Packed programme for Ballintubber Heritage Weekend
The team of US student archaeologists from the US who are in Ballintubber for the Castle in Communities project. They are pictured with members of the local community and public representatives. Pic. Liam Reynolds
A number of events and speakers have been lined up for this year’s Ballintubber Heritage Weekend
Today, Saturday, June 27th the weekend gets underway with a talk in the old graveyard with archaeologist Mary Timoney at 11 a.m..
The Heritage Weekend will then be officially opened in the Old Schoolhouse at 12.30 p.m.. There will be street stalls, crafts and a visit to the old village forge as part of the official opening.
There will be an opportunity to experience first-hand old rural Irish life with the cutting of hay with scythes at 1.30 p.m..
Dr Neil Brady, director of the Castle in Communities project, will be hosting the dig and giving guided tours of Ballintubber Castle. The tour will be run hourly from 2 p.m., and will display where there was once a drawbridge going into the castle.
Throughout the dig there will be entertainment for children including a treasure hunt, face-painting and an ice-cream van. There will also be visits to St Brigid’s well, the Old Schoolhouse, Kenny’s Old Bar and to Colm Daly’s Vintage Shop.
Refreshments will be served in the Old Schoolhouse along with a display of the findings from the dig.
On Sunday, July 28th at 11 a.m. the annual Cemetery Mass will be incorporated into the festival proceedings, with a visit to St Brigid’s Well after the Mass, where a demonstration on St Brigid’s cross making will take place.
Following this at 3 p.m. there will be a visit to the old Willsgrove Hall where Dixie Thompson recreates times of old in the hall with dancing, singing, and storytelling round an open fire place.
The weekend will conclude with ‘dancing at the crossroads’ in Kenny’s Bar, where there will be a barbecue, entertainment and presentations.
