Full programme details available here
Athenry Heritage Centre celebrates National Walled Towns Day 2008 with a family fun day in Athenry Castle and Athenry Heritage Centre. The programme will be launched by Cllr Peter Feeney at 1:00pm in the castle and this will be followed by music performed by the Galway Early Music Society.
Other events include battle re-enactments by the Leinster Re-Enactment Society, falconry displays with Animal Magic, storytelling by Clare Murphy and Moonfish Theatre company present a medieval drama 'NOAH'S ARK'. This year's Walled Towns Festival also includes the unique performances of 'Sounds Ancient' presented by Simon O'Dywer in the Great Hall of the castle. Simon will provide a demonstration of Celtic & Bronze Age horns from these times and be prepared to have your ears tested by their amazing sounds.
The other performer is Nemo the Magician who specialises in medieval conjuring tricks and illusions. this is a show not to be missed!
Please note that all performances in the Great Hall are restricted to 50 people at one time.
The programme of events also includes have-a-go archery in the grounds of the Heritage Centre and hourly walking tours of Athenry provided by Seamus Lynch.Face-painting in the grounds of the heritage centre
Many of the activities will be held on the grounds of the Heritage Centre, weather permitting and the centre will also have a open day where visitors can enjoy the interactive exhibits, storyboards and audio visual presentations. The centre will also exhibit the entrants of the National Walled Towns Photographic Competition 2007.
This year's live demonstration will be presented by Charlie Gallagher of Blacklion Crafts and it will be a manned medieval Norman forge complete with real fire, anvil, bellows and historically accurate clothing. There will be live demonstrations of weapon forging technics including the making of arrow heads, rivets, blade cross section, hardening and tempering, filing and sword handle production.
Athenry's Walled Towns Celebration is co-sponsored by
Failte Ireland and Galway County Council
Full programme details available here