Cruachan Aí: Heritage, Conference, Education and Cultural Centre

Spiritual Conference in Tulsk

2011-11-22T12:50:00.003Z

Spiritual Capital of Connacht Conference Weekend, Tulsk, Co Roscommon

Event theme is “Connecting with the Land”, and we are delighted to announce our new spiritual conference event in Roscommon:

Since before history the West & Northwest of Ireland has been a place with a spiritual resonance. A place where Christian scholars kept civilisation alive. A place where belief and landscape merge. A place where you can feel things you can’t touch, where you experience an authentic unspoilt nature and timeless faith. A place where you can open your heart and lift your spirits – Ireland’s Spiritual Heartland.

The ceremonial and spiritual capital of this region is Rathcroghan, in County Roscommon – this is the legendary Cruachan, palace and sacred centre for the Druids, Kings and Queens of Connacht all through the ages.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November 2011

€20 for Weekend Ticket!

€15 value Day Pass for Saturday talks, Individual Price = €5 per talk
(Saturday Pre-Booked Day Pass only €12!)

« Deirdre Wadding of Tall Tales Troubadors

Song of the Land. Every place has its own sound and song; listening for it and singing it back to the land forges a connection. Exploring the ‘Song of Amairgin’ from Irish legend, the use of our native language in magical work, and how the land responds!

« Lora O’Brien, Irish Author and Bean Draoí

Goddesses of Connacht: From Medb to the Morrigan, we all know the usual suspects. But what of Flidhais, she of Castlerea sovereignty? What of Gaillimh inion Breasail, and does her aspect have an effect on the many Brazilians who are drawn to the West of Ireland?! And even Mongfind and Cairenn, ancient rivals who between them birthed the Connachta and the Uí Niall clans? Recommended for those who want to explore their feminine side; will include journeying and self development work, along with a healthy dose of Irish heritage information.

« John Sinnott, B.A. Arch, of Irish Heritage Crafts

Sacred Sites: Care and Responsibility. A qualified Archaeologist, Alexandrian 1* and member of Cois Teallaigh Coven in County Roscommon, John has extensive experience working with sacred sites, through both the archaeological and pagan fields. This talk was designed to show that many practices which are viewed as quite standard among pagans, could actually damage the sites we profess to care for.

« Francis De’Venney, of Faol Lia Historical Re-enactment Society

Land and Ancestors. A fascinating insight into the ancient Irish psyche, from an anthropologist and accomplished practitioner of 30+ years experience

« Talas Pái of Roscommon’s Huginn Press

Working With the Wights. The numinous is all around us, from temples and trees to your house and car. In this talk, Talas takes an animistic approach to working with the wights, sidhe, vaettir and other spirits. The talk ranges from theoretical to practical — what the wights are and where they fit into the cosmos to how, where and why to approach and work with them.

« Con Connor of Roscommon’s Druid School

Eachtra, a Celtic dreaming, guided visualisation journey with the Cauldron of Vocation and the Realm of Land. Eachtra is the White Mare as the Celtic Goddess and we journey with her to meet the Ancestor Clan where we get an individual message as spiritual guidance.

« Del Eagle, (Sunday Morning, 2 Talks)

Flower Essences and how they are made, the connection between Earth and Sky

Tantra, the connection between Earth/Body and Spirit

SUNDAY AFTERNOON - 2pm to 5pm
Appointments available with Readers (Tarot, etc) and Healers, therapists.
(Individual Booking Costs will apply!)

Spiritual Capital of Connacht

Conference Weekend, Tulsk, Co Roscommon

Saturday 26^th November 2011

TIME	SPEAKER	TOPIC
10am – 10.45am	Deirdre Wadding	Song of the Land
11am – 11.45am	Lora O’Brien	Goddesses of Connacht
12noon – 12.45pm	John Sinnott	Sacred Sites: Care and Responsibility
1pm-2pm	Lunch	Shopping
2pm-2.45pm	Talas Pái	Working with the Wights/Spirits
3pm – 3.45pm	Fran De’Venney	Land and Ancestors
4pm – 5pm	Con Connor	Eachtra, a Celtic dreaming

Individual price - €5 per talk/workshop

Value Day Ticket – just €15!

Spiritual Capital of Connacht

Conference Weekend, Tulsk, Co Roscommon

Sunday 27^th November 2011

TIME	SPEAKER	TOPIC
11am – 11.45am	Del Eagle	Tantra Connection
12noon – 12.45am	Del Eagle	Bach Flower Essences

Individual price - €5 per talk/workshop

Value Weekend Ticket – just €20!

(all talks & workshops, Saturday & Sunday)

Sunday Afternoon from 2pm to 5pm

Appointments Available

with Healers and Readers

Individual Booking Costs will apply!

Find us on Facebook!

Booking on 071 9639268

Tulsk Accommodation

2011-11-22T12:07:00.004Z

LUXURY SELF CATERING APARTMENTS IN THE HEART OF CO. ROSCOMMON
Phyllis Jordan and her family invite you to stay at one of their three luxury self catering apartments- all set in a lovely country area.

Central for four golf courses.
Famous for game and course fishing with 14 lakes within easy reach.
Ideal for cycling and walking.
Area rich in history and archaeology.

The Granary is an old converted grain store with original stonework set in the countryside with large gardens. It has been tastefully refurbished into a 2-bedroom self-catering apartment.
Caddlebrook was an old schoolhouse which was converted into two luxury 2-bedroom self catering apartments.

To book your holiday or for further details please contact:
Mrs Phyllis Jordan, Ballyglass, Ballingare, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
Tel: 086 1721476
Email: wpjordan@eircom.net

The Craft and the Cross

2011-11-18T11:14:00.002Z

Author: Chris McClintock

Price: ~~€18.00~~€9.00

The Craft and the Cross examines the birth of sacres symbolism in pre-christiam times, and traces its development and survival into the modern world. This study is the result of a quest to understand the symbols of Freemasonry, and reveals for the first time ever what the obscure allegories actually mean. in coming to understand the true meaning of the rituals and symbols of Freemasonry a picture emerges that is both controversial and unexpected, for it shows a common origin of both the symbols of the Craft and those of Christianity. And that common origin is the anicent veneration of the sun.

Chris McClintock is an author specialising in ancient symbolism. He became an Irish Freemason in 1991, joining Lodge No 754 Coleraine. He became Master of the lodge in 2005. Intrigued by the curious symbolism and gestures used within the workings of the lodge he set about investigating those rituals to try to discover their underlying meanings.

Cú Chulainn

2011-11-18T10:29:00.008Z

Author: Darage Smyth

Price: ~~€17.50~~ €12.50

Cú Chulainn was the grestest hero of an heroic centred on Ulster and North Leinster. He is in the European tradition of heroes, from Ajax to Achilles to King Arthur. He was a demi-god, having both a solar deity, Lug, and Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, for his father.This book followas Cú Chulainn from his birth to his initiation in arms, his various romances in Ireland and Scotland, and his marriage to Emer at Emain Macha.

Darragh Smyth was born and lives in Dublin, where he teaches Early Irish History and Mythology at Dublin Institute of Technology. He is the author of A Guide To Irish Mythology and co-author of places of Mythology. He is a fellow of Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.

To get this book click here.

The Poets Ogam

2011-11-18T09:53:00.002Z

Author: John-Paul Patton

Price: ~~€20.00~~ €10.00

The Poet's Ogam is a creative exploration of the Ogam, based on a 17-year study by Irish author John-Paul Patton. This book explores the historical context of Ogam and the relationship between Ogam, poetry and the Gaelic harp. It contains a range of comparative studies between Ogam and the Kabbalah, Runes, I Ching and other systems. The text also presents original creations of an Ogam calendar, a divination system, and a reconstruction of Fidchell (the ancient Irish chess game) based on Ogam. The book further includes a system of Gaelic martial arts based on an elemental Ogam framework, magical Ogam squares, Ogam pentacles and much more, that fill this tour de force of contemporary Ogam study and use. The Poet's Ogam carries on the Art and Science of the Filid-the Philosopher Poets who created and developed the Ogam and is a must for anyone with an interest in Celtic spirituality and magick.

John-Paul Patton has studied the esoteric for over 20 years with a particular focus on Thelema, The Irish Magical Tradition, Taoism and Tantra. John-Paul has been recognised for many years as a leading authority in esoteric Ogam studies and delivered a headline talk on Ogam at the first ever 'Witchfest Ireland' event in Dublin. in his professional life John-Paul is Head of a Media Studies Department and a Teacher of English.

Roscommon Castle- A visitor's Guide

2011-11-18T09:25:00.006Z

Author: Kieran O'Conor and Margaret Murphy

Price: €7.50

Roscommon Castle, begun in 1269 by justiciar (the English king's chief governor in Ireland) as a royal castle and occupied down until late 17th century, is one of the most striking buildings of medieval date still standing in Ireland. Its magnifience is a reminder to ther people od Roscommon that their town was once a major centre in the country as a whole during the medieval period.

It is hoped that this guidebook will provide not only information but also enjoyment to those who choose to visit Roscommon Castle. Its detailed nature should also make it a significant contribution to continuing academic research into the role of castles in medieval Ireland.

Had Me Made

2011-11-17T16:10:00.004Z

Author: Mary B. Timoney

Price: €25.00 €12.50

This book is the result of very great love and very great labor. Mary B. has visited the Sligo graveyards - the well trodden urban one and the small almost forgotten ones - over and over again, waiting for the right light, trying for the third of fourth time to record accurately an inscription, photographing a memorial repeatedly, in case the next photograph is better than all the earlier ones. She has battled through bad weather, inconvenient poor light, dense high weeds and the uneven ground that is so much part of all our graveyards. Mary B. has also spent long hours in local and national archives and libraries in order to identify the families and the individuals who are commemorated and the makers of the memorials.

Mary B. Timoney from Waterford, came in 1979 to teach with Sligo into the memorials and later at Coola. Since May 1984 she has opened up new field of interest for the people of Sligo into the memorials of the dead of the last four centuries, particularly their artwork. She is a member of Sligo Field club of which she has been Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary. She is a member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland and the Society for Church Archaeology.

To get this book now click here.

Rathcroghan Book

2011-11-17T14:19:00.003Z

Author: John Waddell

Price: €45.00 €22.50

Publisher: Wordwell

Cruachan Aí has proven to probably the most enigmatic of all the royal landscapes, yielding finally only to this sustained programme of analysis, combining scientic technology, rigorous scholarship and intimate knowledge of the land acquired over decades of fieldwork: John Waddell's excavation of Dath-í's Mound 28 years ago represents the genesis of this great project. Most of the monuments defy classification and how they are composed into a sacral landscape is ll too often obscured by the overprint of modern field boundaries and roads that carve up what was once a topographical and toponymic continuum. Erase these from the mind's eye and the entrance to the Underworld at Úaim na Cat is restored to its rightful place, across open ground between Rathcroghan Mound and the Mucklaghs and overlooked by Relignaree or the King's Burial-Ground

John Waddell is a professor of Archaeology in the National University of Ireland, Galway.

To get this book now click here.

