Clonmany to hold a day of events celebrating its history and heritage

Clonmany is holding an array of heritage-themed events to suit all ages next month.

A range of experts will be on hand in the village to provide walks, exhibitions, and demonstrations on Saturday, June 1.The free events, which are funded by the The BurrenBeo Trust, include a walk and talk in Straid and around Clonmany village. The Market House will host demonstrations of weaving, willow basket-making, toy-making, baking and butter-making. The Market House will also host an exhibition of old photographs of Clonmany, which derives from Cluain Maine meaning the Meadow of the Monks, and the surrounding areas.

The Meet and Make Heritage Day is on the theme of Connecting with People and Reconnecting with the Past and is under the umbrella of the Heritage Keepers project. The Clonmany Genealogy and Heritage Group will stage a varied Walk and Talk, beginning in Straid and concluding in Clonmany Village. Participants are invited to gather at the Urris GAA car park in Straid at 9.45am and they will be escorted to the Old Church nearby.

The organisers gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Urris GAA in making their car park available.The talk at the Old Church will cover many topics including the history of the church, information on Dresden House, the Glen House, Glenfield Camp and the many significant historical figures who lived there and in the local area, many of whom are buried in the graveyard.

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The talk will feature many other local historic sites, people, events and folklore. Participants will then be invited to return to their cars and make their way to Clonmany Village where the walk and talk will continue with information on the history of the village and the many interesting sites there, including the bridge, Market House, St. Mary’s Hall, the Bulaba Monument and the church and graveyard. The participants are guaranteed to hear a few historical snippets they may not have heard before.

There will be a demonstration of willow basket making, starting at 10.30am, at the Market House Café and Museum. Children will be invited to participate in a willow-toy making workshop, hosted by local willow artist Brendan Farren. Brendan has been giving demonstrations of this wonderful art form for many years and it has proved very popular with adults and children alike.

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Another popular demonstration will be the Brown bread, butter and salt-making demonstration, which will be held upstairs in the Market House beginning at 12.30pm. Dominque McDaid will show us how to make Irish soda bread, which was a staple of the local diet and continues to be popular today.

Participants will have a unique opportunity to make their own fresh butter to take home, as well as capturing sea salt from our Atlantic sea water. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment as seating is limited.

Rounding off the demonstrations, there will be a weaving workshop, marking and celebrating Clonmany’s famous weaving history, and this will be held upstairs at the Market House. Siobhán Ní Ghallchóir will be weaving on the Harris Loom during the day, with a demonstration at 1.30pm and children’s weaving workshop at 2pm. Adults and children alike will have an opportunity to try their hands at one of the most iconic of trade skills, following in the illustrious footsteps of local weaver, Charles McGlinchey, who was made famous in the book Last of the Name. Places for the workshop are limited so coming along early to book is advised.