Bunratty Folk Park To Host Harvest Day

Arts and Entertainment - Events

Friday, 17 September 2010 16:50

Written by Denise Lyons

Harvest traditions from over 100 years ago will be brought to life by farm workers at Bunratty Folk Park in Co. Clare next week.

As part of the event vintage threshing machines will be used to demonstrate the art of threshing as Shannon Heritage, the Shannon Development tourism subsidiary, celebrates a traditional 19th century Harvest Day at Bunratty Folk Park from 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm on Sunday 26th September 2010. This family day organised around the traditional harvest will show what life was like in an educational and fun way.

“At Bunratty Folk Park we are always looking at ways to present an accurate portrayal of all aspects of 19th century rural life.  Harvest Day is an annual event which gives us an opportunity to create a cameo from the past, and to give visitors, especially our younger visitors, a chance to enjoy living history. This is just one in an annual calendar of events we have devised at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park to meet the growing requests from our domestic visitors. Among other upcoming events are: a Halloween experience; a magical Christmas wonderland featuring Santa Claus; a Panto at Bunratty  and Christmas Evenings at the Castle,” says Mr. John Ruddle, chief executive, Shannon Heritage.

In olden days harvest time created a sense of urgency, especially before the arrival of the harvesting machinery.  Everybody in the community was called out to help, men and women, young and old, master, workpeople, and neighbours. The Meitheal, a group of neighbours would come together to support one another and work collectively to bring in the crops.

At other times of the year each group had its own work, the men in the fields, the women in the house, and the children at school.  Only at harvest time were they all together engaged in the same work.  With fine weather and the promise of abundance, it was only natural that there were jokes, pranks, and general merriment, with the anxious farmer unwilling to dampen the high spirits, but trying to ensure that these did not hold up the work.

Visitors to Harvest Day at Bunratty Folk Park will be given a flavour of rural Irish life over 100 years ago.  The Bean a Ti’s will demonstrate the art of bread baking and butter making. The village school master will be greeting children and looking for them to hand over their customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire.  Visitors will also be able to experience live horse shoe demonstrations at the forge and a sheaf throwing competition.

Younger visitors to the Folk Park will be encouraged to leave their parents in school while they enjoy the atmosphere created by the musicians and strawboys who will be performing around the Folk Park during the afternoon. A special vintage farm machinery display will give visitors an insight into farming techniques from a bygone era.

All are welcome to enjoy traditional storytelling by the resident Seanachai, and the village policeman in his 19th century uniform will be on site to create an ‘arresting experience’ if the harvest celebrations get out of hand.

A full listing of events and the times for each will be on view at the reception to Bunratty Folk Park.  Special family tickets will be available at €33.60 for two adults and two children and €38.00 for two adults and up to six children. Adult admission is €15.00, admission for senior citizens is €9.45 and student rate €10.00, child €9.00.  No reservations necessary. Tickets are available on the day or buy on-line at www.shannonheritage.com. For further information please phone: 061- 360788 or visit the website.