More details have been revealed of Siamsa Glas festival to take place from 12th to 14th September in the Boyne Valley. A packed programme includes activities along the Lakelands Greenway, focusing on Irish language and culture.
There are various family-friendly events, including a treasure hunt and music workshops. Cultural performances pay homage to local poet Francis Ledwidge throughout the weekend. Events will also feature opportunities for creative workshops, local music sessions, and art displays.
- On Friday 12th September there will be a treasure hunt (Tóraíocht Taisce) at GNR Café in Kilmainhamwood. Taking place from 10am – 4:30pm, there is sure to be fun for the entire family.
- In Baile Ghib/Gibbstown, there will be an introduction to the Bodhran class with Shay Casserly in Halla Bhaile Ghib from 4:30pm – 5:30pm, followed by a showing of An Cailín Ciúin at 7pm.
- If you’re in the mood for some music and for cúpla focal, then there will be a Popup Gaeltacht in The Kilberry from 9pm.
- On Saturday, 13th September, For the Love of Ledwidge – a piece of open-air theatre written especially for Siamsa Glas Festival by Sharon Carroll, will take place at 1pm on Wilkinstown Railway Platform. Sharon wrote the much-admired piece for last year’s festival The Journey. This play looks at the local connection of Slane poet Francis Ledwidge to the Wilkinstown area. It explores the love letters he wrote to Lizzie Healy who lived in the village. (There will also be a performance at 1pm on Sunday).
- This will be followed by Spraoi sa Phairc in Park Beo Wilkinstown, fun for the whole family on both Saturday & Sunday from 2-5pm. There will also be an opportunity to take part in Bodhran Biking class with Feel Good Bicycles in collaboration with Shay Casserly.
- In Baile Ghib/Gibbstown, there will be a maidin yoga at 10am in Halla Bhaile Ghib, talk on bee keeping at 11am in Teltown House, bread making with James Tallon at 3pm in Martry Mill. There will also be a performance of Way Back Home drama at 9pm along with traditional music in Colwell’s Pub from 9:30pm for anyone that’s in the mood for a song to finish the day.
- In Castletown, there will be a Tidy Towns Fun Walk at 4pm at the proposed new coffee shop at Castletown, Children’s Music & Dance Session at 5pm, Live Music: Just Us at 7pm and Seisiun Ceoil: Local Musicians Session at 9pm, all in Finn’s Bar Castletown.
- In Kilmainhamwood, children will love the chance to make a magical creature with clay at a Kid’s Pottery Workshop, inspired by the Whitewood Lake Monster in the Printing Studio at 10am (Saturday and Sunday).
- At Kilmainhamwood Station, at 2:30pm, “A Chat with Joe” will see Joe Gogarty tell the story of a lifetime running his printing business in the railway Storehouse while bringing up a family in the station house across the tracks. As an avid historian Joe will tell the story of Kilmainhamwood railway junction with the help of photos and objects on display.
- There will also be live music at Kilmainhamwood Station from 5:30pm with Kingscourt Town Band (and a trad session from 2:30pm on Sunday).
- In Nobber from 7.30pm – 9.30pm, there will be a cultural concert in Nobber Heritage Centre. This features the Accora Orchestra, a musical group who draws heavily on Irish as well as contemporary music genres. They will be supported by Harpist Mary Horgan, who will perform notable Irish music pieces including some compositions of Nobber born Turlough O’Carolan.
- On Sunday, 14th September, there will be yoga/mindful breathing with Tara at 10am at Halla Bhaile Ghib, followed by a biodiversity/nature walk with Emma and Paula at 11am at Gibbstown Park and then ending with bingo sa charr at 3pm in Halla Bhaile Ghib.
- Our Station Story – a display of photos and memorabilia telling the story of Kilmainhamwood Storehouse and Station will be open to visitors from Friday to Sunday (10am – 5pm) in the Railway Storehouse.
- Visitors have an opportunity to design your own tweed coaster on Sunday at 2pm with Bréidín na Bóinne.
- There will be a performance of Way Back Home at Tiernan’s Pub at 7pm. The play is set on Christmas morning in Flanagan’s pub in north Leitrim.
Majella Farrell Head of Economic Development & Tourism in Meath County Council, shared, “We are really looking forward to celebrating the Irish language and culture along the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway at the Siamsa Glas Festival.”
