Loads on in Fore

A new children’s workshop called ‘Storyland’ launches this week as part of the work of North Westmeath Creative Tourism.

Meeting in Jane’s Coffee Shop, Fore at 4pm on Thursday, June 20, it is designed to bring together all the fun things to do on a day out in Fore.

“We want free-range children and Fore is a great place to just let them get out and about and explore,” said Una D’Arcy.

“The ‘Storyland’ Workshops, suitable for fourth class to young teens, will have a different theme every week and the kids will be able to build their own ‘Guide to Fore’ so anything they learn about history, heritage, nature or the class stories of the area. And they can then take their parents out on the trail and show them.”

“Last week, we had the wildlife ranger here and we will have a special guest every week that is an expert to share a story with the children. Then we will create a storyland picture or story or map. I am hoping that families will have time to go out on the 3k loop after every workshop and explore with their new stories.”

Storyland is one of three events as part of a new concept ‘Eclectic’.

“In our group, the stand out element, when we are talking about how much is going on in north Westmeath is just how different everything is, so we came up with the idea of ‘Eclectic’.

“So over the next few weeks, in our group alone, there are three events in Fore: Storyland, an early morning walk on the longest day, June 21, starting from the school at quarter to 7 and a tour of Fore at 2pm on Saturday.

Tullynally Castle is having a rare plant Plant Fair on June 22 and artist Teresa Doyle is facilitating a heritage event in Collinstown, and there are two social dances in the area.

Rare plants and beautiful gardens

Tullynally Castle in Co Westmeath is hosting their Rare Plants Fair with stalls by many of the country’s leading specialist nurseries including Rare Plants Ireland (specialises in unusual trees, shrubs and perennials); Leamore Nursery (specialises in peonies and unusual perennials) and Caherhurley Nursery (specialises in organically-produced herbaceous plants). Admission to the fair is free and North Westmeath Creative Tourism have also teamed up with the Castle to create a special map for the North Westmeath Area that is available from Elaine in the Tearooms.

Streete and Brownstown Social Dancing

Chris Dallot is in Streete on Saturday Night June 21 as part of the super social dancing scene in North Westmeath that has wonderful events happening in halls across the county. The following Saturday, June 29 Brownstown Community Centre will be hopping to the music by Andy Feery.

Apron the heritage item that speaks of a generation of work

“As part of North Westmeath’s Eclectic Festival, Collinstown/Fore ICA, along with Lough Lene Gaels Healthy Club’s ACE members, we are delighted to host their ‘Wear and Share’ Day on Wednesday 26th June, in Collinstown Hall. Time: 10am to 1pm,” said Teresa.

“This will be a celebration morning of the men and women who wore the humble apron. The morning will include exhibition, demonstration, recollection, and storytelling. There will be music and dancing, light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. And I hope that everyone will bring along an apron to join in the Memorable Apron Parade.”

This is a wonderful celebration of the culture of the area that we often do not get the chance to celebrate; the stories of wisdom, courage and hard labour of everyday life.

“These are the stories from the lives of a strong and inventive generation, who tilled the ground, bathed the children, milked the cows, made the shoes, cleaned the big houses and reared large families,” said Teresa, “these stories from an Ireland long ago intertwined with stories of today. I hope that anyone visiting the area would join for the day, or better still, build a visit around this date.”

These tiny little tourism ventures are taking place but so are a number of significant big destination events in the area too.

The Epic Body and Soul is on this weekend and the beautiful Killua Castle will be hosting its second Country Fair with local fare, Irish music and dancers, falconry and archery is on June 29.