Roscommon - Heritage Week

Archaeology
Walk To Ring Fort & 13th Century
Church Ruin
Visit two fine examples of former life in
Ireland, Urney Church and a superb ring fort,
with local archaeologist Mike Croghan.
Footwear suitable for walking through sheep
pasture needed for this 2.7 km walk. Cancelled
in case of rain. Meet at Woodland Walk Cafe in
Strokestown Park.
Venue: Woodland Walk Cafe, Strokestown
Park, Strokestown.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Strokestown Park
Name: John O’Driscoll
Email: HeritageWeekStrokestown@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9633013
Date
Start Time
End Time
Tue 21st
11:00
12:00
Rathcroghan & Oweynagat Tour
Embark on a journey through the
archaeological landscape of Rathcroghan
where you will learn about the Legends of
Queen Meave. Follow our local guide on a tour
of the Rathcroghan, The Royal Capital of
Connacht and descend into the otherworld
through Oweynagat (Cave of the Cats) and
learn of the myths and legends of this National
Archaeological Landscape. Meet at
Rathcroghan Visitors Centre, Tulsk at 3pm.
Walking shoes and old clothes advisable if you
intend to take the cave tour.
Venue: Rathcroghan Visitors Centre, Cruachan
Aí, Tulsk.
Cost: €5 Per Person
Organiser: Gary Dempsey
Email: Cruachanai@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9639268
Date
Start Time
End Time
Wed 22nd – Fri 24th 15:00
16:30
A Walk & Talk Around Rathcroghan
Mound
A guided ramble around and about
Rathcroghan Mound and an on-site
demonstration of various archaeological
survey instruments. An opportunity to visit the
‘Tara of the West’ and also try your hand at
using topographical and geophysical survey
instruments. Please ensure to bring suitable
outdoor clothing and footwear. Assemble at
Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, Tulsk, at 2.00pm,
proceeding to Rathcroghan Mound car park.
Assemble at Rathcroghan Mound car park at
3.00pm (approx. 5 km northeast of Tulsk on
the N5).
Venue: Rathcroghan, Tulsk.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Joe Fenwick & Roseanne Schot,
The Connacht Project, Department of
Archaeology, N.U.I. Galway
Email: joe.fenwick@nuigalway.ie
Telephone: 091 493100
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 19th
14:00
17:00
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
Roscommon
Archaeological & Historical Lecture
Archaeological and historical lecture of local
interest by parishioner Mr. John Burke. The
venue is located on the N4 mid-way between
Boyle and Carrick-on-Shannon. Look out for
signage for Ardcarne Church of Ireland.
Venue: Ardcarne Church of Ireland, Ardcarne,
Boyle.
Cost: €5 Per Person
Organiser: Ardcarne Parish Graveyards
Committee
Name: David Gillespie
Email: gillespiedd@gmail.com
Telephone: 087 9667009
Date
Start Time
End Time
Fri 24th
09:00
10:45
231
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
Archives
Launch Of Phase Two Of The
Roscommon Historic Newspaper
Digitisation Project
Launch of phase two of the Roscommon
Historic Newspaper Digitisation Project:
Roscommon Messenger 1848-1935.
Venue: County Library, Roscommon.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Richie Farrell
Email: rfarrell@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 66367271
Date
Start Time
End Time
Mon 20th
15:00
16:00
County Photographic Collection
Launch
Launch of County Photographic Collection
based on archives from Glynns Photography
Castlerea. Project collaborators are
Roscommon County Council Library Services,
Glynns Photography Castlerea, FAS and
Roscommon Herald.
Venue: County Library, Abbey Street,
Roscommon.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Richie Farrell
Email: rfarrell@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637271
Date
Start Time
End Time
Tue 21st
16:00
17:00
Folklore
232
interviews. These are available to hear and view
in Libraries around County Roscommon.
Venue: County Library, Abbey Street,
Roscommon.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Richie Farrell
Email: rfarrell@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637271
Date
Start Time
End Time
Wed 22nd
15:00
16:00
Forests & Woodlands
Woodland Challenge
Do you like a challenge? Join us for an
afternoon of crazy outdoor games,
environmental art and discovery. An outdoor
event so dress appropriately. Suitable for young
people 12-16 years under parental supervision.
Pre-booking is necessary as places are limited.
Phone 090 6637135 to book. Meet outside the
entrance to the visitor centre.
