Craft and culture on offer at the inaugural Craggaunowen Fair

ANCIENT crafts, music, trades and traditions of County Clare will be showcased at the inaugural Craggaunowen Culture and Crafts Fair. 

Visitors to the popular visitor attraction will have the opportunity to engage directly with artists, crafts and tradespeople, storytellers, musicians, and dancers from across the Banner County this Sunday July 16, from 11.00am to 5.00pm.

Pauline Lenihan, Site Manager at Craggaunowen, commented, “We are excited to bring together some of Clare’s finest musicians, crafts and trades people, and artists to our visitor attraction for a celebration of the history, heritage and ancient traditions of County Clare.”

The idyllic setting of 16th-century Craggaunowen Castle will host demonstrations and talks by local artists and craft producers, including Wix and Wax Candles, Galanta Jewellery, Palm Oil Free Soaps, artist Helen Lowe, Brideog Trad, and Pricella Crochet and Knitting.  

The inaugural fair will be celebrating Ireland’s “lost” or traditional crafts and trades. Jack Pinson, a Clare-based maker of traditional and historic longbows (pictured above), will showcase the ancient skill of timber craftwork on the traditional pole lathe. Michael Foudy from Ruan will demonstrate the ancient craft of basket making and how locally sourced pliable materials such as hazel and willow were used to create baskets for carrying fuel, gathering food or catching fish.

Viking merchants will be onsite at the Crannóg to educate visitors on the many ancient crafts, skills and games, enjoyed by the pagan warriors. They will also be regaling stories of Viking battles and bravery.

The myths, superstitions and traditions of old Ireland also will be recalled through storytelling by Bunratty Castle and Folk Park animator and Seanchaí, Mike Glynn, while magician Seamus Tobin will keep the crowds entertained with his array of magical talents and tricks.

The Clare County Council managed visitor attraction at Craggaunowen recreates what life would have been like for the Bronze Age inhabitants of Ireland. The attraction features a 16th-century castle and a reconstructed “crannog” showing how Celts lived, worked, and defended themselves.

The Craggaunowen Culture and Crafts Fair takes place on Sunday July 16 from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Online bookings (standard rates apply) can be made here.