Celebrate Harvest Day at Bunratty Folk Park

Visitors to Harvest Day at Bunratty Folk Park will be given a flavour of rural Irish life over 100 years ago.  The Bean a Ti’s will demonstrate the art of bread baking and butter making. The village school master will be greeting children and looking for them to hand over their customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire.  Visitors will also be able to experience live horse shoe demonstrations at the forge and a sheaf throwing competition.

Younger visitors to the Folk Park will be encouraged to leave their parents in school while they enjoy the atmosphere created by the musicians and strawboys who will be performing around the Folk Park during the afternoon. A special vintage farm machinery display will give visitors an insight into farming techniques from a bygone era.

All are welcome to enjoy traditional storytelling by the resident Seanachai, and the village policeman in his 19th century uniform will be on site to create an ‘arresting experience’ if the harvest celebrations get out of hand.

A full listing of events and the times for each will be on view at the reception to Bunratty Folk Park.  Special family tickets will be available at €33.60 for two adults and two children and €38.00 for two adults and up to six children. Adult admission is €15.00, admission for senior citizens is €9.45 and student rate €10.00, child €9.00.  No reservations necessary. Tickets are available on the day or buy on-line at www.shannonheritage.com. For further information please phone: 061- 360788 or visit the website.

Photo Caption 19th century Harvest traditions are being brought to life by Shannon Heritage at Bunratty Folk Park, Co. Clare. Photograph shows the Meitheal, a group of neighbours working together to help each other in tasks such as saving the hay or gathering the harvest. The Meitheal tradition created a wonderful sense of community as neighbours gathered together to support one another and work collectively to bring in the crops.