Rathcroghan & Carnfree Book

2011-11-17T13:39:00.007Z

Author: Michael Herity

Price: €8.90 €4.95

This short guide is based on a survey of the antiquities on an area of 100 square kilometers around Cruachan and Carnfree begun before 1980. Investigations at the other major Royal Sites of Ireland, Tara, Tailteann, Tlachtga and Eamhain Macha have provided invaluable comparisons which have aided the interpretation of the Roscommon sites. The work has been assisted by grants from University College Dublin, the National Committee for Archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy, Anglo-Irish Meats and Roscommon County Council.

As there has been little excavation in the area, the identifications presented here of the types to which the various monuments belong are based on field inspection and on comparison with monuments elsewhere in Ireland. The more specific information provided by excavation will probably alter some identifications, especially of partly destroyed sites.

Professor Micheal Herity teaches Archaeology at University College Dublin, where he was Dean of Celtic Studies from 1984 to 1990. A specialist in the Irish Stone Age and its European background, and in the history of Irish antiquarianism, he has also studied Celtic Royal Sites and the layout and feature of Irish heritages and monasteries.

To get this book now click here.

November Events in Roscommon

2011-11-08T13:21:00.009Z

After a busy Samhain at Cruachan Ai, Tulsk, we have another exciting month of events this November

Thursday 17th 7pm - 9pm

Tarot Reading
(Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre Tulsk, Co. Roscommon)

Tarot reading by a professional reader: after our successful talk on divination we will be offering Tarot readings at Cruachan Aí. Booking is essential. If you are interested please contact cruachanai@gmail.com or 071 9639268 to book your place.

Saturday 19th November 2 - 4 pm

Childrens Mask Making Workshop

An opportunity to learn about Celtic arts and traditions which date back to the Iron Age. But besides all that, it#s great craic for the kids! They can create a mask for the Wild Hunt, a mythical hunting party from the otherworld who hunt for sport, or just paint and glue on whatever they feel like making. A great opportunity to entertain the kids for a few hours while you put your feet up in Coffee@Keoghs, or do the weekly shopping in peace. Don't forget our End of Year Gift Sale, with up to 50% off!

Price €5 per child (group discounts 2 or more, €3 per child)
If you are interested please contact cruachanai@gmail.com or 071 9639268 to book your place.

Thursday 24th 7 - 9pm

How to become a published author - Talk & Writing Class

When you have gained control of the vocabulary, mastered your personal style and expelled all those nasty punctuation mistakes, after you have stressed and strained every last imaginative cell in your mind and finally pressed save for the last time - you might want to publish your literary child and release it to the world...

But how? Where do you start? Published author Lora O'Brien offers some hints and tips on where to start, and how to finish, for those who would like to see their work in print.

Price €10

If you are interested please contact cruachanai@gmail.com or 071 9639268 to book your place.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November 2011

‘Spiritual Capital of Connacht’ Conference Weekend

Tulsk, Co Roscommon

Event theme is “Connecting with the Land”, and we are delighted to announce our new spiritual conference event in Roscommon:

Since before history the West & Northwest of Ireland has been a place with a spiritual resonance. A place where Christian scholars kept civilisation alive. A place where belief and landscape merge. A place where you can feel things you can’t touch, where you experience an authentic unspoilt nature and timeless faith. A place where you can open your heart and lift your spirits – Ireland’s Spiritual Heartland.

The ceremonial and spiritual capital of this region is Rathcroghan, in County Roscommon – this is the legendary Cruachan, palace and sacred centre for the Druids, Kings and Queens of Connacht all through the ages.

« Con Connor of Roscommon’s Druid School

Eachtra, a Celtic dreaming, guided visualisation journey with the Cauldron of Vocation and the Realm of Land. Eachtra is the White Mare as the Celtic Goddess and we journey with her to meet the Ancestor Clan where we get an individual message as spiritual guidance.

« Talas Pái of Roscommon’s Huginn Press

Working With the Wights. The numinous is all around us, from temples and trees to your house and car. In this talk, Talas takes an animistic approach to working with the wights, sidhe, vaettir and other spirits. The talk ranges from theoretical to practical — what the wights are and where they fit into the cosmos to how, where and why to approach and work with them.

« Deirdre Wadding of Tall Tales Troubadors

Song of the Land. Every place has its own sound and song; listening for it and singing it back to the land forges a connection. Exploring the ‘Song of Amairgin’ from Irish legend, the use of our native language in magical work, and how the land responds!

« John Sinnott, B.A. Arch, of Irish Heritage Crafts

Sacred Sites: Care and Responsibility. A qualified Archaeologist, Alexandrian 1* and member of Cois Teallaigh Coven in County Roscommon, John has extensive experience working with sacred sites, through both the archaeological and pagan fields. This talk was designed to show that many practices which are viewed as quite standard among pagans, could actually damage the sites we profess to care for.

« Del Eagle, (Sunday Only)

Flower Essences and how they are made, the connection between Earth and Sky

Tantra, the connection between Earth/Body and Spirit

« Francis De’Venney, of Faol Lia Historical Re-enactment Society

Land and Ancestors. A fascinating insight into the ancient Irish psyche, from an anthropologist and accomplished practitioner of 30+ years experience

« Lora O’Brien, Irish Author and Bean Draoí

Goddesses of Connacht: From Medb to the Morrigan, we all know the usual suspects. But what of Flidhais, she of Castlerea sovereignty? What of Gaillimh inion Breasail, and does her aspect have an effect on the many Brazilians who are drawn to the West of Ireland?! And even Mongfind and Cairenn, ancient rivals who between them birthed the Connachta and the Uí Niall clans? Recommended for those who want to explore their feminine side; will include journeying and self development work, along with a healthy dose of Irish heritage information.

FULL SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

All Month

Cruachan Aí Craft and Book Shop Sale – Stock Clearance for end of Year.

Craft and jewellery reduced 30%, Books reduced 50% - How many weeks til Christmas? Get your gifts for less!!!

Regular Events

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12.noon. October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th.

Beginner’s Knitting Club
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk. Tuesday evenings, 5 to 6.30pm. Children’s Teens or Adults, all welcome. Needles and Wool available/for sale, or bring your own! Admission €5. Family discounts available.

October Events in Tulsk

2011-10-06T11:19:00.004+01:00

We have lots of events happening in Cruachan Ai throughout October to celebrate the Ancient Irish festival of Samhain or Halloween.

Friday 21st October
Storytelling- Come in and tell stories! Local ghost stories and myths told by local people. Anyone can contribute a story on the night. We are looking for your stories now, give us a ring on 0719639268 or drop in on the night and tell it yourself. In association with Coffee @ Keoghs.

Saturday 22nd October
Hidden in the bog - Turf and archaelogy Adult education talk. Starting at 7pm. Admission €5.

Thursday 27th October
Samhain Traditions Talk with Irish author Lora O'Brien, starting at 8pm. Admission €5.

Friday 28th October
- Tour of Oweynagat Cave- with a tour guide from Cruachan Ai. Starting at 4pm. Price €5
- Spooky Storytelling - Part of the Rathcroghan Living History Club, family storytelling session. Starting at 6pm, admission €3.
- Irish Vampires- talk and documentry. Starting at 8pm. Admission €5.

Saturday 29th october
- Wild hunt mask workshop. Part of the Rathcroghan Living History Club, starting at 2pm. Admission €5.
- Tour of Oweynagat Cave- with a tour guide from Cruachan Ai. Starting at 4pm. Price €5.

Sunday 30th October
- Divination Workshop- with Irish author Lora O'Brien. Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of recognized methods and techniques. It is an integral part of irish folklore and has been used in various forms for thousands of years. Starting at 2pm. Admission €5.
- Tour of Oweynagat Cave- with a tour guide from Cruachan Ai. Starting at 4pm. Price €5.

Monday 31st October
- Supervised kids trick or treat. Starting at 5pm from Cruachan Ai
- Followed by a spooky kids movie in the centre.
Both of these activities are run as a community service by Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, and are free of charge.

Regular Events
Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12.noon. October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th.

Beginner’s Knitting Club
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk. Tuesday evenings, 5 to 6.30pm. Children’s Teens or Adults, all welcome. Needles and Wool available/for sale, or bring your own! Admission €5. Family discounts available.

August Events in Roscommon

2011-08-03T16:24:00.008+01:00

This month in Tulsk we have lots of FREE activities for Adults and Kids.

First Wednesday of every Month
3rd August, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December 2011
As part of the OPW initiative, we are offering guided tours of the Rathcroghan exhibition centre, exploring the Celtic Royal Site of Connacht, and the Medieval village of Tulsk, FREE of charge all day, from 9am to 5pm (last tour 4pm).

Wednesday 17th August
Writer's Workshop, 2pm to 4pm
Advice, networking and support to help you produce pieces for entry to the Age Action Ireland 'Is Feidir Linn' writing competition. (Closing date 5th September). Details of the competition can be found at the Age Action Website. Entries will be judged by a panel including Maeve Binchy. The theme: - "Is Feidir Linn" (yes we can!), the Spirit that Built Ireland.
(Note, competition entry is the individuals responsibility, advice and support will be given. Entries cost €10 per application, and go direct to Age Action Ireland)

Friday 19th to Sunday 21st August
Tulsk Fair and Festival 2011
Promising a great programme of events, stalls, and family fun all weekend! For more info or to book your great value stall space, call Eileen on: 0876413107.

Monday 22nd August
As part of National Heritage Week, we are offering FREE access to the Exhibition rooms at Cruachan Aí all day, from 9am to 5pm, with free guided tours where possible.

Monday 22nd August
Medieval Food Display, 2pm to 3pm.

Part of the Rathcroghan Living History Club programme. See the foods, cookware and utensils that were used in Medieval Tulsk, and learn some surprising facts about what people did and did not eat back then! FREE of charge, Donations welcome.

Monday 22nd August
Guided Tour of Medieval village of Tulsk, 3pm to 4pm
With local historian and professional tour guide, Bernadette D'Alton. FREE of charge, Donations welcome.

Walking Club - Meet at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Sunday mornings, 12 noon, for a gentle 5km route on back lanes around Tulsk. Family friendly, suitable for all ages - get fit, enjoy the area, and get a relaxing social walk in good company. Free Guided Walks available once a month: spot the local interest features you never even knew were there!

Don't forget the Centre and Cafe are open Sundays 12 to 4pm all through Summer!

Why not relax and De-Stress this Summer?!
Appointments Available with Sandra Clarke - Reflexologist and Massage Therapist

Reflexology is a treatment based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that relate to every organ, gland and system of the body.

Pressure is applied to the feet, which helps to restore balance to the individual physically, mentally and energetically. It encourages the body to heal itself by removing energy blockages, increasing circulation and reducing tension and stress. Regular treatments can assist with: stress relief, allergy relief, reduction in back and neck tension, promotion of good sleeping habits and improved digestion. No artificial devices or special equipment are associated with this therapy. It is a fully clothed treatment where just the shoes and socks are removed and the client is made comfortable by lying down on the massage table. Sessions are approximately 50 - 60 minutes in duration.

Massage benefits are for both mind and body. It is rare that we take an hour to lie down, close our eyes and just 'be'. An hour's peace and quiet away from a busy world has a definite restorative effect. Massage is beneficial in reducing stress and muscle tightness while increasing joint mobility, circulation, flexibility and immunity. It can reduce many common ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, headaches, bloating & fatigue and helps in restoring balance to the body and mind.

