Ireland’s agricultural heritage and the Fair Days of the 19th century will be brought to life when ‘Traditional Harvest Day’ returns for the first time since 2017 to Bunratty Folk Park on Sunday next September 17th.
Traditional threshing machine at work.
Rural Irish life and traditions from over a century ago will be showcased as part of the family day out, which will feature a display of vintage machinery and tractors, craft demonstrations, and dancers, musicians and performers from across the Banner County. (Co. Clare)
A traditional threshing machine will be put to work giving visitors an insight into how neighbours and friends once gathered during the harvest in the spirit of “meitheal”[Latter Irishword meaning ‘Group‘]. Enthusiasts will be on hand to speak about the evolution of the vintage farm machinery on display on the day, including tractors, and stationary engines. Visitors will also view a range of various ploughs, hay rakes, Root Cutter (Pulper), Turnip and a Mangel Seeder.
The public will be able to witness local craftspeople at work, including Michael Foudy, as he carries on the time-honoured tradition of basket making, Blacksmith Ger Treacy, Elizabeth O’Connor and Geraldine O’Sullivan who will demonstrating the ancient craft of wool spinning, using locally sourced wool, a practice first introduced by Neolithic farmers over 6000 years ago. Bunratty’s ‘Bean an Tí’s’ also will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate the art of bread and butter making and with tasting opportunities for those who pay a visit to the Golden Vale and Loop Head Farmhouses.
As well as so much to see throughout the 26-acre site, there will be entertainment from Sean Nós Singer MacDara Ó Conaola, the Mary Liddy School of Music from Newmarket on Fergus, the Helen Hehir School of Dance, and resident musicians James Anglim and Michael Grogan, while resident Seanchaí Mike ‘Mickey Joe’ Flynn will regale stories of tales of bygone days and traditional ways from Corry’s Pub on the Village Street. At the Old Schoolhouse, located in the Village Street, the school master will be on duty to greet children and adults as they hand over their customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire.
A range of native Irish and Heritage Breeds of animals will be located throughout the Folk Park paddocks on the day, including Irish Red Deer, Peacocks, Highland Cattle, Tamworth Pigs, goats, geese, bronze turkeys and the recently arrived Irish Wolfhounds Míde and Rian.
MsMarie Brennan, (Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park), commented, “We are delighted to bring back this event after a six-year hiatus and to give everyone, both young and old, a flavour of what life would have been like in Ireland during harvest time at the turn of the 19th century. The essence of a Harvest Day was bringing communities together, to support, celebrate and toast the end of a good season,” she explained. “Threshing was backbreaking work, which started early in the mornings and continued until the end of the day with neighbours and friends, all gathering to help out. The machine, and all the activity about it, had a special attraction for children. Its moving belts, the noise from inside and the way it put out straw and oats, was as intriguing back then as the latest computer game is today. We are looking forward to providing a true glimpse of life in rural 19th century Ireland and celebrating the immense sense of community and hospitality that existed during harvest time. Throughout the Folk Park, for example, there will be plenty of activities available to visitors just like during the fairs of old” added Ms. Brennan.
Visit www.bunrattycastle.ie for more on the Traditional Harvest Day. Normal admission rates apply.
Ms Annie Moore (1874–1924), named in the song hereunder, was an Irish immigrant, and the first person in the United States to pass through federal immigrant inspection at the Ellis Island Station, in New York Harbour. As the first person to pass inspection at this then newly opened facility, she was presented with an American $10 gold piece, by an American immigration official.
Annie had set sail from Co. Cork, Ireland, aboard the Guion Line steamship ‘Nevada’ in the year 1892. Her brothers, Anthony and Philip, who journeyed with her, were aged just 15 years and 12 years respectively.
Her parents, Matthew and Julia, had arrived in the United States 4 years earlier, in 1888, and were both residing at No. 32 Monroe Street, Manhattan, New York, USA.
Annie would go on to marry the son of a German Catholic immigrant, named as Joseph Augustus Schayer (1876–1960), latter a salesman at Manhattan’s Fulton Fish Market, with whom she had possibly some eleven children.
She sadly died of heart failure on December 6th, in 1924, at just aged 50 years. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, at Maspeth and Woodside, Queens, New York City, New York, USA.
Lyrics: Irish songwriter and novelist Brendan Graham.
Vocals: The distinctive Irish (Galway) singing voice of Sean Keane accompanied by the six time Grammy award winning traditional Irish folk band ‘The Chieftains’.
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
On the first day of January, eighteen ninety-two, They opened Ellis Island and they let the people through. And the first to cross the threshold of that Isle of hope and tears, Was Annie Moore from Ireland, who was only fifteen years.
Chorus Isle of Hope, Isle of tears, Isle of freedom, Isle of fears, But it’s not the Isle you left behind, That Isle of hunger, Isle of pain I will never see again, But the Isle of home is always on your mind.
Repeat Chorus In a little bag she carried all her past and history, And her dreams for the future in the Land of Liberty, And courage is the passport, when your old world disappears, But there’s no future in the past, when you’re fifteen years.
Repeat Chorus When they closed down Ellis Island in Nineteen Forty-Three, Seventeen million people, had come there for sanctuary, And in springtime when I came here and I stepped onto it’s piers, I thought of how it must have been, when you’re fifteen years.
