Craggaunowen, Malahide Castle & Newbridge House
Craggaunowen, in County Clare, offers an opportunity to experience everyday life during the Pre-Historic and early Christian periods in Ireland through its reconstructed and restored dwelling houses, farm sheds, hunting sites and many other period features. The concept was the idea of the late John Hunt, who was an advisor to Sotheby’s in Medieval Art, and was described by art magazine
The Connoisseur as ‘one of the best known medievalists in Europe’. John Hunt bought the land at Craggaunowen, restored the castle, and began the construction of a modern museum display, including the reconstructed crannog and ringfort. He eventually gave the complex, with hope for its future development, to the Irish people.
THE BRENDAN VOYAGE
They say Columbus discovered America but Tim Severin would disagree. In June 1977 he landed at Peckford Island, Newfoundland having left Bandon, Co. Cork in May 1976. He travelled in a tiny, leather skinned wooden boat, built using techniques and materials available in 6th Century Ireland.
Mr Severin and his crew of 5 used the 1,200 year old Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis (The Voyage of St Brendan the Abbot) as their guide proving that St Brendan could indeed have discovered America 900 years before Christopher Columbus.
The ‘Brendan’, as this hardy boat was christened, now resides in Craggaunowen.
HISTORY BROUGHT TO LIFE THROUGH THE POWER OF NEW MEDIA
A modern story-telling platform is set to take primary school students across the country to the heart of Irish life over 1,000 years ago. Titled, the ‘Tales of Craggaunowen,’ the new digital education pack will bring students back to an era where survival was success in Ireland.
The programme will transfer to video the living history experience that unfolds at Craggaunowen. The Co. Clare visitor attraction is an award winning ancient Celtic settlement that offers unique attractions such as a restored Ringfort, Crannóg and medieval castle plus a team of enthusiastic animators who re-enact various activities from days gone by. The series dramtises the ‘Living Past’ experience that unfolds at Craggaunowen Park and Heritage Centre. Held on a USB or available to download, these videos will transport viewers into bygone eras, giving them an understanding of life in prehistoric and medieval Ireland. Students will gain a fascinating insight into real life experiences such as warfare, weaving, story-telling, hunting, ancient construction techniques and farming. Pauline Lenihan, site manager at Craggaunowen, explains: “These videos bring this magnificent open-air Museum and the world that our ancestors inhabited all those centuries ago to life.”