Sandra is certified by ITEC, The National Register of Reflexologists (Ireland), and The Limerick Institute of Massage and Sports Therapy. She will be offering appointments at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk, for the coming months.
Call her on (086 8757979) to book your place!

REGULAR EVENTS

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12.noon.
August 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th.

Second Wednesday of every month – Writers Club in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12 noon.
August 10th

Local Accommodation, Tulsk and Rathcroghan

2011-06-21T13:15:00.003+01:00

Local self catering accommodation which is delightfully situated and includes fully wheelchair friendly options, inside and out. The Granary is an old converted grain store with original stonework set in the countryside with large gardens, tastefully refurbished into a 2 bedroom self catering apartment. Caddlebrook was an old school house, converted into 2 luxury 2 bedroomed self catering apartments. Please ring Mrs. Phyllis Jordan on 086 1721476, or email wpjordan@eircom.net, for further details.

Right in Tulsk Village, a self catering cottage is available, ring 086 8182918 or email conwaytulsk@eircom.net for further details.

Or try the warm welcome at Tulsk Lodge B&B, just call Rosemary Black on 071 9639902.

If you'd prefer to stay in Roscommon town, about 15 minutes drive from Tulsk, we highly recommend Gleeson's Townhouse, where Eamonn and Mary will give you the Royal Roscommon treatment.

Wherever you choose to stay, I'm sure they'll recommend a visit to us at Cruachan Aí in Tulsk, and be sure to let them know we sent you!

Medieval Midsummer Festival, Sunday Schedule

2011-06-21T12:36:00.007+01:00

Sunday 26th June 2011

1pm, Craft Fair in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre
Hand crafts and Holistic therapies available!

1.30pm, 'Pride of Roscommon' Schools Poster Competition Winner announcement

Family Fun in O'Connor's Parkland - Programmed Events start at 2pm

• Eagles Flying - Hunting and Hawking Displays
• Medieval pottery displays and kids workshops
• Leather crafts
• Medieval Foods display and demonstration
• Wandering Medieval Juggler/Magician
• Archery displays and ‘have a go’ archery
• Battle re-enactments, 2pm and 4pm, plus display and demo
• Face painting and Storytelling

Cost of Entry just €5 per person, Family Tickets special offer only €10!

Supported by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Roscommon County Council. All proceeds to support Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, a community project.

Medieval Midsummer Festival, Saturday Schedule

2011-06-21T12:22:00.004+01:00

Saturday, 25th June 2011

12pm, Elder Workshop. Discover the history, folklore and practical uses of one of our most common native plants. Just €3 per person, Suitable for adults and children 8 and up.

2pm, "Ogham in Medieval Ireland", by John Paul Patton, author of 'The Poet's Ogham: A Living Magical Tradition'. €4 per person.
Website for 'The Poet's Ogam'.

3pm, "Nostalgia and Reinvention: How Medieval Irish scholars tried to make sense of ancient traditions", by Isolde Carmody. Covers the genealogies which tried to untie family histories, Irish mythology, medieval glosses on Ogham which created the 'tree alphabet', Biblical and Classical traditions, and the synthetic etymologies of the Glossaries. €4 per person.

4pm, "Tour of Medieval Tulsk", with Archaeologist John Sinnott and Historian Bernadette D'Alton. €4 per person.

5pm, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", with Maia Mathieu. Round table reading of an abridged version of the famous Medieval Play. €3 per person.

Day Tickets, all events - Special Rate of €15!

Supported by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Roscommon County Council. All proceeds to support Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, a community project.

Opening Sundays for Summer

2011-06-03T14:41:00.003+01:00

Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre will now be opening on Sundays from 12noon - 4pm. We are still taking group bookings on Sundays, so book your group in now to avoid disappointment on the day.

June Events in Tulsk

2011-06-02T13:29:00.007+01:00

This month at Cruachan Aí we have a good range of interesting and great value activities on offer, for adults and kids!

ANGEL THERAPY COURSE starts Friday, 3rd June · 8pm - 10pm

Run over a 5 week period and covering all the major questions you may have with regard to Psychic, Spiritual and Angelic development, in an honest and easy to understand manner. The course is run by a natural born healer and psychic who has been qualified in the fields of Integrated Energy Therapy, Magical Angel Therapies, Mediumship, and Angel Counseling.

Course content includes introductions to: Know thyself through meditations, Grounding and protection, Understanding Auras and Chakras, Crystals and Card readings, Healing and personal Angels, Spirit guides, Mediumship, plus lots more fun spiritual stuff... all questions will be answered!

To book your place, call Caroline on 0894549087

Kids Medieval Pottery Workshop
with Jaqui Wright

Saturday 4th June
Part of Rathcroghan Living History Club programme. Learn how to make two pieces of medieval pottery complete with glazing and decoration!
10am – 4pm, bring a packed lunch.
€7 per child – family discounts available. Places limited to 10 children, so book your place now!

Walking Club - Meet at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Sunday mornings, 12 noon, for a gentle 5km route on back lanes around Tulsk. Family friendly, suitable for all ages - get fit, enjoy the area, and get a relaxing social walk in good company. Free Guided Walks available once a month: spot the local interest features you never even knew were there!

Don't forget the Centre and Cafe are open Sundays 12 to 4pm all through Summer!

The Curlew Warrior 10k Race
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre staff and volunteers, including Faol Lia Re-enactment Society, will be supporting the Race, in aid of the MS Society of Roscommon.
From 10am on Sunday 19th June we will be in Boyle to promote the event, with examples of costume, weaponry and fighting of the Irish in the late 1500's, when the Battle of Curlew Pass took place.
More information available from Tony Byrne on 086 2324020 or by email: tbyrne@indigo.ie

Medieval Tulsk Talks and Tours
Saturday 25th June · 2pm to 5pm
in Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre

Part of the Medieval Midsummer weekend. From 2pm, a selection of academic Talks provided by experts, both local and national, and including costumed guided tours of Medieval Tulsk.

2pm, "Ogham in Medieval Ireland", by John Paul Patton, author of 'The Poet's Ogham: A Living Magical Tradition'.
Buy your copy here - The Poet's Ogham.

Full Programme TBA, supported by the Heritage Council of Ireland

Midsummer Craft Fair
26 June · 13:00 - 17:00

Art/Hand Craft Stalls, & Holistic Therapies - in association with the Cruachan Crafters and Tulsk Medieval Festival. Relax, de-stress, and enjoy the Festival atmosphere. Unique shopping for all the family!

Have you an art or craft hobby that could make you some cash? To encourage and support local enterprise, we are offering stall tables on a donation basis only - no set stall fee - just a small securing deposit which can be refunded, or topped up, on the day. Ring us now to book your place on 071 9639268, or email enquiries@cruachanai.com

Pride of Roscommon
Schools Poster Competition
26th June · 1.30 - 2pm

Results & Prizes will be announced and awarded at 1.30pm on Sunday 26th June, in Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon.
Families Welcome!

Medieval Tulsk Family Fun Day
Sunday 26th June · Programmed events from 2pm to 5pm
Location: O'Connor's Parkland, Beside Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre

• Birds of Prey - flying shows from 2pm -4pm
• Medieval pottery displays and kids workshops
• Leather crafts display and demos
• Medieval foods display and demos
• Wandering Medieval Juggler/Magician
• Costumed storytellers and drumming, from 2pm -5pm
• Archery displays and ‘have a go’ archery
• Battle re-enactments, 2pm and 4pm, plus display and demo
• Children’s Battle training and drill from 2.30pm, demo at 3pm
• Costumed Face painters
• Napoleonic costume and musketry displays and demo

Full Programme TBA

REGULAR EVENTS

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12.noon.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Second Wednesday of every month – Writers Club in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12 noon.
June 8th

Angel Therapy Course

2011-05-24T16:17:00.001+01:00

First class begins: June 3rd, 8pm – 10pm

Run over a 5 week period and covering all the major questions you may have with regard to Psychic, Spiritual and Angelic development, in an honest and easy to understand manner. The course is run by a natural born healer and psychic who has been qualified in the fields of Integrated Energy Therapy, Magical Angel Therapies, Mediumship, and Angel Counseling.

Course content includes introductions to: Know thyself through meditations, Grounding and protection, Understanding Auras and Chakras, Crystals and Card readings, Healing and personal Angels, Spirit guides, Mediumship, plus lots more fun spiritual stuff… all questions will be answered!

To book your place, call Caroline on 0894549087

May Events

2011-05-09T16:15:00.005+01:00

This month at Cruachan Aí we have a great range of interesting and good value activities on offer!

Kids Warrior Workshop - Saturday 7th May, and Saturday 28th May, 2pm to 5pm, part of Rathcroghan Living History Club programme. Meet the warriors from Roscommon Lamb Festival, learn about historical weapons and armour, and how to fight like they do! €4 per child.

New Walking Club - Meet at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Sunday mornings, 10am, for a gentle 5km route on back lanes around Tulsk. Family friendly, suitable for all ages - get fit, enjoy the area, and get a relaxing social walk in good company. Free Guided Walks available once a month: spot the local interest features you never even knew were there!

Irish Gods and Goddesses - Adult Education Talk with author Lora O’Brien, Thursday 26th May, 8pm to 9.30pm. Cost is €4 per person, includes free tea/coffee.

Kids Pottery Workshop – Saturday 4th June, part of Rathcroghan Living History Club programme. Learn how to make Medieval Pottery that you can use at home! Part 1 of 2. More details to be confirmed.

REGULAR EVENTS

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12.noon.
May 5, 12, 19, 26

Second Wednesday of every month – Writers Club in Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, 10am to 12 noon.
May 11

April Events In Roscommon

2011-04-02T14:13:00.004+01:00

This month there is plenty of activities for everyone! Whether you are part of a group, a family, young or old you will always find something to do in your local area:

Western Alzheimers Association Tea Day in Coffee @ Keoghs, Wednesday Afternoon, 6th April

New Walking Club! - Meets at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk, Sunday mornings, 10am, for a gentle 5km route on back lanes around Tulsk. Family friendly, suitable for all ages - get fit, enjoy the area, and get a relaxing social walk in good company. Free Guided Walk to kick us off: spot the local interest sites and features you never even knew were there!
Guided Walk is on Sunday 10th April, meet at Cruachan Aí Centre, 10am. (Thanks to Bernadette D'Alton of Cruachan Aí).

Stone Wall Workshop - Build a stone flowerbed for your garden! Half day workshop with Andy Rimmer. Saturday 16th April at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk. 9.30am - 12.30 pm, Cost is €20 per person, materials included.

Children's Easter Workshop - Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk, Saturday 16th April, 2pm to 4.30pm. Cost is just €4 per child, or special offer €10 Family Ticket.

Try the Children's Living History Club for FREE - Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk, Begins Tuesday 19th April, 4pm to 5.30pm, with a free session to start you off. Weekly club costs just €3 per child, family discounts available. Kids explore Medieval times through a series of events and workshops - food and cooking, costumes, crafts, music, warrior training and lots more!

Adult Education Talk - Thursday 21st April, 8 to 9.30pm, Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk. Cost is €4 per person, includes free tea/coffee.