Venue: Lough Key Forest & Activity Park,
Boyle.
Cost: Free (Charge for parking in Lough Key
Forest and Activity Park).
Organiser: Roscommon County Council &
Eco Envolve
Name: Nollaig Feeney
Email: nfeeney@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637135
Date
Start Time
End Time
Fri 24th
15:00
17:00
Geology
Launch Of 2012 Folklore & Oral
History Collection
Stroll The Solar System: Rogue &
Exoplanet Explanation With Real
Astronomer
Launch of the 2012 collection of Folklore &
Oral History interviews carried out by County
Roscommon Folklore & Oral History Network.
Roscommon Media Archive now has a
collection of over 70 folklore and oral history
500 meter outdoor walk from the Sun to
Neptune! Learn about thousands of newly
discovered planets orbiting other stars, and
some wandering alone! Suitable for ages 8+.
Indoors in case of rain. Meet at Woodland
Cost: Free
Organiser: Strokestown Park
Name: John O’Driscoll
Email: HeritageWeekStrokestown@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9633013
Date
Start Time
End Time
Mon 20th
11:00
12:00
Afternoon Harp Recital & Guided
Tour Of Castlecoote House
Historic Buildings & Gardens
Garden Allotments & Vintage
Vegetables In Ireland
Tour Strokestown Park veggie garden with
manager John O’Driscoll. Hear history of Irish
allotments, popular now for home-grown
food. Kids get to harvest a few vegetables,
growing conditions permitting. Then try some
veggie treats! Meet at Woodland Walk Café in
Strokestown Park.
Venue: Woodland Walk Café, Strokestown
Park, Strokestown.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Strokestown Park
Name: John O’Driscoll
Email: HeritageWeekStrokestown@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9633013
Date
Start Time
End Time
Wed 22nd
11:00
12:00
Science Lab From 1930s In The Big
House
Enter a recently renovated room in
Strokestown Park House where Professor
James Hoban will explain the laboratory and
experiments done in the 1930s. They were
attempting to find mineral wealth on the land
in Strokestown Park. Suitable for ages 8 and
older; maximum of 20. Meet at the Woodland
Walk Café in Strokestown Park.
Venue: Woodland Walk Café, Strokestown
Park, Strokestown.
Afternoon harp recital and guided tour of
house. Castlecoote House is one of the four
Historic Houses of County Roscommon.
Castlecoote House is an early Georgian
Palladian mansion built on the grounds of a
ruined 16th c. castle. Guided tours available at
other times by appointment.
Venue: Castlecoote House, Castlecoote.
Cost: €5 Per Person
Organiser: Castlecoote House
Name: Kevin Finnerty
Email: info@castlecootehouse.com
Telephone: 090 6663794
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 26th
15:00
17:00
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
Walk Café in Strokestown Park.
Venue: Woodland Walk Café, Strokestown
Park, Strokestown.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Strokestown Park
Name: John O’Driscoll
Email: HeritageWeekStrokestown@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9633013
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 25th
11:00
12:00
Mote Park Heritage Walk
A walk through Mote Park to visit the Crofton
Mausoleum, The Lion’s Gate, The Quaker
Meeting House, etc. Meet behind Bank of
Ireland to share cars to venue.
Venue: Mote Park, Athlone Road, Roscommon.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon Heritage Group and
Mote Park Conservation Group
Name: Mary O’Carroll
Email: moc@oca.ie
Telephone: 090 6626350
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 26th
15:00
17:00
233
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
Living History
Táin Tales: The Story Of Woman,
A Man & A Bull
A dramatization/storytelling of the Cattle Raid
of Cooley, with minimal props and actors, but
in costume. Two presentations, one in the
morning and one in the afternoon.
Venue: Rathcroghan Heritage Centre, Tulsk.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Rathcroghan Heritage Centre
Name: Bernadette D’Alton
Email: cruachanai@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9639268
Date
Start Time
End Time
Tue 21st
10:00
16:00
Refurbished Heritage Centre Opening
Day & Working Medieval Corn Mill
Join us at our official opening day for a look at
our refurbished heritage centre and a showing
of a working medieval corn mill model. A
horizontal type water-driven mill existed in
Drum, located within the confines of the
monastic boundary. It was probably operated
by Patrician monks at the nearby monastery.
Horizontal mills were the first type of corn
grinding mill introduced into Ireland in 250BC
by King Cormac MacAirt. The working model
constructed to scale will prove to be a showcase
for visitors attending the heritage centre.
