class talent from various parts of Ireland.
The originator and producer Úna Ó Murchú, a native of County Clare, says: “The talent now available through the work of Comhaltas at home and abroad provides a rich reservoir from which to select the Brú Ború team. The show has evolved through vision and experience over the years and the performers are a credit to Ireland”.
These include ace-accordionist Bobby Gardiner, latter who taught a Clare set to King Charles and Queen Camilla when they both visited Brú Ború as Prince and Princess.
Harpist Mary Kelly played for the Queen of England when she visited the Rock of Cashel and also in Leinster House for the 100th anniversary of Seanad Éireann.
Tadhg Maher is a well-known traditional singer who has performed worldwide. He is remembered for his farewell ballad at the burial of Vol. Paddy Maher, one of the “Forgotten Ten”, when his remains were brought back from Mountjoy Jail to his native place of Ballylanders.
The music ensemble is a fine blend of veteran and young performers where harp, uilleann pipes, fiddles, accordion, melodeon, mouthorgan, bodhráns, concertinas and flutes – in the hands of the maestros – combine to produce the unique Brú Ború sound.
The dancers, with their exciting routines, have won the hearts of all who experienced their performance at different locations.
The Brú Ború performing group have, during their 34 year history, brought the cultural traditions of Ireland to many parts of the world. They represented Ireland at five World Expos, performed on the Great Wall of China and accompanied President Mary McAleese to perform for the Sultan of Oman. When they performed on the Late Late Show Gay Byrne described them as ‘the best in the business’.
There are special rates for groups and pre-show dinner can also be booked in advance. Contact Tel.No. 062 61122 or info@bruboru.ie.
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