Lyrics: American singer-songwriters Max Barnes and Vern Gosdin. Vocals: Irish teenage country singer Owen Mac.
If Jesus comes tomorrow.
If Jesus comes tomorrow to spend some time with you, Would you answer all His questions or lie to hide the truth? Would you welcome Him with open arms or even let Him in? If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If Jesus calls your number could you leave today? Are you ready to lay down your worldly goods and walk away? Would it take a month of Sundays just to tell Him of your sin? If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If the sky turns black as midnight in the middle of the day, And somehow you knew that Jesus would soon be on His way. Would you have to beg forgiveness? Or could you reach out and take His hand? If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If the sky turns black as midnight in the middle of the day, And somehow you knew that Jesus would soon be on His way, Would you have to beg forgiveness? Or could you reach out and take His hand? If Jesus comes tomorrow what then? If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
Lyrics: Gilbert Francois Leopold Becaud, latter a French singer, composer, pianist and actor, known as “Monsieur 100,000 Volts”, because of his energetic performances and Neil Leslie Diamond[Neil Diamond] American singer-songwriter who has sold more than 130 million records worldwide.
Vocals: Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond.
It’s a sunny ‘September Morning’ here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary and we find ourselves, once again, in that month which begins our Autumn season, romanticised by the poet John Keats, who described this time of year as the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’.
This song, hereunder, on the other hand, attempts to romanticise a couple who have come back together after a break in their relationship. It’s an emotional moment, as the singer discusses his recollections and indeed his feelings, when they once both danced together on a certain September morning, previously. Since then they have grown apart, and he now hopes that their relationship has not become too distant, and that they can still remember those good times together.
September Morn.
September Morn.
Stay for just a while. Stay and let me look at you. It’s been so long, I hardly knew you, Standing in the door. Stay with me a while, I only wanna talk to you. We’ve travelled halfway round the world, To find ourselves again. September morn, We danced until the night, Became a brand new day. Two lovers playing scenes, From some romantic play. September morning, Still can make me feel that way. Look at what you’ve done, Why, you’ve become a grown-up girl. I still can hear you crying, In the corner of your room, And look how far we’ve come, So far from where we used to be, But not so far that we’ve forgotten, How it was before. September morn, Do you remember, How we danced that night away. Two lovers playing scenes, From some romantic play. September morning. Still can make me feel that way. September morn, We danced until the night, Became a brand new day. Two lovers playing scenes, From some romantic play. September morning, Still can make me feel that way. September morn, We danced until the night, Became a brand new day. Two lovers playing scenes, From some romantic play. September morning, Still can make me feel that way. September morning, Still can make me feel that way.
The Mid-West Region’s premier live entertainment and cultural venue, University Concert Hall (UCH) celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, with performances from two of Ireland’s most prestigious orchestras.
Internationally renowned pianist John O’Conor will be returning to UCH on Friday, September 29th to perform with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as part of the venue’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
UCH became the first purpose-built concert hall in Ireland when it was officially opened on the University of Limerick campus in September 1993 by Taoiseach Albert Reynolds T.D. and U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith.
The 1,038-seat auditorium has since attracted performances from some of the biggest names in entertainment including Johnny Cash and June Carter, James Taylor, Billy Connolly, Leslie Garrett, Van Morrison, The King’s Singers, Jimmy Carr, Sir James Galway, Christy Moore and the late Sinead O’Connor.
The 30th anniversary celebrations commence on Saturday, 21st September, when the Irish Chamber Orchestra with Conductor Christian Curnyn, Mezzo Soprano Sharon Carty and Soprano Anna Devin perform “Stabat Mater”, featuring the music of Van Wassenaer, Respighi and Puccini.
On Friday, 29th September, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will host ‘Beethoven Night’. Conducted by Joshua Gersen, the Orchestra will be joined by internationally renowned pianist John O’Conor, who was one of the first musicians to perform at UCH in 1993.
Judith Woodworth, Chairperson of the UCH Board, “We have celebrated many great moments over the past 30 years from recording our one millionth visitor in 2006 to becoming the lead venue for a year long programme of events marking Limerick’s year as Ireland’s first City of Culture in 2014. We are immensely proud of our role in adding breadth and depth to the cultural life of the Mid-West, and our ongoing work to reflect and promote the longstanding artistic ethos of the University of Limerick by offering a wide range of cultural events and experiences. This month is a key milestone in our history, and we hope people from across the wider region and beyond will join us in marking this special occasion.”
UCH Director Sinead Hope said, “Attracting some of the world’s leading singer songwriters, standup comedians, pantomimes and classical performers to the Mid-West has had a hugely positive impact on the Region’s arts and entertainment sector, as well as the local economy.”
She continued, “We constantly strive to produce the highest quality programme of events while also providing a professional platform to community organisations and artists, such as the Limerick Musical Society, Limerick Choral Union and local schools, to promote and showcase their artistic endeavours. Our Rising Stars Concert series, launched in 2016, also aims to bring young, Irish classical artists to new audiences in a concert programme of their own choosing for one special night.” As well as being an entertainment venue, UCH also plays a significant part in attracting conference business and hosting live tv and radio broadcasts, including The Late Late Show, Lyric FM, Gradam Ceoil TG4 and Eurosong”, added Ms. Hope. “We look forward to exploring new ways of encouraging support for and engagement with the arts in the years ahead.”
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