Venue: Drum Heritage Visitor Centre, History
Museum, Curryroe, Drum, Athlone.
Cost: €5 Adults; €2 Children
Organiser: Drum Heritage Group
Name: Edward Egan & Anton Lennon
Email: drumheritage@gmail.com
Telephone: 086 1972323
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 25th
11:00
17:00
Local History
Launch Of Loughnaneane
Information Signs
234
Launch of signs followed by a tour and talk
about the history of Roscommon Castle. Later
in the evening there will be a talk on the flora
and wildlife followed by the annual Bat Talk.
Venue: Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon
Town Centre.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon Tidy Towns
Name: Kathleen Shanagher
Email: shanagherkathleen104@gmail.com
Telephone: 090 6627138
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 26th
14:00
15:45
Celebrating Local Heritage 2012
Enjoy local heritage at its best! Join St. John’s
Parish Heritage Group for its 10th anniversary
celebration during Heritage Week. Events
include Medieval Family Fun Day (medieval
costume event), traditional music, Ogham
writing, photography, and much more. In
addition, a guided tour of Rindoon and St.
John’s Wood will be organised for the day.
Venue: St. John’s Community Centre,
Lecarrow.
Cost: Free
Organiser: St. John’s Parish Heritage Group
Name: Liam Byrne
Email: stjphg@gmail.com
Telephone: 087 2431240
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 26th
14:00
16:30
A Celebration Of The History Of The
O’Conors Of Connaught: Day 1 At
Ballintubber Castle
Lecture by Dr Niall Brady on Ballintubber
Castle. 7pm at the Old Schoolhouse. Launch of
castle poster & walking tour of Castle at 8pm.
Event in association with Ballintubber Tidy
Towns with kind permission of Pyers &
Marguerite O’Conor Nash, Clonalis House.
Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for
Castle tour. Children must be accompanied by
an adult at all times.
Venue: The Old Schoolhouse, Ballintubber.
Cost: Free
Renovated Connor Family Homestead
The Connor family heritage can be traced back
to these lands for over 150 years. Experience
early 20th c. family life, in a restored traditional
rural Co. Roscommon cottage in splendid
isolation, a bolt hole from modern day life.
Return to a simpler more tranquil way of life.
Rejuvenate your body & soul with nature’s
silence & infinite unspoilt vistas.
Venue: Kinitty Cottage, Kinitty, Four Mile
House, Roscommon.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Marion & Andy Rimmer
Email: wrafterm@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 087 4112991
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 18th & Sun 19th 10:30
16:00
A Celebration Of The History Of The
O’Conors Of Connaught: Day 2 At
Clonalis House
Discounted guided tours of Clonalis House,
the ancestral home of the O’Conors, Kings of
Connacht and at various times, High Kings of
Ireland. Continue to explore the depth of
O’Conor history in Connaught at Clonalis
House, one of the Four Historic Houses of
County Roscommon. Last guided tour at
4:00pm.
Venue: Clonalis House, Castlerea.
Cost: Discounted admission to Clonalis House
& guided tours
Organiser: Pyers & Marguerite O’Conor Nash
Email: clonalis@iol.ie
Telephone: 094 9620014
Date
Start Time
End Time
Wed 22nd
11:00
17:00
Trade, Passion & Mortality Symbols
On Headstones
These graveyards are rich in headstone
engravings and are a fine example of the work of
local stone masons. This event will start at St.
Coman’s Cof I in Roscommon town followed by
visits to Ballymurray Quaker Meeting House and
graveyard, Kilenvoy & Kiltoom old graveyards.
Venue: St. Coman’s Cof I, Church Street,
Roscommon Town.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Co. Roscommon Historical &
Archaeological Society
Name: Jim Ganly
Email: jpganly@eircom.net
Telephone: 090 6626400
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 19th
15:00
17:30
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Nollaig Feeney
Email: nfeeney@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637135
Date
Start Time
End Time
Tue 21st
19:00
21:00
The Life & Times Of Turlough
O’Carolan
This is to celebrate the life and times of
Turlough O’Carolan through music, song and
dance. This will be held in the O’Carolan
Heritage Park in Keadue.
