This weekend is Féile na Tuaithe weekend, the two-day celebration of all that’s good about country life and traditions. Families from every corner of the country will converge on the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough, Castlebar. Free entry, children’s activities, storytelling, music, face painting, demonstrations and workshops make this the best fun and best value festival around. Concerns about access and traffic management have been laid to rest by the museum.
“We have a full traffic management plan in place,” explained Bernie Byron, Marketing, National Museum of Ireland - Country Life. A one-way system will operate to facilitate ease of access to the museum grounds which is excellent news for anyone travelling to the festival by car.
For visitors who would prefer to leave their car in Ballyvary, a complimentary coach will run between the village and the museum from 12 noon to 5pm each day. Parking is not available within the museum grounds as events and entertainment begin immediately inside the museum gates.
Music in the air
Listen carefully on your approach to Féile na Tuaithe, almost whatever time of day you visit, you will hear music in the air. This year’s Féile promises musical entertainment to suit all the family. The line up includes well known traditional and folk bands The Rolling Waves and Le Chéile as well as the exciting young Foxford Celtic fusion band Celtica. The Mayo based Drummers group always cause a stir with their earthy rhythms. Youngsters with musical aspirations will love trying their hand at big band stuff as Mary Curran’s musical workshop produces an impromptu orchestra at various times each day. Unsuspected hidden talents could emerge so watch that spot carefully.
Tell me a story
Storytelling is one of the most ancient of all our traditions and is deeply rooted in the Irish psyche. Recognising the ongoing interest (from both children and adults ), the museum have moved the storytelling to a new venue so more people can be accommodated. They have also added some new storytelling slots during the weekend, but it is first come first served, so get there early to be sure of your place. The storyteller is the amazing Gearóidín Ní Bhreathnach from Donegal who weaves her magic over audiences of all ages, spanning the generations seamlessly. This is the true artist at work, breathing life into stories and building technicolour pictures with words. Some traditions are truly timeless.
Food glorious food - and crafts
As well as a stunning programme of workshops and demonstrations, a tended food and craft market runs throughout the festival. Dozens of foodstalls entice passers by with a cornucopia of relishes, fudge, chocolate, honey, jams, boxty, cheese, juice and a bewildering array of homebaking. Food ‘on the go’ as well as sit-down fare will be available from Brambles, the museum café.
Crafts are inextricably linked with the countryside and rural traditions so it’s no surprise that the quality of crafts on sale is superb. Many standholders will be familiar to Féile-goers from previous years but there are some new and exciting handmade wares for 2009. These include exquisite jewellery, bronze castings, cards, paintings, prints, candles and bog oak carvings.
This is the fifth year of Féile na Tuaithe - Turlough Park which is now firmly established as a leading family festival, attracting over 20,000 visitors over the weekend. The festival runs from 12 noon to 5pm each day. Féile na Tuaithe - Turlough Park is a natural extension of the museum’s purpose of bringing families together to enjoy quality time and learn about the traditions of bygone days. It is also an opportunity to attract people who are coming through the gates for the first time.
