A Walk and Talk Around Rathcroghan Mound

As part of Heritage Week we have;  On Sunday 19th August;  A Walk And Talk Around Rathcroghan Mound by Joe Fenwick and Roseanne Schot (NUIG) Assembling at Rathcroghan / Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, Tulsk, at 2.00pm for a brief illustrated presentation prior to proceeding (By own transport) to Rathcroghan Mound car park (situated 5km west of Tulsk on the N5). Or assemble at Rathcroghan Mound car park at 3.00pm to join the Walk and Talk there. Not to be missed by anyone interested in the archaeology of this important ancient royal site. On Tuesday 21th August; Tain Tales: A Woman, A Man and A Bull Bernadette D'Alton. Presentations at 11.00am & 2.00pm at Rathcroghan / Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre. The story of the Tain, with minimal actors and props, in fact you could find yourself being Cuchulainn, Fergus or even Medb herself! A (re)telling of the story from Medb's POV. And she's ready to share.... On Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd & Friday 25th August; A Walk and Talk about Oweynagat Cave Gary Dempsey will take a guided tour to the Otherworld. The archaeology, history and mythology of this fascinating site. Bring a change of clothes (only joking  [maybe]). Starts at Rathcroghan / Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre on these days at 2.00pm.

Bats

I'm not sure why but we've had an explosion of bats lately. Not literally, that would be fairly gruesome but in numbers flying around and sleeping the days away in the sunny exhibition space. Vitamin D deficiency like the rest of us? We've had to assist (no contact of course) several of them to high places ready for the night time, the ones already high up can shift for themselves when the darkness comes and the place is quiet. It's nice to see them back. I'll post pictures.

Medb’s Lughnasadh Games 2012

Family Fun Day

 Sunday 29th July

 Medb’s

Lughnasadh Games

BBQ and Bouncy Castle

Live Music

Running, Jumping, Throwing

Poetry, Singing, Storytelling

Dress like a warrior.

Design your own royal standard.

Make your own medieval pots

Craft Stalls, Historical

Re-enactments, Workshops

 Entrance is Free.

We really want to mark Lughnasadh with some games this year so we're combining the summer Open Day on the 29th July with a few children's games, races and quizzes, with some dressing up and storytelling thrown in. 
Luckily we're getting together with the Tulsk Inn across the way, who will be organizing the BBQ and the Bouncy Castle for the day and also have live music in the evening so it will be a great day for all.

In Irish mythology the Lughnasadh festival is said to have been first held by Lugh, as funeral games to honour his foster-mother Tailtiu, the Fir Bolg Goddess who died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland in preparation for Agriculture.

The first location of the Aenach Tailteann gathering was at Teltown, between Navan and Kells, Co Meath. Historically this was a contest of strength and speed as well as skill and agility. The festival was a time of truce with competition on the sporting field not the battle field. The Lughnasadh Games began as early as the Bronze Age. Offerings to the God Lugh took place on hilltops like nearby Loughcrew. (These games were visited by many foreign traders wanting to sell their goods, some of these we know came from Greece. It is possible that they carried back the idea of warrior Games and so began the Olympics.) 

The festival survived as the Taillten Fair for many centuries. It was a market fair with first fruits for sale and many items made during the winter on display. Races were held, particularly horse races through the Blackwater River. It was revived for a time after Independence as the Taillten Games. 

Sometimes called the Gathering of Lugh, it coincides with the weening of lambs born at Imbolc and the shearing of sheep. It celebrates the protective power of Lugh, who presides over it and is honoured as a guardian of the wild and of cultivated crops.

 The famous Teltown Marriage also originates from this festival. These were temporary unions, in keeping with Brehon Law, that were entered into during the festival. This was done by holding hands, or handfasting, through a holed stone on the site. Some would last a day, others as long as a year and a day. These were contracts not sacraments and both had to agree to the terms. The marriage was dissolved by each walking in opposite directions from the stone.

Just as Brigid was asked to temper the winter elements at Imbolc, so Lugh was asked to temper the heat of summer at it's hottest time to allow the crops to ripen and not wither. Thunderstorms are considered a good omen at this time.

(I know we want a good omen from Lugh but could it be blazing sun instead? The Sunburst is, after all, the emblem of Royal Connacht.) 

Get ready, get set.....RUN!

Proudly Sponsored by the OPW 

Self Catering Accommodation in Tulsk

LUXURY SELF CATERING APARTMENTS
IN THE HEART OF COUNTY 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.

• Perfect for touring Rathcroghan, World Heritage Site nominee.
  
• 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:
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Telephone: 086 1721476
International: 00353 86 1721476
Email: wpjordan@eircom.net

Failte Ireland Approved Accommodation near Tulsk

GLEESONS TOWNHOUSE AND RESTAURANTMarket Square, Roscommon, County Roscommon

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International: 00353 90 6626954
Email: info@gleesonstownhouse.com

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CLONALIS HOUSE
Castlerea, County Roscommon

Telephone: 094 620014
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AVONDALE HOUSE
Rooskey, Carrick On Shannon, County Roscommon

Telephone: 071 9638095
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February 2012 Events in Tulsk

PLEASE NOTE:

THIS POST IS FOR 2012 EVENTS!  For this year, please see January & February Events 2013

St. Brigid’s Cross Workshop

Wednesday 1^st February, come any time from 2pm to 4.30pm

Learn how to make these traditional Irish symbols to help bring the healing and strength of St. Brigid, Mary of the Gael, into your life this year.

See different styles and examples, and some of the history and associations of this time of year. Family €10, Individual €4, includes free tea, coffee, and juice for the kids.

Imbolg Candlelit Procession

Community celebration to welcome Spring. Gather in Rathcroghan Carpark at 5pm on Wednesday 1^st February, finished by 6pm.

Irish Gods and Goddesses Workshop

Saturday 24^th February, 2pm to 5pm - Find your connection with the old Gods of Ireland. Cost €10, includes free tea and coffee.

Tarot Workshop

Sunday 25^th February, 2pm to 5pm – practical introduction to the history, use and skill of reading tarot cards. Cost €10, includes free tea and coffee.

Cruachan Crafters - Weekly Meeting

Thursday mornings, 10am to 12noon. Cruachan Aí Heritage centre, Tulsk. Great social networking, creative inspiration and support for all Crafters… what are you waiting for?!

Wool Scrappage Scheme

Do you have any old balls of wool, bits of fabric, or other craft items, lying around and cluttering up your house? Why not clear the air by donating them to the Cruachan Crafters community Wool Scrappage Scheme? All donations kindly received at the Cruachan Ai Centre, Tulsk, and will be utilized in upcoming community projects.

Spiritual Conference 2011 in Tulsk

THIS POST IS FOR THE 2011 EVENT!

For Information on the Goddess Gathering 2013, with special guest speakers Dr. Vivianne Crowley, and Janet Farrar, please visit us at www.IrishGoddess.com 
and register your interest through the online form!



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