New attraction at the Heritage Park
AUTHOR of Celtic and Early Christian Wexford Dr Ned Culleton officially opened the medieval lodge, the latest attraction at the Irish National Heritage Park.
Following on from the success of the 2015 visit of the experimental archaeology conference, the park management felt that a dedicated workspace for craft and trade should be created within the park.
The site is a semi-outdoor space with a covered structure to allow for the inevitable inclement weather, it is foreseen that the site be used for practical archaeological experiments, traditional crafts, workshops and perhaps outdoor events.
There is a place where fire can be used safely without the risk of igniting one of the park’s larger thatched structures and where pottery firing, bronze casting and blacksmithing could be undertaken safely.
By enclosing the space, anyone attending a workshop won’t have park visitors stumbling into their sessions but yet it is visible and part of the ‘ living’ nature of the Heritage Park.
As the medieval lodge is situated close to the visitor centre, the new site would be an ideal venue for intimate open-air gigs whether traditional or mainstream and could even host small theatrical productions.
Maura Bell said: ‘We see the lodge and the surrounding space as a place that will evolve and grow into a vibrant hub within the park.
‘We plan to have workshops running here and these kind of experiences can grow to be a key component of how visitors learn about their history.’