Venue: Keadue.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Keadue Development Association
Name: Paraic Noone
Email: ocarolan@eircom.net
Telephone: 087 2459222
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 19th
15:00
17:00
Museums, Galleries & Collections
Early Photography At Strokestown
Park House
Conservationist Katriona Byrne will introduce
you to a new display of 20 prints made from
negatives found in the collections at the Big
House in Strokestown Park. Visit the recently
restored 1890-era dark room in the House
itself. Maximum of 20. Meet at Woodland Walk
Cafe in Strokestown Park.
Venue: Woodland Walk Cafe, Strokestown
Park, Strokestown.
235
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
Cost: Free
Organiser: Strokestown Park
Name: John O’Driscoll
Email: HeritageWeekStrokestown@gmail.com
Telephone: 071 9633013
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 18th & Thu 23rd 11:00
12:00
Explore King House: A Magnificently
Restored 18th Century Mansion With
Interpretative Galleries & Museum
Enjoy a tour of King House, one of the four
Historic Houses of County Roscommon and
see the interpretive galleries & museum.
Venue: King House Interpretive Galleries &
Museum, Boyle.
Cost: Free for Heritage Week
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Richie Farrell
Email: rfarrell@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637271
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 18th
11:00
16:00
Tue 21st – Sat 25th
11:00
16:00
The Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre
No appointment necessary to come along and
experience the Douglas Hyde Interpretative
Centre. Dr Hyde’s contribution to modern
Ireland is highlighted in the exhibition.
Venue: The Douglas Hyde Interpretative
Centre, Portahard, Frenchpark.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Richie Farrell
Email: rfarrell@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637271
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 18th & Sun 19th 14:00
18:00
Traditional Skills
Dream Cottage: Thatched Cottage
Learn about living in a thatched cottage and
see how thatch is cared for and maintained.
The use of thatch as a traditional building
material is now rare, making this example of a
thatched cottage a valuable survivor of the
vernacular architecture in Ireland. Thatching
project is funded under the Heritage Council
grants programme 2012.
Venue: Dream Cottage, Willsgrove, Ballintubber.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Carmel & Andrew Holmes
Email: carmelholmes53@yahoo.com
Telephone: 0044 77 83160999
Date
Start Time
End Time
Mon 20th–Fri 24th
10:00
12:00
Hedgerow Walk In Croghan Organic
Gardens
Hedgerow walk with hedgerow specialist Neill
Foulkes. Also see and hear about the innovative
hedgerow translocation project. Learn about
the value of hedges and how to care for hedges.
Meet at entrance to gardens.
Venue: Croghan Organic Gardens, Croghan,
Boyle.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Croghan Organic Gardens
Name: Bill Hester
Email: croghanorganicgarden@eircom.net
Telephone: 071 9668963
Date
Start Time
End Time
Thu 23rd
14:30
16:30
Walled Towns
Talk On Rindoon Castle By Dr Kieren
O’Conor
Come along and hear about the development
of a major Medieval castle on the western shore
of Lough Ree. Rindoon Castle is one part of
236
Birdwatching Walk In St. John’s Wood
Explore the bird life of St. John’s Wood with
members of Birdwatch Ireland, Roscommon
Branch.
Venue: St. John’s Wood, Lecarrow.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Birdwatch Ireland, Roscommon
Branch
Name: Padraig Rocke
Email: p70435@yahoo.ie
Telephone: 087 9078809
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 19th
14:00
16:00
Wildlife
St. John’s Wood Nature Walk
Guided nature walk through St. John’s Wood
with National Parks and Wildlife Service
guides. To find St. John’s Wood, follow signs
from Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon.
Venue: St. John’s Wood, Lecarrow.
Cost: Free
Organiser: National Parks & Wildlife Service,
North Midlands Region
Name: Rebecca Dobson
Email: rebecca.dobson@ahg.gov.ie
Telephone: 071 96666704 or 071 9666710
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 26th
14:00
16:00
Nature Walk Through Organic farm
Nature walk around organic farm. See
woodland, wildflowers, hedgerows & more.
Learn about Mount Allen Bog & Arigna River
biodiversity enhancement. Places are limited.
Booking essential by text on 086 2536672.
Venue: Mount Allen House, Mount Allen,
Drumshanbo.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Tommy Earley
Email: thomasjohnearley@gmail.com
Telephone: 086 2536672
Date
Start Time
End Time
Tue 21st & Sat 25th
11:00
13:00
ROSCOMMON | ROS COMÁIN
the deserted medieval walled town of Rindoon.
