Circus fun, theatre performances of Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the Celtic legend of Fionn mac Cumhnaill and the Salmon of Knowledge are on the menu this summer at Shannon Heritage visitor attractions in Clare, Limerick and Dublin.
Speaking about the upcoming programme of events, John Ruddle, Chief Executive of Shannon Heritage said: “This is our most extensive summer entertainment programme yet. We wanted to offer our local community, overseas and regular visitors an opportunity to experience cultural, heritage and fun events.”
The circus is coming to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park on June 14th and 15th 2014. Shannon Heritage and Fossett’s Circus will roll out the most famous Big Top in Ireland, with two shows daily at 1pm and 5pm. Visitors can enjoy free rides on Victorian Carousels, Swing Boats and more. The Circus acts include: Death – defying high wire, Acrobatics, Aerial Ballet, Illusionist, Fire Juggler, High School Pony and Otto the Clown.
To celebrate Limerick City of Culture year, two special events will take place in King John’s Castle to add to the colourful programme of events. A magical Salmon of Knowledge event will take place in the Castle from the 9th to the 15th June inclusive, with shows at 11.00am daily and an extra show on the 14th and 15th at 2.00pm. This event has been specially designed for the young and young at heart. Puppets and costumed characters will bring to life the legend of the Salmon of Knowledge and a musical score has been written especially for the event.
Malahide Castle & Gardens in Dublin are looking forward to a busy summer ahead with some great outdoor events for the whole family! The West Lawn is the perfect backdrop for these events, kicking off with The Barron Carousel’s performance of ‘Squash’on Sunday 22nd June at 12 noon & 3pm. It is the tale of two circus runaways, their love for ‘The Gardener’ and their desperate attempts to woo him through increasingly daring circus feats.
Theatre lovers are in for a special treat when Jane Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility, is brought to life in the regal and dramatic setting of King John’s Castle on Sunday 20th July. This event, which promises to delight Austin fans, will be performed by Chapterhouse Theatre group who will also stage this play on Sunday 27th July on the beautiful West Lawn of Malahide Castle in Dublin. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes will be performed there on Friday the 4th July. Tickets for all Malahide Castle events can be booked through reservations at 01-8169538 or from the Castle’s admissions desk.
August Bank Holiday, Sunday and Monday 2014 marks the Lughnasa festival at Craggaunowen. This is a unique opportunity to join with costumed re-enactors in a special ‘Lughnasa’ celebration spanning the Bronze Age, through Iron Age, Early Medieval to 16th Century.
Lugh, God of Arts and Crafts in Celtic mythology dedicated the festival to his foster mother Tailtiu, the last queen of the Fir Bolg who died of exhaustion after clearing a huge expanse of forest for the planting and cultivation of crops. At the end of the summer harvest, a festival of games and skills were held in honour of Tailtiu.
As well as several showcase events at specific times during the weekend, the Festival will have a multitude of ongoing displays at Craggaunowen visitor attraction, demonstrating various aspects of Ireland’s history and heritage, from different time periods with showcase events such as a Brehon Law Trial and a hand-to-hand combat demonstration.
“In addition to these events we will have our usual array of animators to entertain visitors and give then a living history experience. We will have Bean an ti in period costume roaming the 19th century Bunratty Folk Park showing what life was like for rural communities living in Ireland over 150 years ago. Shannon Castle Entertainers, in medieval and traditional Irish costumes will perform twice nightly at our mediaeval banquets in Bunratty, Knappogue and Dunguaire Castles and traditional Irish evening in the Bunratty Folk Park Barn. King John’s Castle in Limerick will have costumed animators who will bring to life the 800 years of the castle’s existence. Our very popular Bunratty Folk Park animals, among them wolfhounds, Fionn and Grainne, will be on site once again,” says Mr Ruddle.
For online bookings and further information on the events visit www.shannonheritage.com
