A pig roasts on a spit as a trio of musicians wearing medieval dresses recruit enthusiastic dancers to join in on their song and dance. Two young ladies on stilts saunter through the crowd, showering the excited children with bubbles. A blacksmith slaves away on his bellows, building a fire to demonstrate his craft. A crew of men wearing pieces of armor and weaponry teach an assembled crowd about each piece’s purpose and construction. The clacking of childrens’ wooden swords against one another mingles with the hum of laughter and the traditional music coming from a live session on the stage. Welcome to the first Loughrea Medieval Festival.
Residents of the small walled city of Loughrea assembled and celebrated their medieval heritage at the Loughrea Medieval Festival, August 30-31. The celebration was the first of its kind for the city, and spanned two days of activities ranging from banquets to parades, lectures to fun runs, candlelight Medieval Latin mass to a fair day on the town’s green. Considered a great success by many, the events drew nearly 8000 participants in total.
The festivities kicked off with a banquet on Aug. 29, where over 300 community members dined on medieval inspired foods and entertainment. Saturday’s activities included the launch of a collaborative comic book project, lectures, a hurling match, a puppet show, and a Candlelit Medieval Latin Mass and Hymns. The final day drew nearly 6000 community members and out of town visitors with its festive parade and fair on the town’s green on the lake. The parade was led by a pipe band and consisted of community members wearing medieval clothing as the strolled along the town wall and moat towards the lake. The Loughrea Walled Towns Day fair drew the greatest numbers of the festival’s events. The green filled with craft, produce, and food booths, demonstrators of medieval crafts and skills, live animals such as birds of prey and ponies, and live music performances.
Padraig Larkin is a basket weaver who was providing demonstrations of various types of weaving. Larkin described the importance of festivals such as these in preserving crafts. “They’re endangered crafts-these crafts are dying out. These types of shows help promote our craftspeople. I’m out here mostly to preserve the craft,” Larkin stated.
Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer of the Galway County Council, said, “As organizers, we’re very delighted with the turnout. Given that it’s our first outing, the numbers are looking really good.” Mannion also described feedback received from stall owners and small businesses in town regarding the festival’s positive impact on business. “From all perspectives, it just shows that Hertiage, when it’s done well, can really help the local economy,” said Mannion.
Alan Burgess, manager of the Athenry Heritage Centre, also views the festival as a success. Burgess said, “The children that have attended the event, and the families—they’re still here. They have swords in their hands, they’ve done craft activities, the parents are engaged. Learning and having fun. Those are two of the best activities you could ever have. For me, I think that’s a success, that people have stayed and enjoyed the whole day.”
Loughrea takes its name from Irish meaning, “grey lake.” It is a city of approximately 5000 residents located in Galway County in western Ireland. According to the Irish Walled Town’s Network, it is among 23 walled downs in Ireland, though it remains the only town in Ireland with a working moat.
