‘Strawboys, Mummers and Mischief’ ... and then there’s Hallowe’en
LAST week saw the holding of the Creative Ireland County Cork Conference in Mallow. The event, which had over 60 people present, took place in the Hibernian Hotel and was the third such Conference held by Cork County Council through the Creative Ireland Programme, this year, with a focus on supporting creativity in young people.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a most sincere ambitious initiative, operating on 5 key strands that aim to bring culture and creativity into the heart of people’s lives - one of the main stands being the supporting of creativity in young people.
The day saw a number of excellent speakers and was topped off with an excellent walking tour of Mallow Town and Castle Grounds with thanks to Kevin Myers and Dan Doolan.
Mallow is a town that is steeped in heritage and there is much taking place there over the coming days.
On Tuesday 29th October, commencing at 8pm in the Social Services Room, New Road, Mallow, will be a talk on ‘Strawboys, Mummers and Mischief ’ by Dr. Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc, organised by the Mallow Field Club.
The talk delves into traditional Irish Folk Customs such as Strawboys, Biddy Boys, Mummers and the Wren, and will also examine their associated crafts and activities. It promises to be a most interesting talk and all welcome to attend.
With Halloween only a few days away, Mallow will also see much footfall on Saturday October 26th with the holding of Mallow’s Spooktacular Festival - a day for all the family, which promotes the cultural importance of Halloween in Ireland. The event, which commences in the grounds of Mallow Castle at 15:30 will feature music, scary storytelling, a spooky fire show, terrifying tiny animals as well as a number of food and craft stalls.
For those in East Cork, the Youghaloween Spooktacular Festival also takes place the same weekend, running from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th. It will feature a range of terrific undertakings including a Forbidden Forest; a Halloween Ceremony, Ghost Tours through the Town and a children’s Halloween party.
For those in West Cork, Thursday 24th October in Clonakilty sees a wonderful talk on Irish Country Furniture by Dr. Claudia Kinmonth. As well as showing images of local farmhouse furniture, the evening will include actual examples of small furnishings such as noggins, spoons made of horn, and coarse earthenware.
The audience is invited to bring
along relevant old objects for opinions and also photos of larger items. The event gets underway at 20:30 in the Parish Centre and everyone is welcome to attend.
With November almost around the corner there is also plenty to look forward to.
On Thursday 7th November in Blarney, there will be a talk on the Burning of Cork City, which took place in December 1920 – an event that will see much by way of commemoration in Cork City and County next year.
The talk will be given by author and historian Michael Lenihan and will tell the story of the events before, during and after that infamous night, when British Forces set fire to the commercial and civic heart of the city on the night of 11-12 December 1920.
The Kilmichael Ambush in November 1920 is often cited as one of the pivotal incidents leading to the burning and the talk promises to be a most fascinating one. It commences at 8pm in Blarney Secondary School, organised by the Blarney &
District Historical Society.
For those with an interest in the history of the Inniscarra area of mid- Cork, the evening of Friday, 8th November is one very much to look forward to – a night that will see the launch of Inniscarra Historical Society’s 2nd Local Journal – Changing Times Issue Number Two.
The publication will be launched at 8pm in Griffins Garden Centre, Dripsey, and will include a review of the journal by Shane Lehane. It promises to be a most memorable night – not to be missed.