Bunratty to host Ireland’s first showcase of indigenous breeds as part of Heritage Week

Ireland’s first celebration of Indigenous animal breeds will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on August 18^th as part of a wide-ranging programme of National Heritage Week events at the County Clare visitor attraction.

Hosted in association with the Irish Native Rare Breed Society (INRBS), the inaugural event will include livestock displays of native breeds such as Tamworth Pigs and Irish Red Deer, lectures on rare breed conservation, and tastings of products derived from indigenous breeds. Specialists in crafts involving wool, leather and beeswax also will provide demonstrations and displays of their finished artworks and garments.

The event will feature speakers from The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), Farming for Nature (FFN) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), as well as ecologists and people working with the breeds who will provide different perspectives on breed conservation and the associated area of biodiverse land management.

“One of our primary missions is to increase awareness of native Irish breeds and how they have formed part of our social and cultural history in Ireland down through the centuries,” explained Niall Moloney, Farm Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.

“We are always looking to expand on our collection of native Irish animals from Droimeann cattle to Kerry Bog Ponies and from Irish Wolfhounds to Tamworth pigs, and, in doing so, help to preserve and promote our heritage. Heritage Week provides an ideal opportunity to showcase breeds that are unique to Ireland,” added Mr. Moloney.

Tom Keane of the INRBS commented, “We are excited about partnering with Bunratty for an event that will have a broad focus for people of all ages, whether they are familiar with some or all of the breeds of livestock on display or have little to no knowledge of the breeds. The aim of the event, in addition to the display of livestock and associated crafts involving products derived from the breeds and information provided on the day itself, is to stimulate positive collaborations between the various stakeholders going forward.”

The rare breeds event is included in a comprehensive programme of National Heritage Week (17-25^th August) events happening at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen where the public is being invited to explore the traditions and practices, knowledge and skills passed down through generations.

At Bunratty, animators will showcase life in times past through storytelling and roleplaying as visitors learn about life as a doctor in early 20th century Ireland, a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Policeman, a musician in the 1900s and as a blacksmith. Meanwhile, there will be woodworking demonstrations by TikTok sensation Eoin Reardon, willow weaving and stone masonry workshops, talks on Celtic folklore and mythology, a tour of the 19^th century Bunratty House, a traditional thatching demonstration and an introduction to the Regency Plant Collection at the Victorian Walled Garden.

Meanwhile, Craggaunowen will host reenactors and tradespeople from across Clare who will demonstrate the crafts and traditions of old, including spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, log splitting, bread and butter making, candle making, wool dyeing and bagpipe playing, while stories of mythology and the history of the Ogham stones will be recounted.

Bunratty Heritage Week highlights:

• Woodworker Extraordinaire (August 17^th, 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th) – Bunratty’s resident woodworker and TikTok sensation Eoin Reardon (@PintofPlane) demonstrates how he makes an array of wooden items using old traditional methods as he rescued all sorts of items from a currach to a sugan chair.
• A Blacksmith’s Life (August 17^th, 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th) – Hear the hammer and anvil at work as Bunratty’s resident blacksmith James O’Connor and delve into the rich history of iron working in the unique setting of the courtyard of Bunratty Castle.
• Crochet & Cross Stitching in the 19th Century (August 17-20^th) – Bunratty’s resident artisan, Liv will speak about and demonstrate the rich history and intricate beauty of crochet and cross-stitching. She will explain how during famine times, low-income households sold their exquisite shawls, blankets, and lacework to wealthy ladies, blending necessity with artistry.
• Willow Weaving (August 17^th – 25^th inclusive) – Tom Delaney of Ould Crafty will make traditional style baskets and other items from locally sourced willow. Regularly featured on TV, Tom also uses willow to make bird feeders, plant supports, boats and willow houses.
• Stone Carving & Masonry (August 22^nd & 23^rd) – Master Stonemason and conservation worker Dominic Keogh will bring the beauty of carved stone to life by demonstrating how the age-old craft has been passed down through generations, preserving the techniques and traditions that have built some of the country’s most iconic structures.
• Celtic Folklore & Mythology (August 19^th, 20^th & 21^st) – Drawing inspiration from Ireland’s rich oral tradition, Balor O’Brien will speak about his life collecting folklore and bringing Ireland’s storied past to life.
• Traditional Thatching Demonstration (August 19^th to 23^rd) – Visitors can watch Bunratty’s resident Thatcher Adrian Garvey at work and hear about the skills and materials required to perform this time-honoured craft.
• Tours of Bunratty House (daily) – Meet the caretaker of Bunratty House to hear the history of the family who occupied the Georgian-era house, explore the living quarters, bedrooms, nursery, dining room and more.
• Regency Plant Collection (August 19^th to 23^rd) – The gardening team in the Regency Walled Garden discuss the processes and care involved in the planting and maintenance of the many heritage and regency plants currently growing in this idyllic setting.
• Music in Irish Society (daily) – Bunratty’s resident musicians tell stories about the place and role of music in Irish society.
• The Golden Vale Farmhouse (daily at 10.30am & 2.30pm) – The Bean an Tí will recount what life was like living in an early 20^th century home with its large kitchen, grand parlour and well-tended garden. She will demonstrate the baking of bread on an open fire, butter churning, doing laundry in an old-style tub, ironing, and the infamous Singer sewing machine.
• The life of the Royal Irish Constabulary Policeman (daily) – Bunratty’s resident Royal Irish Constabulary Policeman will reveal riveting tales of a turbulent period in Irish history.
• A Doctor’s Life (daily) – Bunratty’s resident doctor will tell visitors all about his profession at the turn of the 20th century.

