Cruinníu na Cásca a huge success across the county
The County of Cork truly did itself proud on Easter Monday 2017 when the inaugural Cruinniú na Cásca, was celebrated throughout the County of Cork. In each of the eight Municipal Districts that make up the County, over 20 various events were undertaken in total.
In Rockchapel the wonderful cultural production ‘Path to 1916’ was performed in the Bruach na Carraige Centre.
Performers on the night were outstanding, and also present and speaking on the night were Chair of Cork County Council’s Commemorative Committee Councillor Frank O’Flynn and local Councillor Bernard Moynihan, both commending Rockchapel for the wonderful commemorative/cultural work undertaken.
In Mallow, and more specifically, in the grounds of Mallow Castle, over 300 people were present in the front lawn of Mallow Castle House, to watch on and listen to a gathering of Pipe Bands performing. Pipe Bands on the day included Cullen, Béal Átha An Ghaorthaidh and Mallow to name a few, and everyone present thoroughly enjoyed the event.
A short distance to the east, close to 50 people gathered for a wonderful talk by County Archaeologist Mary Sleeman in Castletownroche, who spoke excellently on the cultural importance of Bridgetown Priory in the Late Medieval Period. Wonderful traditional music was also played live on the day, and with the Priory itself as the backdrop, it was a most special occasion.
In Millstreet the museum was open for afternoon visitors, many of whom also joined in on a wonderful walking tour of Millstreet’s heritage and culture.
In Baile Bhúirne, Cruinniú na Cásca also saw a wonderful event by way of a Céilí Mór with Shane Creed agus a Chairde, which took place in the Abbey Hotel; an event that also had a strong European contingent present who were over visiting Ballyvourney and environs.
Ballincollig too saw much activity on the day, commencing with a talk by Ted Cook on ‘How Nature Inspires Creativity’, followed by a fantastic military re-enactment by the PARDS.
Many people on the day also enjoyed the African drumming and music performed in the afternoon. All of the events took place in the Regional Park Ballincollig / Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills which saw hundreds of people present over the course of the day.
Given the importance of the inaugural Cruinniú na Cásca, Cork County Council intends to make available in the coming months, a DVD with live footage and photographs, highlighting many of the fine events that took place throughout the day. Over the coming months Cork County Council will also be undertaking a 5-year cultural strategy and there will be much more on this in the coming weeks and months.
In relation to events this week, there are two that will be of interest from a heritage perspective. On Thursday 27th April, there will be a talk by Shane Lehane regarding ‘ The May Morning Hare’.
This fantastic talk on Irish folklore and custom will take place in the Ballygarvan Community Centre at 8pm and has been organised by the Ballygarvan History Society. All welcome.
On Saturday 29th April, a wonderful concert will take place as a fundraiser for the wonderful Kilmurry Independence Museum.
Performers on the night include Séamus Begley, Jim Murray and Liam Ó Maoinlaoí and the event commences at 8pm in the Éire Óg GAA Hall.
Tickets for the night are €20 and it promises to be a great night. For more information visit www.kilmurrymuseum.ie.
A few days later on Thursday, 4th May, there will be a wonderful talk in Blarney Secondary School, commencing at 8pm.
The talk, entitled ‘May-day Magic – Fairies, Witches and Dew- Charms’ will be given by guest speaker Dr. Jenny Butler, who will discuss some some legends of the Sídh (fairies) as well as historical (and continuing) customs. ‘Who were the Sídh? Why do we still believe in and, sometimes, fear them?
Dr. Butler also discusses how the earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre- Christian times’.
This event has been organised by the Blarney and District Historical Society and promises to be most interesting. All welcome.
May 4th also sees the centenary of the arrival of the US Navy to Cork as part of World War I operations and an exhibition, looking at the social aspects, will be opened in the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, on the day. This is a wonderful exhibition, not to be missed.
Next week’s column will take a look at many of the further events scheduled for the month of May.