Music @ Keoghs - Rudhan Mew will play on Friday evening, 29th April, 7-9pm in Coffee @ Keoghs

Regular Events in Tulsk:

Every Tuesday Morning - Irish Conversation social meets in Coffee@Keoghs. 11am to 12.
April 5, 12, 19, 26

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Centre, 10am to 12.
April 7, 14, 21, 28

Second Wednesday of every month – Writers Club in Cruachan Ai Centre, 10am to 12.
April 13

Last Wed of every month – Irish Conversation social meets in Tulsk Inn, 7pm to 8.
April 27

Patchwork Workshops with Beatrice Egan. Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk, running 4 more weeks, every Saturday 2pm to 4pm. Cost is €7 per person, includes all materials and tea/coffee.

St Patricks Day Recipes

2011-03-04T17:01:00.004Z

Irish Food Traditions

Since St Patrick himself traipsed around the country there has been arguments about traditional Irish food.

St Patrick didn’t partake of potatoes as the Americas hadn’t been visited nor did he dye his beer green as far as we know, but what he did have was a wide selection of gorgeous, fresh, tasty food to choose from.

One dish which is always mentioned is watercress soup. St Patrick apparently loved watercress soup which by fortunate chance is green. A perfect start to your St Patricks Day feast.

Watercress Soup, serves 6
 3 tblsps butter
 1 1/4 cups potatoes, peeled and chopped
 1 1/4 cups finely chopped onion
 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
 2 1/2 cups whole milk
 2 bunches of chopped watercress having removed the coarse stalks
 Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Method:

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan. When melted, add the potatoes and onions and toss until well coated. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper. Cover and sweat on a low heat for 10 mins. Add the stock and the milk, bring to a the boil and cook until the potatoes and onions are soft. Add the watercress and boil with the lid off for approximately 4 to 5 mins until the watercress is cooked. Do not overcook to keep its lovely green colour. Puree the soup. Add more salt and pepper if necessary. Throw in some shamrock shaped croutons.

Nettle soup is also traditional from an even earlier period in Irish history, the young tips of the spring nettle were beneficial and tasted good, but be careful when you pick them!

Next of course to the bacon and cabbage; this has become most definitely the chosen dish for St Patrick’s Day. Other dishes such as Irish Stew are also firm favourites.

This extract is from The Vision of Aislinge Meic Con Glinne, an 11th century text.

“One of these eight, then, was Aniér MacConglinne, a famous scholar he, with abundance of knowledge. The reason why he was called Aniér was because he would satirise and praise all. No wonder, indeed; for there had not come before him, and came not after him, one whose satire or praise was harder to bear, wherefore he was called Anéra [i.e. Non-refusal], for that there was no refusing him. …… A great longing seized the mind of the scholar, to follow poetry, and to abandon his reading. For wretched to him was his life in the shade of his studies. And he searched in his mind whither he would make his first poetical journey. The result of his search was, to go to Cathal MacFinguine, who was then on a royal progress in Íveagh of Munster. The scholar had heard that he would get plenty and enough of all kinds of whitemeats; for greedy and hungry for whitemeats was the scholar. This came into the mind of the scholar on a Saturday eve exactly, at Roscommon; for there he was pursuing his reading. Then he sold the little stock he possessed for two wheaten cakes and a slice of old bacon with a streak across its middle. These he put in his book-satchel. And on that night two pointed shoes of hide, of seven-folded dun leather, he shaped for himself.”

Pigs have formed part of the Irish diet since the Neolithic times along with milk, honey, cheese, butter, cereals and plenty of vegetables, and they are still central to it. A pig was kept for food while cattle and sheep had wool and milk to preserve them. Pigs feature in almost every old tale and travellers through Ireland in later centuries always noted the pig at the hearth. ‘The gentlemen who pay the rent’ is a common expression for pigs. There is also a tradition that they should only be slaughtered when there is an R in the month. And February and March fit the bill.

Cattle being valuable were not usually slaughtered but the practice of bleeding cattle and mixing the blood with milk, grain and butter was common feature of fair and festival days. Black pudding, made from blood, grain (usually barley) and seasoning remains a breakfast staple in Ireland. William Wilde, Oscar’s father and a Roscommon man, remembers Rathcroghan being ‘reddened with the blood thus drawn upon a May morning. Crowds of locals would then gather round turf fires and cook the blood mixed with oatmeal and onion.’ (William Wilde, Popular Superstitions. 1852.)

The potato was introduced to Ireland by the same man who brought us tobacco, Walter Raleigh first grew potatoes on his estates in Cork but they were not widely used until the 17th century. They rapidly became the staple diet of the Irish people as the land was taken from them and they only had rough land to cultivate. The potato grows well on bad land. The Irish were the first Europeans to use the potato as a staple food.

The bacon and the cabbage are boiled together, the cabbage only going in at the last, and the potatoes cooked separately in their skins. This is served with mustard and sometimes a white sauce with parsley is an accompaniment. More modern times have seen brown sauce join the gang but always there is butter.

The sweet thing at the end of the meal should by right of ancient usage be made with honey. Honey, butter and salt were the always part of an ancient feast. Honey for the mead, honey with the apples and even honey with the meat. Honey roast ham is not a modern invention.

Almost all Celtic countries have a dessert that's a variation of this: cream, oatmeal, honey, nuts and whiskey.

This is called Cranachan
 1/3 cup / 50g flaked almonds
 2/3 cup / 50g medium oatmeal
 1 1/4 cup / 300 ml whipping cream or double cream
 4 tblsp honey, to taste
 4 tblsp / 60ml Irish whiskey
 1 tblsp / 15ml lemon juice
Toast the almonds and oatmeal in a dry frying pan until golden.
Whip the cream in a bowl: stir in the honey and whiskey. Fold in the almonds and oatmeal, and finally the lemon juice. Fresh fruit can be used to decorate the individual desserts.

Add green food colouring to any or all of the above!

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
(Ban-ock-tee na fay-lah paw-rig ur-iv)
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Article by Bernadette D'Alton

March Events at Cruachan Aí

2011-03-03T12:31:00.014Z

Upcoming events in Roscommon for March include:

- Jewellery & Accessorizing Workshop: with Chatterbox Designs, Boyle. Tues evening, 8th March 7.30pm — 9pm. Cost is €5 per person, which includes a free Raffle ticket and tea/coffee. Have you ever wondered what accessories would look exactly right with that special occasion or favourite outfit? Now you can avail of expert advice and sharing of ideas. Bring along your favourite outfits to accessorise!

- Introduction to Archaeology: Part 2 - Talk & Presentation, with archaeologist John Sinnott on Thursday 10th Feb 8pm to 9.30. Cost is €4 per person, includes free tea/coffee.

- Children’s Workshop: Saint Patrick Talk and Crafts, Saturday 12th March 2pm — 4pm. Cost is €4 per person, with a family ticket for just €10! Includes materials & drinks. Learn the fascinating history of Patrick's influence on our local area, while engaged in arts and crafts projects relevant to St Patrick's Day.

- Patchwork Class: with Beatrice Egan, Saturday 19th March 2pm — 4pm. Cost is €7 per person, includes materials, free tea/coffee. Please bring any materials or projects you are working on, complete beginners also very welcome!

- Living History Club: for children of a primary school age. Tuesdays, 4pm — 5.30pm. €4 per child, per session, includes materials & drinks.

This is a recreational club for kids, dedicated to actively engaging local children with the heritage of Rathcroghan through historical re-enactment which will include: demonstrations by experts, hands on research, dramatic recreations, with a programme of fun, practical activities and events throughout the year. The aims are to bring heritage to life for those participating in the Living History Club, and for all those attending events which come of it. We will explore local history and heritage by learning about and creating/using for ourselves the costumes, weaponry, foods, music, art and crafts of different historical periods, and participating in community events through the year.

- Flower Essences Day Course: with Del Eagle, Saturday 26th March 10am—4pm . €50 per person, includes tea/coffee.

Have you experienced fear, stress, lack of confidence, difficulty sleeping, anxiety about exams ?

Bach Flower Essences are a very simple method of healing. They work in a gentle and subtle way to help us cope with the emotional states encountered in our daily lives. Anxiety, fear, guilt, insecurity and many other emotional issues can be greatly helped with this gentle method of healing.

Come along to Cruachan Ai on Saturday 26th have a chat, and discover for yourself the 38 Bach Flower remedies - including Five Flower, the 'Rescue Remedy' - which can help you with these issues, and many more. Learn how to use the remedies & select your own remedies, and as an optional extra, you can receive your own personalised and professionally crafted remedy mix at a special 1 day promotion price.

BOOKING NECESSARY: Please book your place with a €20 deposit at Cruachan Ai, before 20th March. By post, send a cheque or postal order made payable to 'Del Eagle' to us at Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, Tulsk, Co Roscommon. Don't forget to include your name and phone number, and an email address if possible.

Del Eagle trained with the well known author & founder of 'Healing Herbs' Bach Essences, Julian Barnard, at his centre, near Abergavenny, South Wales. For the past number of years, she has been helping many individuals discover the subtle but powerful ways Bach Essences work.

REGULAR EVENTS

Every Tuesday Morning - Irish Conversation social meets in Coffee@Keoghs. 11am to 12.
March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th.

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Centre, 10am to 12.
March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st.

Second Wednesday of every month – Writers Club in Cruachan Ai Centre, 10am to 12.
March 9th.

Last Wed of every month – Irish Conversation social meets in Tulsk Inn, 7pm to 8.
March 30th.

February Events in Roscommon

2011-01-28T12:03:00.009Z

Brigid’s Cross Making Workshop – Tuesday 1st Feb in Cruachan Aí Centre, 4pm – 5. Family friendly activity! Cost is €4 per person, includes materials, Family ticket just €10.

Story of the Cross - A pagan chieftain from the neighbourhood of Kildare was dying. Christians in his household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she arrived, the chieftain was raving. As it was impossible to instruct this delirious man, hopes for his conversion seemed doubtful. Brigid sat down at his bedside and began consoling him. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked, his delirium quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted and was baptized at the point of death. Since then, the cross of rushes has been venerated in Ireland.

Imbolg Candlelight Procession on Rathcroghan – Tuesday 1st Feb, meet at Rathcroghan Car Park, 7pm - 8. Family friendly activity! No charge.

Connect to Ireland's ancient past - Walk where your ancestors walked, honouring the anceint Springtime festival of lights.

St. Brigid, and the Celtic Goddess Brighid, Talk and Presentation with Bernadette D’Alton – Wednesday 2nd February, 8pm – 9.30. Cost is €4 per person, includes free tea/coffee.

Part of the Adult Education Programme 2011

Coffee Morning in Aid of National Rehabilitation Centre, Dun Laoghaire, in Coffee@Keoghs – Saturday 5th Feb, starts 10.30am. For further info please call Katherine 086 1733914

If you know of someone who has benefitted from the excellent services of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, please support this worthy event.

Valentine’s Card Making Workshop – Saturday 12th Feb in Cruachan Aí Centre, 2pm to 4. Cost is €8 per person, includes materials.

What better way to say "I Love You" than with a personalised, handmade Valentine's Card?