Venue: St. John’s Community Centre, Lecarrow.
Cost: Donations welcome to contribute
towards event costs
Organiser: Roscommon County Council
Name: Dr Kieren O’Conor, NUI Galway
Email: nfeeney@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 6637135
Date
Start Time
End Time
Mon 20th
19:00
20:00
Flora, Fauna & Bat Talk
Informal talk by Ecologist David Fallon on the
flora, fauna and bats in Loughnaneane Park as
well as an earlier talk at 2pm about the Castle.
As the evening light fades, David will give an
informal talk in the Castle on bats, and have his
bat detector for people to use. Please wear
sturdy shoes and suitable clothing. Children
must be accompanied by an adult and bring a
torch for safety.
Venue: Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon
Town Centre.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Roscommon Tidy Towns
Name: Kathleen Shanagher
Email: shanagherkathleen104@gmail.com
Telephone: 090 6627138
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sun 26th
19:30
21:30
Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project
Open Day
Presentation in Moore Community Centre and
visit to the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse
Project to demonstrate best-practice red grouse
management. Bring suitable clothing and
footwear. Take the old Dublin Road (R446) east
from Ballinasloe for approx. 6km, take a right
turn signposted Moore. Moore Community
Centre is 500m on the right hand side of road.
Venue: Moore Community Centre.
Cost: Free
237
SLIGO | SLIGEACH
Organiser: Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse
Project
Name: David Scallan
Email: davidscallan1@gmail.com
Telephone: 087 9504563
Date
Start Time
End Time
Sat 18th
13:00
16:00
Telephone: 086 0667962
Date
Start Time
Sat 18th
15:00
End Time
17:00
Events for Under 12’s
Woodland Monsters
Notice Nature’s Biodiversity At Mount
Plunkett Nature Reserve
On Tuesday, 21st August at 9:00pm, we will
have a bat, barn owl, and badger watch at
Mount Plunkett Nature Reserve. Then on
Sunday, 26th August at 4:30pm, there will be a
walking tour of Mount Plunkett Nature
Reserve to include restored old Mount Plunkett
National School, wildlife hedges, linnet crops,
river walk, badger sets, bird and bat boxes,
pheasant release pin and ponds.
Venue: Mount Plunkett Nature Reserve,
Lecarrow, Knockcroghery.
Cost: Free
Organiser: Padraig Corcoran
Email: pbcor@eircom.net
Telephone: 087 6430710
Date
Start Time
End Time
Tue 21st
21:00
22:00
Sun 26th
16:30
17:30
End times are approximate.
Explore the woodlands, make beastly monsters
and create masterpieces using natural
materials. This is an outdoor event so dress
appropriately. Suitable for children 4-12 years
under parental supervision. Pre-booking is
necessary as places are limited. Phone 090
6637135 to book. Meet outside the entrance of
the visitor centre.
Venue: Lough Key Forest & Activity Park,
Boyle.
Cost: Free (Charge for parking in Lough Key
Forest and Activity Park).
Organiser: Roscommon County Council &
Eco Envolve
Name: Nollaig Feeney
Email: nfeeney@roscommoncoco.ie
Telephone: 090 667135
Date
Start Time
End Time
Fri 24th
11:00
13:00
Sligo
Guided Walk On The Newly
Developed Loop Of Knockvicar Bog
Nature Trail
Guided nature walk to experience the flora and
fauna of raised bog, fen, woodland, lakeshore
and grassland habitats. Knockvicar Bog nature
Trail just became a full circular walk. There are
new habitats and lots to see and enjoy.
Venue: Knockvicar Organic Garden,
Knockvicar, Boyle (R285, 4 km from
Ardcarne).
Cost: Free
Organiser: Crossna Community Co-op.
Name: Laszlo Kenderesi
Email: gardenonbog@eircom.net
238
Archaeology
Carrowkeel Passage Tomb Cemetery
Guided Tour
A guided tour of a number of the passage
tombs at Carrowkeel. Field walking footwear
advisable, short stretches of hillwalking terrain.
Meet at Castlebaldwin Village on N4 Sligo,
Boyle Road. Leader: Dr Sam Moore, IT, Sligo.
Venue: Carrowkeel Passage Tomb Cemetery,
(Near Castlebaldwin).
Cost: Free
Organiser: Sligo Field Club
Name: Jim Foran
Email: jjpforan@eircom.net