Family fun for everyone at Féile
FÉILE na Tuaithe is all about fun for everyone in the family. It’s a fantastic day out with a wonderful choice of entertainment, attractions and activities throughout the lovely museum grounds.
The free family festival, Féile na Tuaithe, is taking place this Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, in the grounds of the Museum of Country Life - Turlough Park, Castlebar, from 12 to 5 p.m. daily.
Just inside the gates is the threshing display; a fascinating glimpse of yesteryear. See Mayo Vintage Threshing Club’s steam thresher in action, separating the valuable grains from the chaff. This was a common sight around farms from early autumn every year.
The museum galleries have an excellent collection of farm implements and machinery; a trip down memory lane for older visitors and a chance for grannies and granddads to share experiences with grandchildren.
The straw left over after threshing was used for animal bedding and thatching houses.
Thatcher Dennis Wright will show visitors the skills of his craft. Straw was also used to make household items and Melanie Lorien, a strawcraft expert, will demonstrate her talents.
Other nostalgic elements include the absorbing crafts of the cooper, the weaver and the woodturner. Stonewalls are synonymous with Ireland, particularly the west, and the OPW will demonstrate stonewall building. Now that’s something you can try at home!
Animals were a vital part of rural life and many farm animals will be on display in the Farmyard Village behind the museum buildings. Traditional blackface sheep and lambs, hens, ducks and other poultry, donkeys and horses will all add their distinctive voices to the mix. It’s a wonderful opportunity for younger visitors to get up close and personal with the sights and sounds of a traditional farmyard. The drop in Farm Animal Art Project in the Family Village behind the Victorian glasshouse has plenty to keep little fingers and imaginations busy.
A loud splash in the lake during Féile means the working spaniels are in action again. Bursting with energy and enthusiasm, the springer spaniels relish their job of searching out and retrieving dummies. See the West of Ireland Spaniel Club competition on Saturday and demonstrations on Sunday.
Children love to follow trails and the Mythical Meanderings Woodland Trail brings them into the nooks and crannies of the glorious museum grounds with lots of surprises along the way. Make sure to pick up the trail guide at the information area.
Storytelling has been part of our culture since time immemorial and truth be told – nobody grows out of hearing a good story. Órla Mc Govern tells a cracking tale and in ‘Tales from the Land and Sea’ she will weave stories together in a rich tapestry of magical animals, fairy kingdoms, wise words and sea witches, transporting enchanted listeners to the deepest oceans and back.
Don’t forget about making May flowers with the museum’s education team.
Meet master farrier Mark Hester
HORSES and donkeys were essential for all kinds of farmwork as well as transportation. Keeping them sound and well shod was vital; as the old saying goes ‘No foot. No horse’.
The farrier’s task was to make and fit shoes for horses and donkeys. Master farrier Mark Hester will demonstrate this fascinating process.
Cold shoeing is more common these days but Mark will introduce visitors to hot shoeing, showing how traditional horse shoes were made and shaped over the open fire. The sound of the bellows working, the regular ‘thunk’ of the hammer on the iron shoe and the hiss of water on the red hot metal are truly evocative of years gone by.
Puppet fun for everyone
PUPPET shows were a traditional part of country entertainment and are still spellbinding for young audiences. Little Gem Puppets will put on their version of fairytales ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ at Féile this year.
These are puppet shows with a difference where there’s always a twist in the tail, and the puppets can venture out into the audience.
Shows are in the galleries on Saturday only so be sure to get your seat early!
www.littlegempuppets.com/
Thank You!
Thanks to sponsors and partners: Mayo County Council, Local Enterprise Offices (Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, Donegal), Lookwest.ie, Bord Bia, Teagasc, Music Generation, Mayo Artsquad, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, The Connaught Telegraph, MidWest Radio, Spear Design and Cashin Print.