Traditional Skills Weekend Workshop – Dry Stone Walls Technique and Practice, with local craftsman Andy Rimmer. Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th February, meet at Cruachan Aí Centre. Cost is €75 per day (discounts available, please enquire at Cruachan Aí)

Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, has organized a series of workshops which take care of the local landscape and farming community, while offering participants a true connection to Irish heritage, and learning of traditional crafts and skills.

First in the series is the Dry Stone Walls workshop, running from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th February. You can be collected from the local airport, bus or train station on Friday evening, accommodated in a self catering cottage in the Medieval village of Tulsk, and on Saturday and Sunday you learn how to build and repair stone walls in the traditional Irish way, under the expert tuition of a local master craftsman.

Why is it different from other traditional skills offerings? Because the workshop is put to sound practical use on a local level, preparing and building stone walls for local farmers, who may otherwise have chosen not to rejuvenate the heritage feature, so integrally iconic to the west of Ireland. Or worse – to replace with modern fencing.

Options to build your ideal weekend package (per person):
• Basic Tuition (Sat 19th and Sun 20th Feb) €75 per day. (30% discount if you book in January!)

• Collection from local bus, train or airport €15-€40, return trip
• Accommodation (self catering) from €25 per night
• Catering, 3 meals per day, €25 per day

As a bonus, participants and their families get to explore the legendary Rathcroghan, the seat of Royalty in the West of Ireland for nearly 2000 years. When you sign up for the weekend workshop, you can explore Irish history through the ages: walk the land of Celtic Warrior Queen Maeve, see where the great bulls fought their epic battle in the Cattle Raid of Cooley, follow the Druid’s quest for knowledge to the sacred triple spring of healing, stand where the gaelic kings stood to fight invading tyranny and receive their rightful crowns.

More information and feedback on the Facebook Events Listing

Introduction to Archaeology Talk & Presentation, with John Sinnott - Thursday 24th Feb in Cruachan Aí Centre, 8pm to 9.30. Cost is €4 per person, includes free tea/coffee.

Part of the Adult Education Programme 2011

REGULAR EVENTS

Every Tuesday Morning - Irish Conversation social meets in Coffee@Keoghs. 11am to 12.
Feb 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd

Every Thursday Morning - Cruachan Crafters in Cruachan Aí Centre, 10am to 12.
Feb 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

Second Wednesday of every month – Writers Club in Cruachan Ai Centre, 10am to 12.
Feb 9th

Last Wednesday of every month – Irish Conversation social meets in Tulsk Inn, 7pm to 8.
Feb 23rd

Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre 071 9639268
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Heritage Council cuts mean no Living History Club funding in 2011

2010-12-14T15:04:00.002Z

PRESS RELEASE FROM HERITAGE COUNCIL OF IRELAND

IRELAND’S HERITAGE SECTOR DECIMATED BY PUNITIVE BUDGET CUTS
HERITAGE COUNCIL WARNS OF JOB LOSSES & TOURISM SETBACK
Monday 13th December: Punitive cuts, announced in last Tuesday’s Budget, will decimate the heritage sector and close many small enterprises that are dependent on it. This will have detrimental affects on both our national heritage and the quality of our tourism offering, according to the Heritage Council.

The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s Heritage Unit, which has responsibility for protected structures, including world heritage sites, suffered a 77% budget cut. National Parks and Wildlife, whose remit includes the protection of our natural heritage and running all our national parks, suffered a 56% cut. The Heritage Council, whose role is to protect, preserve and enhance Ireland’s national heritage, suffered a 47% cut. This is on top of a 30% cut in 2010.
Speaking about the situation, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Michael Starrett commented, ‚We are extremely concerned about the disproportionate nature of the cuts to the Heritage sector. While the heritage sector recognises that it must share the burden of the cuts required to tackle the country’s economic crisis, the cuts announced last Tuesday are completely disproportionate in comparison to other Departmental cuts. As a result, the future of heritage initiatives nationwide which have created hundreds of jobs, empowered local communities and enhanced the value of heritage as a tourism resource, are severely threatened".

In 2009, over three million overseas visitors engaged in cultural/historical visits while in Ireland, and spent an estimated €1.9 billion while here. In particular, 76% of tourists identified landscape and nature as the primary reason for visiting Ireland, and heritage is what defines the uniqueness of a country. Funding will now no longer be available to protect and manage our iconic buildings, unique and threatened species, landscapes, cultural collections and rare artifacts, or indeed to support local communities in taking care of their everyday heritage‛.

The majority of counties in Ireland have a County Heritage Plan which is prepared by Local Heritage Fora on behalf of the local people and the Local Authority. Research conducted in September 2010 by economist Jim Power examined the economic value of these County Heritage Plans. The implementation of these plans between 2004 and 2008 at a cost of € 6.15m supported the creation of 1,012 full-time jobs in small businesses across the regions, with an estimated return of €30.1 million to the economy. Between 2004 and 2008, the €6.15m that the Heritage Council invested over 26 local authority areas led to an additional investment of around €10 million from other sources.

Looking at the economic impact of an event such as the Irish Walled Towns Day held in Youghal during National Heritage Week, KPMG analysts found that support
of €16,000 to the Irish Walled Towns Network for the day brought a return of €480,000 in to the local economy.

Our shared heritage is the country’s inheritance that we only get to borrow for a time, enjoy, and benefit enormously from but we have an obligation as a people to pass it on to future generations, Mr. Starrett said. These punitive cuts put at risk, not just jobs which are critically important, but also vulnerable aspects of the nation’s unique natural and cultural heritage which now may be lost for ever to the country.

At this point, the day to day implications of the cuts are hard to fully estimate. What is clear from the Heritage Council’s standing is that we will no longer be in a position to provide support for local community groups, non-governmental organisations, charities, individuals, small businesses, local authorities and others. This will make it extremely difficult for the survival of the wider heritage profession of conservators, thatchers, ecologists, archaeologists, conservation architects, museum curators and other specialist work such as researchers and data collectors.

We cannot talk about the importance of marketing our heritage and promoting tourism if we cut the funding to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for our heritage. The reality is that these unique heritage skills may now be lost to the nation along with the heritage assets and memory that these represent. We will all be poorer economically, environmentally and socially as a result‛, added Mr. Starrett.

Media Queries:
Michelle Guinan, MKC Communications 01 7038604 / 086 3846630
Isabell Smyth, Heritage Council, 0879676889

Note to editor:
·In 2009 €114,000 was offered to 19 building conservation projects. Each grant required at least as much money again to be expended on the project (50% match funding). This represents a minimum two-times multiplier for the spend from the public purse. These grants resulted in the direct employment of at least 5 people per year.
·In 2010 a total of €600,000 was spent on conservation works to significant churches and cathedrals of all denominations. This single scheme created direct employment for 16 people.
·Conservation works to our historic walled town defences (such as in Kilkenny, Cashel, Drogheda, Dublin city, Wexford) ,will be scaled back with the loss of 25 contracting and supervisory jobs.
·A cessation in grants to historic buildings and thatched houses will see this iconic vernacular architecture put at risk and the loss of highly skilled thatchers.
·The Irish Strategic Archaeological Research Programme allocated €2 million to advanced collaborative research in 2008-10. External review considered this scheme to be ‘a spectacular success and a model for other countries to follow’. This created research posts for 25 young researchers making sense of the vast amounts of archaeological information generated during the recent boom. The survival of this scheme is now questionable.

The Heritage Council is the statutory body charged with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland’s national heritage. National heritage includes Monuments, Archaeological objects, Heritage objects, Architectural heritage, Flora, Fauna, Wildlife habitats, Landscapes, Seascapes, Wrecks, Geology, Heritage gardens and parks, and Inland waterways.

Established under the Heritage Act 1995, and operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Heritage Council provides advice to the Minister, and partners and networks with Local Authorities and a wide range of other organisations and individuals to promote Ireland’s heritage.

Isabell Smyth
Head of Communications & Education
The Heritage Council
Áras na hOidhreachta
Church Lane
Kilkenny
Ireland
T. + 353 (0) 56 777 0777
F + 353 (0) 56 777 0788
E ismyth@heritagecouncil.ie
Web www.heritagecouncil.ie

Solstice Craft Fair 2010

2010-11-30T12:54:00.005Z

Talks and workshops, Art/Hand Craft Stalls, & Holistic Therapies - in association with the Cruachan Crafters. Relax, de-stress, and pick up your Christmas shopping in a convenient location. Unique gifts for all the family!

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December, 12 to 6pm
Cruachan Ai Centre, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon
Indoor Fair, but dress for the cold!

Have you an art or craft hobby that could make you some cash? To encourage and support local enterprise, we are offering stall tables on a donation basis only - no set stall fee - just a €20 securing deposit which is refundable on the day. Ring us now to book your place on 071 9639268 or email Enquiries@cruachanai.com

Tables are available (first come first served) but bring your own if you have them!

Bats at Cruachan Aí

2010-11-24T15:18:00.010Z

Environmental education and biodiversity conservation is very important to us at Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, so we are delighted to present to you - pictures of our very own bats!

We have a colony of bats in our attic, who feed over the river and in the surrounding fields every evening. We often have to rescue the babies who get lost along the way!

Facts about Bats:

Bats are mammals. This means that they are covered in fur, they have warm blood, they give birth (rather than laying eggs) and they suckle their babies with milk.

There are over 1,000 species of bat worldwide, all in the Order Chiroptera. The greatest diversity of bat species is found in warm equatorial areas where there are fruit-, fish-, insect-, pollen- and even frog-eating types.

In Ireland we have nine species confirmed as residents, all of which belong to the bat Sub-order Microchiroptera. All of the Irish bat species consume only insects and the nine residents belong to two Families – the Vespertilionidae (with eight species) and the Rhinolophidae (with one species).

Source: Bat Conservation Ireland

Suggestions for kids and parents to explore Bats further:

Bat Art! Go to Bat Activities & Colouring

Complete a Bat WebQuest. Adapt or follow the instructions found at - Bat Quest: In Search of Stellaluna by D. Von Feldt-Vo (Grades 2-3)

Write some Bat poetry or stories. You can find some excellent writing help at Poetry Teachers and Chris Thompson's Website

Build a Bat House. Bat populations are declining at an alarming level. Help preserve these important animals, enabling biodiversity conservation and environmental education by observing your own bats in their very own bat box! Start here - Build-a-Bat-Box

Create a Bat Conservation Poster. Help save bats by creating an eye-catching poster that promotes the protection and better understanding of bats.

Let us know how you get on!

Living History Club

2010-07-21T16:07:00.003+01:00

The Living History Club has once again begun at Cruachan Aí. The second installment based around Iron Age Ireland, the Táin and Queen Maeve, got underway on Tuesday and will continue each Tuesday afternoon at four o clock. This term will culminate in our Samhain Fire Festival at Rathcroghan, where the kids will do a dramatic retelling of the Táin. The living history club is open to all children of primary school age: 5-12 and registration will be happening for the next two weeks. Price for the full term is €40.

Progress reports and pictures of how the kids are doing will follow.

Featured on RTE's Nationwide

2010-05-20T13:25:00.002+01:00

Nationwide aired a programme entitled "Roscommon Special" on Wednesday 19th May 2010, featuring the Rathcroghan Royal Complex and Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre.

