The upcoming Ballintubber Heritage Week promises to be a wonderful community festival with a host of family-friendly activities planned. The festivities will run from Friday, July 17th through to Sunday, July 26th.
Friday (July 17)
The Heritage Festival will kick off with ‘St Brigid’s story and cross-making’ – appropriately located at St Brigid’s Well in Tobar Bríde. This has a 6 pm start.
A ‘Stars & Stripes Shamrocks Night’ organised by J and G Jiving will be held in the renowned Kenny’s Lounge from 8 pm.
Saturday (July 18)
A busy day will begin at 11 am with an ‘Old Graveyard Talk’ by Mary Timoney (in the graveyard). This will be followed by a range of activities from 12 am to 4 pm.
These will include Heritage market stalls/festivities at the old schoolhouse which will feature an artefact display, traditional bread-making, visits to Daly’s old-world shop, music, tea/coffee, ice cream, face-painting, and even a Fancy Dress Dog Show. There will also be guided tours of Ballintubber Castle.
In the evening, Garvey’s Bar will host a reunion of the
Castlerea Community School ‘Class of 2001’ from 8 pm. This promises to be a great night.
There will be a super atmosphere too in Kenny’s Lounge, where a Party Night with Ballintubber’s own DJ ARLENE will be held from 8 pm.
Sunday (July 19)
As on the previous day, Sunday will begin in the cemetery with the traditional Cemetery Mass being celebrated at 11.30 am.
This will be followed by a heritage-themed afternoon of traditional hay making, Willsgrove Hall visits, and ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’ from 12.30 pm to 4 pm. At 5 pm, there’s music in Garvey’s Bar with ‘Last Chancers’.
Also that evening, Kenny’s Lounge will host the Roscommon-based trad music group ‘Celtic Cru’ from 7 pm. This will be followed by a performance by popular country musician Eamon Jackson.
Monday (July 20)
At 6.30 pm, the esteemed Dr Andrew Bair of Harvard University will be giving a presentation at the old schoolhouse.
Meanwhile, the festival fun will continue in local pubs and in the community generally.
Pictured at last year’s Ballintubber Heritage Festival weekend were Senator Gareth Scahill, Cllr Liam Callaghan (then-Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council) and Shane Tiernan (Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council) with family members and friends of the late Cllr Anthony Waldron at the launch of the then new jetty in Dundermott. Photo: Michael Finan
Wednesday (July 22)
At 8 pm, an Irish-American Rambling House will be held in Garvey’s Bar, and this will include the popular ‘Dancing with Mildred’, traditional music, and old storytelling.
Friday (July 24)
Opening at 7 pm on Friday, July 24th and continuing until Sunday, July 26th is the ‘Lughnasadh – Gathering The Work’ in the old schoolhouse.
This is an art and archaeology exhibition on ten years of the ‘Castles in Communities’ project which is curated by Janel Pleskac.
Performing their first gig in Ballintubber since the 1990s, ‘The Conquerors’ will play in Smokie Joe’s at 9.30 pm. This is in aid of Ballintubber NS.
Saturday (July 25)
The second Saturday of the festival will see a karaoke event being staged at Kenny’s Lounge from 8 pm. Meanwhile, the Heritage Festival continues with its packed schedule.
Attending the launch of the Castles in Communities Programme at Ballintubber Castle recently were Michael Finan, Adrian Mahon and James Kenny.
Sunday (July 26)
The final day of the festival sees the village saying a fond farewell to the American archaeology students who visit the area annually to conduct research at Ballintubber Castle.
This ‘American Farewell’ is being hosted by Kenny’s on the Sunday evening. The event will consist of a BBQ, music by ‘Breakfree’ – and an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to mingle, chat and say a fond farewell!
Major artists and bands to perform during Ballintubber Heritage Week
The Ballintubber Heritage Week/Festival, which will run from Friday, July 17th to Sunday, July 26th, is set to feature not just educational talks and heritage-related events, but also some great musical talent.
Ballintubber native ‘ARLENE’ will be guest DJ in Kenny’s Lounge on Saturday, July 18th from 8 pm. The Alt Pop and Indie Rock artist is fresh off her ‘Electric Picnic’ and ‘Night and Day Festival’ performances.
Performing in Kenny’s Lounge on Sunday, July 19th, is the Trad and Ballad group ‘Celtic Cru’, and Country and Western artist Eamon Jackson (from 7 pm).
On Friday, July 24th at 9.30 pm in Garvey’s Bar, renowned showband ‘The Conquerors’ are playing Ballintubber for the first time since the 1990s, with their gig being in aid of Ballintubber NS.
The Country/Rock & Roll band ‘Breakfree’ will be on stage in Kenny’s Lounge after the BBQ on Sunday, July 26th.
