Step through the doors of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church and bring Galway’s past back to life on Saturday, August 23, for the church’s Culture and Heritage Event.
The St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church Annual Culture and Heritage Event takes place from 11.30am to 3.30pm, and the public is invited to explore and experience Galway’s History and Culture in the city’s most historic building.
The event is part of The Heritage Council’s National Heritage Week, with this year’s theme being ‘Exploring our Foundations’. With that in mind, there will be guided tours of St Nicholas’, construction of which began in 1320, and which has resulted in the church boasting many fascinating medieval features.
The event is all about giving people a taste of what mediaeval life was like, and there will be fun and exciting displays of mediaeval fencing by Cluain Óir, the Galway Branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism.
The public can also have a go at mediaeval pastimes by learning dancing styles from the period, trying their hand at calligraphy, having a taste of snacks that mediaeval Galwegians would have eaten, and learning about and having a go at creating Celtic Patterns.
Weaving will be a big part of the day, and the public can learn about traditional Irish weaving and have a go at Lucet Weaving, a style originating with the Vikings, and which was used to create cords on clothing or to hang items from a belt.
As St Nicholas’ is committed to the use of the Irish language as part of its services, there will be opportunities for the public to use and learn some cúpla focal on the day.
The Annual Culture and Heritage Event will also have plenty to keep children entertained and engaged through designing your own coat of arms, colouring in Celtic patterns, and face painting by the talented Giselle, sponsored by Dangan Nurseries.
Admission to the event and all activities are free. However, donations towards the upkeep of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church are gratefully welcomed.