You can see it on the RTE player HERE .

Medieval Midsummer in Tulsk

2010-05-20T13:15:00.004+01:00

The annual Cruachan School will bring Connacht’s heritage, and the valuable work of the Discovery Programme (Ireland’s Archaeological Research Institute), to life in 2010; with a Cultural Tourism event happening in Co Roscommon, “Medieval Midsummer in Tulsk”.

With a day of academic lectures presented by top experts and professionals, who will explore the Medieval history, archaeology, and heritage of Ireland, on the Saturday (19th June), and a Living History Festival to include live battle re-enactment, authentic foods, archery, costumes and medieval pottery exhibitions on the Sunday (20th June); this promises to be a fun and fact-filled weekend which the entire family can enjoy.

Special Events include showcasing the work and talents of the Rathcroghan Living History Children's Club! The epic struggle and rivalry between the Gaelic McDermott and O'Conor clans will be settled, once and for all!

See this Event on Facebook!

Discover Ireland Promotion of Medieval Midsummer in Tulsk!

Join us on Facebook!

2010-03-26T14:43:00.005Z

Keep up to date with our events listings by becoming a fan on our facebook page. You will also find interesting discussions, and information about Rathcroghan, Queen Maeve, and the Medieval village of Tulsk.

Click Here!

Postal Packs Special Offers!

2010-03-08T12:42:00.005Z

Just Email us on Enquiries@cruachanai.com with details of:
~ Which offer you would like (Postal Pack 1, 2, or 3)
~ Your Name and Postal Address
~ Your Email Address

Postal Pack 1:
~ Rathcroghan Series Postcards, set of 7 significant and beautiful pictures printed as quality postcards
~ Heritage Guide No. 44 - Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon (where the Táin Bó Cúailnge began) (text by Prof. John Waddell)

Usual Price: €9.20
Postal Pack Offer Price: €8.50 (P&P only €1.50) ==> €10.00

Postal Pack 2:~ Rathcroghan Series Postcards, set of 7 significant and beautiful pictures printed as quality postcards
~ Heritage Guide No. 44 - Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon (where the Táin Bó Cúailnge began) (text by Prof. John Waddell)
PLUS
"Rathcroghan and Carnfree, Celtic Royal Sites in Roscommon". A5 size, 40 page book by Michael Herity, beautifully illustrated with maps and photographs throughout.

Usual Price: €20.90
Postal Pack Offer Price: €17.50 (P&P only €2.50) ==> €20.00

Postal Pack 3:
~ Rathcroghan Series Postcards, set of 7 significant and beautiful pictures printed as quality postcards
~ Heritage Guide No. 44 - Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon (where the Táin Bó Cúailnge began) (text by Prof. John Waddell)
~ "Rathcroghan: Archaeological and Geophysical survey in a Ritual Landscape". Large, Hardback book by Prof. John Waddell, Joseph Fenwick, and Kevin Barton, released June 2009 - beautifully illustrated with maps and photographs throughout.

Usual Price: €54.20
Postal Pack Offer Price: €50.50 (P&P €9.50) ==> €60.00

(Postal Pack options available at these prices within Ireland only. International postage will incur reasonable extra costs!)

New Additions at Cruachan Ai!

2009-08-18T12:22:00.005+01:00

Ducks on Bridge at Cruachan Ai Heritage Center, County Roscommon, Ireland

We have some friendly new additions to the Cruachan Ai team! These beautiful ducks have moved onto the Ogulla river where it flows through Tulsk Village. Bring the kids along to feed them, while you relaxe. You can have a chat, drink some fresh ground coffee or quality tea, browse the net using the free WiFi connection, or read a great book you can purchase from our well stocked Book & Craft shop!

New Book on Rathcroghan!

2009-08-11T14:17:00.006+01:00

"Rathcroghan: Archaeological and geophysical survey in a Ritual Landscape"
by John Waddell, Joseph Fenwick, and Kevin Barton.
Published by Wordwell Ltd, Ireland. 2009. (ISBN 9 781905 569311)

Rathcroghan (Crúachain) is often referred to as both a 'Celtic' Royal Settlement and a sacred burial place; it is one of several major royal sites in ancient Ireland, such as Tara, Co. Meath, Knockaulin, Co. Kildare, and Navan Fort near Armagh, that are frequently mentioned in early literature. While these sites had special importance in early historic times, and in some cases bore and extraordinary weight of myth and legend, we now know that they are older archaeological assemblages of impressive complexity and size.

This book is the result of a major programme of archaeological field research at Rathcroghan in County roscommon in the West of Ireland. The project involved the use of a range of geophysical techniques to explore a number of extraordinary monuments in the Royal Site.

Professor John Waddell, Opening Speech at the Launch of Rathcroghan Book

The book was launched on 22nd July in the Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, in conjunction with NUI Galway and Roscommon County Council, to an excellent turn out. Speeches by the authors, Kieran O'Conor of NUIG, and the County Manager Mr. Frank Dawson, proclaimed this site to be Roscommon richest Resource, and equally the equivalent in status and importance of Tara, due to preservation levels and longevity of occupation. Signed copies are available to purchase in the Cruachan Ai Craft & Book Shop, or can be purchased directly from the publishers, Please Click This Link to Go to the Wordwell Website

Discovery Programme 2009 Dig

2009-08-11T12:55:00.006+01:00

The DP were in residence from May to July this season, for their last year at Tulsk. Archaeological research conducted by the Discovery Programme, Ireland’s archaeological research institute funded by the Heritage Council, has been examining the nature of Gaelic lordship and settlement in north Roscommon during the later medieval period, c. 1170-1650 AD. Since 2003, elements of this work have focussed on the history and development of Tulsk, as the principal residence of the O’Conor Roe lords. Excavation on the ringfort in Tulsk village has revealed a sequence of unexpected and complex settlement horizons, which include a medieval castle-building phase and an Elizabethan-period (c. 1560-90s) occupation, when the mound was included as part of the works associated with the garrisoning of Tulsk by Sir Richard Bingham, ‘flail of Connacht’.

In 2009, the archaeological team has focused on a series of critical strata that explain the dating and development of the site. This year’s work considered the ringfort that underlies the medieval tower.
The work shows the impressive boulder clay bank and ditch. It also shows the levels of soil introduced at a later date to build up the ringfort into a ‘platform’ of ‘raised rath’ form, sometime before the building of the medieval tower. The recent excavation n has also revealed prehistoric levels, that extend back into the Mesolithic period, before the time of farming and when hunting and gathering prevailed. The sequence of levels reveals the degree to which the medieval lords attached value to returning to known sites of habitation.

Student volunteers from Ireland and from around the world have contributed to the success of the excavation project, and publications are expected to begin next year.

Pricing

2009-04-16T15:42:00.004+01:00

Weekend Rate, Sat 25th and Sun 26th: - €140.00

Saturday Lectures: €20.00 per talk, Day ticket €90.00
Sunday Events: Living History Fair, gates open 11am to 6pm
Adults €15.00, Children €9.00, Family Ticket €40.00

Local Community Concession Rates

Weekend Rate, Sat 25th and Sun 26th: - €70.00

Saturday Lectures: €10.00 per talk, Day ticket €45.00
Sunday Events: Living History Fair, gates open 11am to 6pm
Adults €7.00, Children €4.00, Family Ticket €20

Schedule, Sat 25th

2009-04-16T15:35:00.001+01:00

Saturday 25th April 2009

Ø Academic Conference. Lectures by top archaeologists, historians, and other academics/notaries, to take place in Cruachan Aí Centre.

9am Sign in begins

10.30am ~ Kieran O’Conor, of NUI Galway; The Rock of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon

12 noon ~ Brian Shanahan, of the Discovery Programme; 'Royal Sites' - Origin, Myths & the Gaelic Kingship of Connacht

2pm ~ Dr. Niall Brady, of the Discovery Programme; Medieval Rural Settlement Project Director

3pm ~ Gillian Kenny, of UCD; Women and War in Medieval Ireland

5pm ~ Denise Murray, of UCC; Legislated Anglicisation and The Composition of Connacht

All talks are approx 1 hour long

Google Map of Event Site for Sunday

2009-04-14T17:13:00.002+01:00

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114948176945519923110.0004670d9df5c155320ff&ll=53.778886,-8.251998&spn=0.002859,0.006824&t=h&z=17

Tulsk Festival Brochure Page 1

2009-04-14T14:16:00.002+01:00

Tulsk Festival Brochure Page 2

2009-04-14T13:52:00.004+01:00

Celebrating Medieval Ireland in Tulsk

2009-04-09T13:52:00.005+01:00

Sat 25th & Sun 26th April 2009

The Cruachan School is an annual event which aims to promote and develop an increased appreciation and awareness of Ireland’s archaeological and cultural heritage environment. The theme for 2009 is

“Celebrating Medieval Ireland in Tulsk”.

Saturday 25th April 2009
Ø Academic Conference. Lectures by top archaeologists, historians, and other academics/notaries, to take place in Cruachan Aí Centre. Already confirmed are Kieran O’Conor of NUI Galway; Gillian Kenny of UCD; Dr. Niall Brady, and Brian Shanahan, of the Discovery Programme; and Denise Murray of UCC.

Sunday 26th April 2009
Ø Medieval Fair. Living History day located on green field adjacent to the Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, in Tulsk Village. To include village market, displays and demonstration including authentic cooking and lifestyle crafts, archery, recreation period costume, falconry, and military re-enactment with authentic weaponry and equipment.

Highlights
· Lectures and conferences (Saturday)
· Medieval Battle recreations (Sunday)
· Living History and Medieval Displays (Sunday)
· Falconry displays (Sunday)

This promises to be a great weekend for all the family!

Contact: Lora O’Brien, Manager
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre
Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.
Tel: 071 9639268

International Tel: 00353 71 9639268

Email: cruachanai@gmail.com
Web: http://www.cruachanai.com/
Online Diary: http://www.cruachanai.blogspot.com/

Educational Programmes 2009

2009-01-05T13:26:00.004Z

Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre provides a wide range of educational programmes designed to meet the needs of all, from those starting out to mature students.

Our Education Packs for schools, covering 1st Class to 6th yr students, comprise a number of modules, both in general and in depth, allowing students to research their own local and national history from the Mesolithic to the Late Medieval Period.

This includes materials and information as well as guided tours of the centre’s interactive exhibition, audio visual display and the mounds and earthworks which comprise this fascinating and important historical site. All of our material is aligned with the strand units of the national curriculum, and designed to enable the necessary skills and concepts development, for maximum ease and convenience of teachers.

We also provide classroom visits with various artefacts, slide shows, costumes and storytelling for younger classes.

Xmas Party 2008

2008-12-12T14:08:00.003Z

Pictured at the Staff Xmas Party!

Party Night in Hannon's Hotel, Roscommon, with Mike Denver.

L-R: Pauline Cogan, Admin. Mike Denver, Super Star. Lora O'Brien, Manager. Mary McGann, Hygiene Services. Bernadette D'Alton, Information Officer.

