Folklore workshops for May Bush Festival
PEOPLE AROUND the county taking part in this year’s May Bush Festival will have the chance to have their photo printed in a forthcoming edition of this newspaper.
A number of folklore talks and workshops are taking place around County Wexford as part of this year’s event and this coming weekend they will be held in Gorey and Bunclody libraries - on Saturday, April 28, at 11 a,m, and 2.30 p.m., respectively.
The talks are focussing attention on traditional customs and folklore associated with the month of May and the festival itself is being organised by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert, from Folklore.ie. They hope to raise awareness about the May Bush and other folklore traditions from the county.
They are also encouraging families and communities to erect, decorate, and take photos of their own May Bush this coming May eve, or May 1, and to share the photos of those involved, alongside the bush, on The May Bush facebook page. Alternatively, photos can also be emailed to micfortune@ gmail.com
A selection of the photos will appear in this newspaper in the Tuesday, May 15, edition.
‘While the tradition may be new to many people it is in fact an unbroken tradition among many families in County Wexford,’ said Mr Fortune.
He and Ms Lambert have been working at creating awareness around the festival and other traditions associated with County Wexford for the last 15 years.
Those attending the workshops will find out how to erect a May Bush in their home, village or town.
The festival initiative is being funded by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council under the Small Arts Festival Scheme.
For more information on the festival programme log onto www.folklore.ie or contact Mr Fortune on 087-6470247 or Ms Lambert on 087-7552593