‘Meet & Make
Heritage Day' in Clonmany
24.05.24
CLONMANY is to host a day
of history, heritage and fun on Saturday 1st June, 2024.
There will be an exciting array of heritage themed
events, to suit all ages. A range of experts will be on
hand to provide walks, exhibitions, and demonstrations.
The Market House will host demonstrations of weaving,
willow basket-making, toy-making, baking and butter
making. There will also host an exhibition of old
photographs of Clonmany and the surrounding areas. |
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The Market House and
Market Square in Clonmany on St. Patrick’s Day 1943. |
Large crowds are expected
to descend on the village during this ‘Meet & Make
Heritage Day’.
The Clonmany Genealogy & Heritage Group will stage a
varied Walk and Talk, beginning in Straid and concluding
in Clonmany Village. Participants are invited to gather
at the Urris GAA car park in Straid at 9:45am and they
will be escorted to the Old Church nearby. The
organisers gratefully acknowledge the generosity of
Urris GAA in making their car park available.
The talk at the Old Church will cover many topics
including the history of the church, information on
Dresden House, the Glen House, Glenfield Camp and the
many significant historical figures who lived there and
in the local area, many of whom are buried in the
graveyard. The talk will feature many other local
historic sites, people, events and folklore.
Participants will then be invited to return to their
cars and make their way to Clonmany Village where the
Walk & Talk will continue with information on the
history of the village and the many interesting sites
there, including the bridge, Market House, St. Mary’s
Hall, the Bulaba Monument and the church and graveyard.
The participants are guaranteed to hear a few historical
snippets they may not have heard before.
A demonstration of willow basket making, starts at
10:30am, at the Market House Café and Museum. Children
will be invited to participate in a willow-toy making
workshop, hosted by local willow artist Brendan Farren.
Brendan has been giving demonstrations of this wonderful
art form for many years and it has proved very popular
with adults and children alike. |
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The next generation try
their hands at churning and making butter. |
Another popular
demonstration will be the Brown bread, butter and salt
making demonstration, which will be held upstairs in the
Market House beginning at 12:30pm. Dominque McDaid will
show us how to make Irish Soda Bread, which was a staple
of the local diet and continues to be popular today.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to make
their own fresh butter to take home, as well as
capturing sea salt from our Atlantic sea water. Please
arrive early to avoid disappointment as seating is
limited.
Rounding off the demonstrations, there will be a Weaving
Workshop, marking and celebrating Clonmany’s famous
weaving history, and this will be held upstairs at the
Market House. Siobhán Ní Ghallchóir will be weaving on
the Harris Loom during the day, with a demonstration at
1:30pm and children’s weaving workshop at 2pm. Adults
and children alike will have an opportunity to try their
hands at one of the most iconic of trade skills,
following in the illustrious footsteps of local weaver,
Charles McGlinchey, who was made famous in the book
‘Last of the Name’. Once again, places for the workshop
are limited so coming along early to book is advised.
While all these activities are taking place, there will
also be an opportunity to take some time out and wander
around the photo exhibition organised by the Clonmany
Genealogy & Heritage Group, which will be available
upstairs in the Market House. You will have an
opportunity to see Clonmany as it once was and, who
knows, you may even spot an ancestor or two.
And don’t forget that you will be able to avail of a
refreshing beverage and sample some wonderful food in
the Market House Café, conveniently sited downstairs in
the Market House, where toilets are also available. |
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