Arts Evening - featuring Cathy Carman & Kieran Furey

2008-12-12T14:04:00.002Z

Cruachan Aí Centre, Tulsk, Co Roscommon
presents the first in a monthly series of Arts Evenings

From 5pm to 8pm, on Thurs 18th December 2008
Wine Reception, Art Exhibition, with Poetry Reading (at 7pm) in the Coffee House @ Cruachan Aí

Featuring

Exhibition Opening: Works from The Nine Icons of Oweynagat, by Cathy Carman
Literary Reading: Excerpts from The History House, by Kieran Furey

The Nine Icons of Oweynagat, by Cathy Carman

Oweynagat is a modified limestone cave said to be an entrance to the Otherworld, with associations to fertility and rebirth. The work in this exhibition is based on photographs I took in the Cave of the Cats, Uaimh na gCait. The nine icons gather up the cave’s mystical and psychic energy, while the photographs examine the same space from an empirical point of view.

Cathy Carman is an artist and sculptor who is widely acclaimed for figurative work in wood, stone and bronze; while more recent projects using digital imaging, natural materials, found objects, and sound. She is currently developing artwork as a response to the rural landscape and our emotional connection to it. This combines digital print and mixed media, in a form that embraces both sculpture and print. A member of the Arts Council’s Aosdana, and represented by Hillsborough Fine Art Gallery in Dublin; she continues to exhibit regularly both nationally, and internationally.

The History House, by Kieran Furey

A collection of poems centered on Strokestown House and the Irish Famine, but drawing also on life in modern Ireland; as well as on the poet's experiences of Africa, India and Latin America.

