100 years of heritage on show in Duhallow

THIS year, being a centenary year, the theme for National Heritage Week was fittingly focused on 100 Years of Heritage and in Duhallow events got off to a flying start with IRD Duhallow organising a Dry Stone Wall Workshop.

Co-ordinated by Don Murphy, Master Mason, the workshop incorporated an introduction to Dry Stone Walling in Ireland, an overview on the History of Dry Stone Wall Construction and plenty practical stone demonstrations kept everyone busy.

Horticulturalist Rachel Budd hosted an information seminar on Heritage Gardening, the seminar provided information on Vintage Horticultural practises, Traditional Vegetable Growing, the History of Irish Walled Gardens, Irish Kitchen Gardens and Rachel also offered advice on how to create a hotbed in your own back garden.

The Traditional Smoking Methods Workshop on August 24 was a huge success. Local man PJ Cremin demonstrated the art of cold smoking and food preservation in the recently renovated old smokehouse of the James O’Keeffe Institute. He also demonstrated the skills involved in hot smoking using a smoker totally constructed by PJ from recycled materials.

The weather was also onside and PJ, with the assistance of Tom Donovan and Don Murphy, provided wonderful artisan food and a great evening was had by all.

The grand finale event was the Traditional Skills and Agriculture Museum Open Day. This included an exhibition of Vintage Farm Machinery, Equipment and Carts all renovated to full working order along with a fully renovated Vintage Dairy, a range of traditional crafts including Basket Making from Willow with Diane Carton, Weaving by Michaele Mirtschink, Rory Walsh and Gerry Buckley demonstrated the art of crafting a Sugan Chair. PJ Cremin once again put his many talents on show with his Blacksmith Display, Tom Donovan had an array of Vintage Tractor seats and Billy Buckley of Inchemay Wood Craft showcased his wonderful wood carvings.

“We would like to thank everyone who joined with us for a week of events that inspired, engaged and educated us about the people and places that created the past and define the present,” said a spokesperson for IRD Duhallow following an eventful week.

Michaele Mirtschink, Kilcorney, spinning some of her fine wool products during the Open Day at the IRD Duhallow Agricultural Museum which was held as part of Heritage Week. Photos: Sheila Fitzgerald

Tim and Peggy O’Shea, Millstreet, admiring the work of Blacksmith PJ Cremin.

Duhallow Vintage Club members JJ Keane, Charles Gilman, Bill Neale, Tom O Doherty, Cormac Daly, and John Noel Cronin, brought their fabulous vintage cars to the James O’Keeffe Institute.

Rory Walsh, Freemount, replacing the sugáns on chairs during Open Day.

Bill Buckley, Banteer, carving out some delightful creatures during the Open Day.