 Craggaunowen highlights:

• Medieval Bagpipes (August 17th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd) – Craggaunowen’s resident craftsman and musician Arno will discuss and demonstrate the medieval bagpipes, one of the oldest musical instruments in human history.
• Fulacht Fiadh (11am-3pm, August 24th) – Visitors can join in the lighting resident artisans Tony and Sean of the Bronze Age Fulacht Fiadh, an ancient cooking site.
• Basket Making (10am & 5pm, August 24th) – Master artisan Michael Foudy will showcase the timeless craft of basket weaving and the intricate art of transforming reeds into stunning traditional baskets.
• Origins of Wool Dyeing (August 17-19^th & 23rd at 10am) – Annika showcases and discusses the origins and the art of the ancient practice of wool dying.
• Legends & Tales (August 22^nd & 24^th) – Storyteller Tommy Lanigan will bring visitors on a journey through a rich heritage of folklore and myth
• Tales of Irish Mythology (10am, August 20^th, 21^st and 23^rd) – Visitors can listen to tales of Ireland that have been preserved in the oral tradition and later transcribed in the manuscripts of early Celtic Christianity.
• Ogham Trail (2.30pm, August 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd) – Stefan brings visitors on a trail exploring the ancient Irish writing tradition of Ogham, an Early Iron age Alphabet used primarily to write the early Irish language and later used in the old Irish language.
• Log Splitting (August 19^th, 20^th & 21^st) – Discover the ancient art of log splitting, where wood was processed without the use of metal tools. Join Sean at the Crannóg for a hands-on demonstration and experience the first steps of timber processing using traditional beetles and wooden wedges.
• Traditional Irish Seanchaí (August 21^st & 23^rd) – Join Craggaunowen’s Seanchaí for a traditional Irish folklore storytelling session.
• Traditional Butter Making (4pm, August 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd) – Geraldine creates real Irish butter using the traditional practice of butter churning.
• Food Display and Bread Baking (2.30pm, August 17-19^th & 23rd at 10am) – Craggaunowen animators make bread and oat cakes at the ringfort by grinding oats in the tradition way with a smooth rock and a patient hand before baking bread over an open campfire.
• Making & Playing Frame Drums (August 17th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd) – Craftworker Arno will demonstrate the art and skill behind creating these musical instruments, from selecting materials to assembly. Arno will showcase various drumming techniques, bringing the drums to life with entrancing rhythms.
• The Art of Spinning (11am, August 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd) – Animator Geraldine discusses and performs the ancient Irish craft of wool spinning on a traditional spindle.
• Pole Lathe Demonstration (August 20^th & 21^st) – Witness the ancient skill of timber craftwork on the traditional pole lathe.
• Traditional Blacksmithing (August 18-20^th) – Craggaunowen’s resident Blacksmith will demonstrate traditional blacksmithing techniques.

Visit www.bunrattycastle.ie and www.craggaunowen.ie for booking details and for new events added to the Heritage Week programme at Craggaunowen and Bunratty.