Kieran Furey was born in county Roscommon, and has been writing poetry, with a little prose, for three decades. Having spent his life between rural Ireland, provincial Irish towns, Dublin, and abroad - in Latin America, Africa, India, Greece, the UK and the United States - he now lives in Longford, with his wife and son. Kieran’s first book, Nobody's Neighbours, was published by Veritas in Dublin in 1979. He went on to self-publish twenty books or booklets of poetry, short stories, travel experiences and humour, and his work has featured in Irish and international media. Prizes include the overall Poem of Europe Award in the 2006 Feile Filiochta, and the Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award (Traditional Category).

~~~

All featured works are available to buy at the Cruachan Aí Centre, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon.

http://www.cruachanai.blogspot.com/ Tel: 071 9639268 Email: cruachanai@gmail.com

Coffee Morning in Aid of Self Help Africa

2008-11-13T16:38:00.001Z

In conjunction with the re-launch of the
Coffee House @ Cruachan Aí
in Tulsk, Co Roscommon

We are pleased to announce a Coffee Morning, in aid of SELF HELP AFRICA.

On Friday morning, 21st November, from 10am til 2pm, all coffee proceeds will go to the Self Help Africa fund raising campaign (www.selfhelpafrica.com) to contribute towards the county target of €35,000.

There will be reading from selected works of local writers and poets at 12 noon.

Irish Times article

2008-09-09T17:44:00.003+01:00

This is a good article from last year, sourced from a Medieval resource blog...

Layers of history at medieval site.
31 August 2007
Irish Times

Excavations at the remains of a medieval castle in Tulsk, Co Roscommon, have unearthed the castle latrine and a pair of dice made out of antler or bone about 500 years ago, writes Marese McDonagh.

Archaeologists have uncovered layers of history at the site, including part of a tower house castle and a 16th century military structure linked to the notorious Sir Richard Bingham, who was governor of Connacht during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I at the end of the 1500s. According to Dr Niall Brady, who led the Discovery Programme project, the finds will provide valuable insight into the lives of Gaelic chieftains and their households during the late medieval period, a facet of Irish history which he feels has been largely ignored.

Excavation at the ring fort in Tulsk began in 2004 and a series of summer digs have taken place since then, with this year's yielding a number of significant finds, including two ring pins, possibly used as clasps for cloaks, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Tulsk was the base of the O'Conor Roe chieftains and the discovery of part of a medieval castle is regarded as a milestone in the search for more information about rural areas which were controlled by chieftains and not by the British crown from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The finds connected with Bingham, who was known as "the flail of Connacht", were a "bonus", as they had not been expected at this site, according to Dr Brady. "We found musket shot, English coins, iron arrowheads, evidence of the presence of soldiers which had nothing to do with domesticity," he pointed out.

The archaeologists believe that the tower house castle was in ruins by the time of Bingham's reign as governor of Connacht as several stones from the tower were reused in the 16th century buildings. Situated on top of an earthen mound or ring fort, the tower of the castle, with its commanding views over the northern approaches to Tulsk, would have represented a clear statement of the power and status of the local Gaelic lord. The excavation suggests that the tower was rebuilt a number of times right up to the late 16th century, when Tulsk was garrisoned.

Despite the persistent rain, which made the summer dig more difficult, the team managed to excavate into the ditch surrounding the castle, where they uncovered the medieval garderobe, or latrine, of the castle. Appropriately, the excavation was based beside the Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre in Tulsk, the focal point of one of the most important Celtic royal sites in Europe, with a reputed 60 national monuments within a four-mile radius. It was the seat of the kings of Connacht and is also believed to have been home to the warrior queen, Maeve, who launched the famous cattle raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúalinge) from this area. The Washington Post recently described the site as "a Machu Picchu not of stone but of thatch-covered wooden palaces when Helen of Troy was just a kid".

Dr Brady said he hoped that as the excavations ended for another year these most recent finds would reinforce the importance of Tulsk as a key heritage attraction. The ring fort site his team is exploring stands beside a site known as Castleland, where it is believed another castle was built for the O'Conors in the early 1400s.

http://medievalnews.blogspot.com/2007/09/excavations-at-medieval-castle-in-tulsk.html

Enjoy!

Open Day 2008

2008-07-23T19:01:00.001+01:00

The Discovery Programme’s fourth Open Day at the site of its primary archaeological excavations in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, will be held on Thursday 24th July from 2pm to 5pm.
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre is delighted to host Ireland’s archaeological research institute’s annual event, and help with the organization of free guided tours and access to the centre and the excavation site at Tulsk Fort.

The Discovery Programme’s work, funded by the Heritage Council, has been examining the nature of Gaelic Lordship and settlement; focussing since 2003 on the history and development of Tulsk, as a principal residence of the O’Conor Rua lords.

Their 2008 season has exposed a series of critical strata that now more fully than ever explain the dating and development of the site. This year’s work has uncovered the ring fort that underlies the medieval tower. This summer’s work has also shown that the tower was built in 3 main phases, with the earliest phase being a stout blocky squared building whose walls were 9ft thick.

On Thursday 24th, the team will be leading guided tours to the public around the excavated features, which will begin from the Cruachan Aí Centre every 45 minutes. There will also be displays of the artefacts and environmental remains which have been found.

Families, groups, and individual visitors are all very welcome. This is a free event. There will be quizzes and games for kids, and a wine reception afterwards. Please be sure to bring appropriate weather gear, in case we have a little rain on the day.

Learning Irish The Easy Way

2008-07-02T10:54:00.003+01:00

Are you interested in learning the basics of spoken Irish?

If so call along to the Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre on Wednesdays between 1pm and 2pm, where Mary Carr will be here to teach the basics of spoken Irish.

You do not need to say anything whilst there you can just listen and take in the beauty of the language and who knows after a few weeks you may find yourself recognising words and you might even feel comfortable with the spoken word yourself.

See you there.

Discovery Programme, Week 5

2008-07-02T10:02:00.003+01:00

So here we are on week five of the dig.

The discovery programme guys are up in Dublin presenting papers at the world archaeology conference and the mound is breathing a sigh of relief (but not for long) as next week sees the commencement of the second session.

Session one has uncovered yet more areas of interest including a grain drying kiln, an area covered with slag from metalworking, a potential boundary from an early christian ring fort and portions of a large decorated rotary quern stone.

If you are interested in seeing the dig in action you are most welcome to call into the Cruachan Ai visitors centre. If you would like a full run down on the dig then call over on the 24th of July.

This is the open day when tours will be taking place from 2pm. It is a great opportunity to get a full explanation of the work being carried out and the further aims of the Discovery Programme.

To all the volunteers from session one, thanks a million for your help and dedication. A sense of humour is essential when the rain is spilling from the heavens and you guys certainly made me laugh (keep singing the song Sydney).

I will endeavour to get some photos uploaded in the next few days so keep tuning in for updates.

Mike Croghan

Summer Solstice 2008

2008-06-23T16:20:00.008+01:00

Saturday 21st June, 6pm, Rathcroghan Co. Roscommon

A community celebration of the first (official!) day of Summer, hosted by the Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, took place on Saturday 21st June, the Summer Solstice.

Cruachan Aí organized a procession and Fire performance display to entertain and educate, while respecting the importance and integrity of one of the oldest and best preserved of Celtic sites in Europe.

Considering the day's rain, there was a respectable number of attendees gathered in the car park off the main N5 Tulsk to Westport road, at 6pm. Families were very welcome, and it was lovely to see the interest of so many kids and teenagers. The ages ranged from a very excited 2 year old with a disturbingly accurate talent for wielding his plastic sword (ouch!), to a rather more solemn 16 year old who graciously consented to appear in full Gaelic garb.

On this day, the daytime hours are at a maximum, and darkness is at a minimum. In times gone by, communities gathered to celebrate the sun at its strongest on this day; in the hope that the light, heat and fiery influence would spread across the land and carry on through the coming months. It is officially the first day of summer, but is referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe.

Rathcroghan main mound is considered by archaeologists to have been a major assembly point, most probably used for ceremonial purposes, and is well known as the Celtic Royal site at the heart of ancient Connaught. Midsummer is one of the four Irish Quarter days that divide the official calendar. Many towns and cities have 'Midsummer Carnivals' with fairs, concerts and fireworks either on or on the weekend nearest to Midsummer. In some rural spots, bonfires are occasionally lit on hilltops.

Of course, there were no bonfires lit on this hilltop, but the torches carried by attendees were enough to lend the energy of live fire. This was even before the fabulous addition by Fran De'Venney, in full Gaelic warrior battle dress, of the 'Faol Lia' Performing Theatre Group.

Starting in the car park, attendees processed across the ground to the sound of a walking drumbeat and the chant of Samhradh - the Irish word for Summer. After the base of the mound was encircled, we entered by the Eastern indent, and circled the hill top twice Deiseal (clockwise, or 'sunwise' in the old literature) , ending in a loose ring around the central point.

From here, with his double ended fire staff ablaze and twirling, Fran encouraged the heat and life force of the sun at its height, represented by the Fire he wields, out to each of the four Provinces of Ireland. He made reference as Gaeilge to the traditional attributes of each, according to the literary source 'The Settling of the Manor at Tara' (Prosperity to the East, Wisdom to the West, Music to the South... substituting Warrior Courage for the too oft repeated Battle, to the North), and the ideal of Sovereignty and Kingship in the Centre. As the centre is wherever you are standing, and Cruachan has long held reputation as the sacred centre for the burial and inauguration of Kings (yes, even before Tara!), this all seemed particularly appropriate. As did leaving by the Western indent, trouping past the thistles and the sheep carcass that so horrified and yet delighted the children!

It was great to see enthusiastic community participation at a time and place that would have been such an important annual focal point to our ancestors. Also great was the fact that although we were blustered at and misted on, the deluges apparent countrywide over the height of summer weekend held off long enough for us to salute the sun. Hopefully it will herald more sun to come!

THANKS TO MICHELLE, FROM THE U.S., FOR THE VIDEO FOOTAGE!

Discovery Programme 2008 Week 3

2008-06-21T11:45:00.004+01:00

What an educating week, after watching the guys getting back down to last years levels I finally got the chance to spend a week on site trowelling. The first thing I learned is that life is not always fair.

I was helping a guy called Duggan in a slot trench for a couple of days. Various layer changes were coming to light as well as a possible early christian boundary but there were no artifacts showing up in the material.

Wouldn't you know it, Duggan flew back to the States and the next day I uncovered a possible copper fastener and Jenny who was also in the trench found a really nice flint thumb scraper; hard luck Duggan, still if you had not sweated to create the trench we would not have found the artifacts.

There are a wide variety of pieces coming to light including a myriad of animal bones that were used as fill, antlers, lots of slag from an area probably used for metalworking, bone needles and buttons, coins and much much more.
Along with the artifacts building boundaries continue to be exposed, so the Discovery Programme are starting to get a really comprehensive picture of the way the building morphed over its lifetime.

Lets hope that the weather is kind to us next week and further progress is made otherwise I will be using the flooded slot trench to improve my front crawl.

Cheers for now.

Mike Croghan

Discovery Programme Week 1 Day 1

2008-06-02T12:58:00.005+01:00

So this is it. The discovery team are now removing the back fill with loving care and attention.

They are still at the stage of shovels, mattocks and wheel barrows, but the tarp that was draped over the site at the end of last season is now in view.

The weather is perfect for the job (unless you happen to be the one digger who is currently sweating Guinness), and looks set to hold for the next few days.

Stay tuned for the next update and hopefully towards the end of the week there will be photos to browse.

Enjoy the bank holiday.

Mike Croghan

Return Of The Discovery Programme

2008-05-29T14:41:00.011+01:00

Welcome back to the Discovery Programme led by Dr Niall Brady and the team.

For the past four years the DP have been unearthing a medieval tower house sited on an earlier earthwork that may be on a prehistoric horizon.

The aim of the DP is to discover more about the medieval Gaelic lordship in rural Ireland.

The team have discovered that the tower house was approximately 10 x 20 metres in size and comes after an earlier occupation of 10th to 11th century.
Several episodes of demolition and rebuilding took place over the subsequent centuries and at one stage it was occupied in the 16th century when Tulsk was garrisoned by Sir Richard Bingham ,Queen Elizabeth 1st's governor to Connacht.

Amongst other areas on the site last year the team focused heavily on the garderobe chute (the toilet), sifting and floating the "material" found to extract seeds that our ancestors had expelled.

Why the hell would you want to do that? you may ask. Well, if you can study the seeds expelled you have a good indication of the carbohydrates in the early diet. The garderobe chute was also the kitchen waste disposal so if you look at the animal bones that were thrown out you can also surmise the protein diet.

A dirty job but well worth the effort.

At the moment the guys are removing the back fill placed there at the end of last season to protect the site. Next week will see the arrival of the volunteers from all over Europe and North America so there will be a great buzz about the place.

There are two web sites I can recommend. The first is http://www.cruachanai.com/ and the second http://www.discoveryprogramme.ie/

Better still why not call into the Cruachan Ai centre for an update on the work, but please do not approach the archaeologists as they have yet to be tamed!!

Talk soon

Mike Croghan

Conference 2008 Schedule

2008-05-15T12:20:00.003+01:00

Kindly Supported by Roscommon County Council

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2008

Conference can be booked in 3 ways:
In Modules, as below,
Per day, as below,
Or
Entire Weekend, Cost: €190

Friday 16th May 2008
6pm Percy French Hotel Registration

MODULE A
7pm at the Percy French Hotel: Guests Arrive Tea & Coffee
7.30pm Cllr. Orla Leyden - Conference Opening Speech
8pm Brian Leyden - Reading from Works, Q&A

9pm Andy Gowan - Traditional Harpist
10pm Close for the night

Module A Cost: €40.00

Saturday 17th May 2008

MODULE B
10am at the Percy French Hotel: Morning Opening
10.30am Caroline Dove - Irish Traditions in Arts & Crafts
11.30am Tea/Coffee Break
12 noon John Waters - Tradition, why is it Maligned?
1pm Lunch

Module B Cost: €40.00

MODULE C
2pm from the Percy French Hotel: Bus to Cruachan Aí
2.30pm at Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre: Lora O'Brien Welcome Address
3pm Colmán Ó Raghallaigh - Re-discovering the Táin
4pm O'Neill's Café Tea/Coffee Break
4.30pm Dónall Mac Aodha - Promoting the Irish language
5.30pm from Cruachan Aí Centre: Bus to Percy French Hotel

Module C Cost: €40.00

MODULE D
6pm at the Percy French Hotel: Kelly Fitzgerald MA - Meadhbh and the Young Warrior
7pm at the Percy French Hotel: Dinner
8.30pm Caroline Madigan - After Dinner Speaker
9.15pm Trad Music Session - George Eggleston & Andy Gowan
10pm Close for the night

Module D Cost: €40.00
Saturday, Entire Day Cost: €105.00

Sunday 18th May 2008

MODULE E
10am at the Percy French Hotel: Morning Opening
10.30am Cllr. Sean Beirne - Songs and Stories of Percy French
11.30am Tulsk Action Group - Presentations, Thanks
12 noon from the Percy French Hotel: Bus to Douglas Hyde Centre
12.45am at the D Hyde Centre Deirdre O'Gara - Douglas Hyde Centre Tour
1.30pm from the D Hyde Centre: Bus to Cruachan Aí/Percy French Hotel

Module E Cost: €40

Module F is an optional extra for adults – an example of workshops designed for children and attended by local community and schools – to provide the opportunity to observe first hand ‘inspiration’ of the next generation.

MODULE F
2pm at Cruachan Aí Centre: Buffet Lunch
3pm Liam Farrell - "How to Get Started in Writing"

4.30pm Catherine Simon - "Drama for Fun"
Both Workshops most suitable for Ages 10-15
6pm Manager Conference Close

Module F Cost: €40.00
Sunday, Entire Day Cost: €75.00

If you would like any more information on the Cruachan School, please phone us on

071 9639268, or email cruachanai@gmail.com for booking form.
Contact: Lora O’Brien

The Cruachan School, Conference 2008

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Irish Culture & Heritage:
Inspiration for the Next Generation

The Cruachan School was founded following the success of the Charles O’Conor of Ballinagare International Conference. This successful event was run in 2006 by Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre in conjunction with; NUI Galway, Clonalis House, and the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon.

Following traditions established by the ancient Druid school of the Cruachan (Rathcroghan) complex, the Cruachan School aims to explore and develop all aspects of Irish culture and heritage.

Annual academic conference events will promote interest and enjoyment - both nationally and internationally - in history, Irish language, literature, mythology, folklore, archaeology, art, music, drama and dance.

Our 2008 Conference will be held on Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, and the Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon.

There will be talks and workshops, field trips, and musical entertainment throughout the weekend. The cost is €190 for the entire weekend, including dinner on Saturday night, or bookings can be made in smaller portions; with a cost of €40 per module.

Following in the footsteps of historic Roscommon literary figures such as Douglas Hyde and Percy French, we examine how to attract and inspire our children’s love of Irish culture and heritage through literature, art, drama, and mythology; while we can observe these techniques in action with youth workshops on Sunday afternoon.

Experts in the education of Irish youth such as Kelly Fitzgerald MA (Expert in Old Irish and Literature, University College Dublin), Catherine Simon (of Roscommon Co. Youth Theatre, and National Assoc. of Youth Drama) and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh (Award winning bilingual author of children’s books and graphic novels), will explore how to inspire the next generation of Ireland with an appreciation of our heritage and culture.

For more information please email us on cruachanai@gmail.com
Or phone the Centre: 071 9639268

Local Accommodation

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Accommodation within convenient driving distance of Tulsk/Strokestown

Tulsk
Tulsk Lodge B&B Ardkeenagh, Tulsk 071 9639902 (Rooms en-suite)

Strokestown
The Percy French Hotel Bridge St Strokestown 071 9633300

Mrs A. Clyne Lakeshore Lodge Clooneen Strokestown 071 9633966
Meena Martin B&B Church Street Strokestown 071 9633247
Mary and Eamon Sheil Bawn Lodge Strokestown 071 9633124
Maura Reynolds 29 Kildallogue Heights Strokestown 071 9633722
Harriet Cox Church View House Strokestown 071 9633047
Imelda Hanley Parkowen House Strokestown 071 9633732
Breda Moran Cloonshreen Strokestown 071 9633948
Ann Clyne Lake Shore Lodge Kilglass Lake Strokestown 071 9633966
Rooaun Lodge Kilglass 071 9633174

Ballaghaderreen
Abbeyfield Hotel Ballaghaderreen 094 9862736 (70 rooms)
Into The West Frenchpark 094 9870391 (7 double rooms, all en-suite)
Durkins The Square Ballaghaderreen 094 986 0305 (14 rooms)
John Spellman Dublin Road Ballaghaderreen 094 9860180 (3 rooms)
Eden House Frenchpark 094 9870658 (2 double , 2 single rooms)
Deirdre O'Gara Ballaghaderreen 094 9870016
Chapel View B&B Cathedral Street Ballaghaderreen 087 2144196
Una Keegan Drumalassen Ballaghaderreen 094 9861393
Willowbrook Park Kittybranks, Ballaghaderreen 094 9861307 (Camping & Caravan)

Elphin
Adeline Rogers Woodlawn House Drummullin Elphin 071 9635111

Castlerea
Tully's Hotel The Square Castlerea 094 9620200
The White House Hotel Ballinlough 094 9640112
Clonalis House Castlerea 094 9640014
Rita Morgan Armcastel B& B Castlerea 094 9620117
Mrs. M. Dockery Rampark Castlerea 094 9620116
Mary Ronane Williamstown Rd Castlerea 094 9620431

Castlecoote
Castlecoote House 090 6663794

Roscommon Town
Abbey Hotel Galway Road Roscommon 090 6626240
Gleeson's Guesthouse Market Square Roscommon 090 6626954
Regan's Guesthouse Market Square Roscommon 090 6625339
The Tatler Inn Main Street Roscommon 090 6625460
The Coachman's Inn Castle Street Roscommon 090 6626459
Hillcrest B&B Racecourse Road Roscommon 090 6625201
CavRos Racecourse Road Roscommon 090 6625881
Westway Galway Road Roscommon 090 6626927
The Gardens The Walk Roscommon 090 6626828
Mollie Scally 34 Lisnamult Roscommon 090 6626980
Noelle Hynes Riverside House Circular Rd Roscommon 090 6626897
The Villa B&B Galway Road Roscommon 090 6625998
Briege O'Brien Golf Links Road Roscommon 090 6626696
Fieldston Lodge Golf Links Road Roscommon 090 6625539
Muireann Sli Golf Links Road Roscommon 090 6626696
Campbells Galway Road Roscommon 090 6626927
Mullach Lodge Galway Road Roscommon 090 6625364
Ross House 090 6628891
Oakwood 090 6637644