Cultural Exhibits

Brian Boru's Ireland

Brian Boru’s Ireland gives Dublin Irish Festival visitors an authentic experience of life as it was in Ireland 1,000 years ago. A hidden gem among the Festival’s music, dance, food and drink, this reenactment of a 10th century Irish settlement is fascinating, educational and important to a full understanding of Irish culture.

The area endeavors to recreate the daily life of early Medieval Ireland 1000 years ago. Metalworking, wood turning, combat and weaponry are just a few of the ongoing demonstrations. You can have your photo taken in costume; enjoy the sweet fragrance of herbs and perhaps a story with our herbalist. Visit our "caiseal" and listen to harp music while watching textile production in the form of drop spindle spinning and weaving on a warp weighted loom. Help our cooks churn butter while they prepare our meals over an open fire and bake in a clay oven.  Come to the abbey and see our embroidered tapestry in progress learn to make a St. Brigid's cross and in the scriptorium see the tools and techniques used in illuminated manuscripts. Admire the treasures of the Lost Viking Hoard. Join in a game of Brandubh or learn to make mead “the drink of kings" when you step back in time to Brian Boru's Ireland.

Two groups participate in this reenactment: The Irish Living History Society and the Lost Viking Hoard Crew.  For more information on Irish Living History Society visit, www.ilhsco.org  For more information on the Lost Viking Hoard visit, www.lostvikinghoard.com

 

Irish Linen & Wool Worker Demonstrations

Tim and Katheleen Nealeigh will use authentic 19th century tools to produce world-famous Irish linen and wool in a demonstration that appeals to all ages.  Linen begins as the humble flax plant which is pulled up, retted, dried, scutched, hackled, and spun into linen thread. The linen fabric is then woven using a loom from the 1700s. Wool is shorn, picked, carded or flicked, and spun into yarn.  A delightful, informative running commentary during the continuous demonstration will provide the human touch to these nearly forgotten skills. arrogantfrenchman.com

 

Irish Wake Tent

The Irish Wake Tent is celebrating its 10th year anniversary at the Dublin Irish Festival! The Festival has long celebrated and preserved Irish customs and culture. Music, dance, food and drink are among those customs, but other customs are equally important to those seeking to understand Irish culture, including funeral practices. So, in the midst of all the celebration, music and dance, festival-goers will find a Wake Tent, complete with a facsimile of a corpse and mourners.

The Wake Tent at the Festival is an authentic representation of a wake as it might have been in a family home in 1898, a timeframe that was chosen because it represents the broadest range of customs. The body is laid out, usually on a door, in his best clothes. His coffin is standing by, his tombstone has been prepared and food, drink and tobacco are set out for the neighbors.

The traditional Irish wake lasted three days, during which time the body was never to be left alone or left in the dark. The deceased in the Festival’s Wake Tent is represented as an old man who lived a full life; therefore there is much for his family and friends to celebrate.  For more information visit click here.

 

Magical Landscapes

In this presentation by Joseph Keane guests see how ancient landscapes offer a glimpse of some sites in Ireland from the Neolithic period.  Come and learn about Cairns, Dolmens and Stone circles.  In addition, guests will find out about the Celtic Zodiac and the 13 lunar cycles based on the personality of trees.  www.celticrevival.com