Music and song in the courthouse in Roscrea
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Caoimhe Flannery and Michael McEvoy at the recent Roscrea Rambling House session in the local courthouse.Image 2 of 4
Storytelling by Peter Byrne at the recent Rambling House session in Roscrea courthouse to mark Heritage Week.Image 3 of 4
At the Rambling House session in Roscrea Courthouse to mark Heritage Week is Billy Costello, seen here singing to the large crowd that attended the event. Photos: PJ Wright.Image 4 of 4
Seamus MoLoughney, Catherine O’ Toole, Caoimhe Flannery and Michael McEvoy at the Rambling House session in Roscrea, held to mark Heritage Week.A ‘RAMBLING House’ session of music, song, dance and storytelling was one of the highlights of Heritage Week organised by the town's Heritage Society.
On Wednesday, August 17, we held the event in the town's courthouse, a building designed by Jacob Owen.
This detached three-bay double-height courthouse, dated 1820, has been in use by Age Friendly Roscrea for the last number of years and is a real hive of activity.
The Rambling Houses of long ago ensured that the music, song, dance and stories were preserved and handed down the generations. People rambled on in, no invite was needed, no guest turned away.
At our latest session, it did not take long for seats to be filled and the sound of music, laughter, stories and song to fill the air.
Fear an Tí, Séamus Moloughney, was kept busy moving the microphone around the room as there was no shortage of volunteers. The evening brought together young and old from near and far and it was great to see that the Irish Culture is well and truly alive in Roscrea.
BASKET WEAVING
Concluding our Heritage Week events we found ourselves once more in the courthouse on Sunday, August 21, for our ‘Basket Weaving Demonstration’ by Barry Noyce.
Barry lives in North Tipperary and has been growing and using willow for the last 20 years. He has amassed a collection of over 70 varieties and cuts his crop on an annual basis, both at his home and in outlying Sally gardens he has established. Barry demonstrated how to construct a creel and planter and encouraged all who attended to weave a few rounds. His passion for willow and basketry was obvious on the day and he was happy to answer the many questions he was asked. We look forward to holding another event with Barry in the near future.
On behalf of the heritage society, Pamela Aitken and Brí Greene would like to thank all who attended Heritage Week events.
To The Blue Light Smugglers for their performance, Dick Conroy for guiding the walking tour. To OPW staff Mairtin, Toby, Brian, Gunther, Jacinta, Eileen and Sandra for a very informative presentation and the use of the Black Mills.
To Fear an Tí Séamus Moloughney and all musicians, singers and storytellers for a fantastic evening. To Anne Keevey and everyone who helped out in the courthouse. To Barry Noyce and Tipperary County Council for sponsoring the Basket Weaving Demonstration. Without all your efforts, we would not have been able to organise these events. We look forward to organising many more!