“Heritage at Risk” 15 -23 August
Cashel library had a busy Heritage Week this year with a diverse schedule of events that explored and celebrated our built, cultural and natural heritage. We kicked the week off with a morning of traditional music curtesy of some young members of the Caiseal Mumhan branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (pictured above).
On Monday our Comhrá sa Leabharlann group celebrated their two year anniversary! Bhí an-spraoi againn ag ceiliúradh. Thosaigh an Comhrá sa Leabharlann i rith Seachtain Oidhreachta Náisiúnta 2024, agus tá sé fós ar siúl gach luain! Tá comhghairdeas tuillte ag gach duine! Also on Monday we were joined by The Knit Nurse, Leisa Gray, who held a knitting clinic for the day, helping patrons with their knitting queries.
Community artist Cher Gleeson gave two art workshops that aimed to raise awareness of Ireland’s rich artistic heritage and the importance of preserving it. For children the focus was on Celtic Creatures & Ancient Symbols. Through storytelling and art, participants explored the meanings behind ancient Irish symbols while creating two original artworks to take home. The adult workshop explored The Art of Celtic Knotwork – the ancient patterns found in Irish manuscripts, stone carvings, and metalwork.
Our Tuesday Evening talk “Heritage at Risk: Conserving Knockelly Castle” was given by Jeremy Emmet-Booth. Jeremy and his wife Sybil are the current custodians of Knockelly Castle, Fethard. They are passionate about promoting the conservation of our built and natural heritage and wish to share what they learn, as they face and overcome challenges, make mistakes, discover, restore and create. It was fascinating to hear about the traditional methods they are using in their conservation work and the immense thought and attention to detail going in to every decision they make.
We continued the tradition of the “Céilí sa Leabharlann” with a mid-week céilí led by Michael Cooney. Michael always brings great energy and enthusiasm to the céilí and makes it such a fun event.
Two events focused on our natural heritage — our landscapes, habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity — which is at risk from climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and land use. Róisín O’Connell “The Irish Flower Whisperer”, gave a fun workshop for children in which they discovered the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while making wildflower seed bombs using clay, compost, and native wildflower seeds. Lisa Kennedy, who runs the community garden at Knockanrawley Resource Centre (Tipperary Town) lead an inspiring session for adults, “Native Plants for Irish Gardeners”. An avid proponent of organic gardening, Lisa is a wealth of knowledge and for this talk she focused on how to garden with nature instead of against it.
Caiseal Mumhan CCE generously joined us to fill the library with traditional music on the closing Saturday too. Sincere thanks to them and to everyone who took part this year, to all our wonderful facilitators and to the Tipperary Heritage Office for their support.
