Calls for encore following most successful Offaly Heritage Week event on the bog
The turnout of over 150 surpassed even the wildest expectations of the organisers
An evening of song, stories and spoken word to celebrate the midlands and Offaly's peat harvesting, turf and now bog restoration tradition and culture proved one of the outstanding success stories of Heritage Week in the county.
Staged in Artful Parks in Clonaghadoo, Geashill a og previously at the heart of commercial peat harvesting now undergoing a conservation transformation as it is being rewilded and restored. Artful Parks is the brainchild of Brian Gorman and his family who have worked the bog for generations.
"There was a great turnout and a wonderful reaction to what we are trying to cultivate and achieve here at Artful Parks. I think people were pleasantly surprised and by the end of the evening all everyone was asking is when are you doing an event like this again and that was really rewarding and encouraging," said Brian.
There was a great attendance of all age groups from across the local community and further afield, all who enjoyed the evening's talk and tour across the bog, the entertainment and the traditional cup of tea and cakes from the Burco Boiler located in a repurposed former Bord na Mona locomotive renamed, Café Loco.
One striking similarity in the reaction to those in attendance was the sense of solitude, peacefulness and sanctuary that prevailed across the bogland expanse as Brian Gorman led the walk with the Slieve Blooms visible in an unimpeded visual amenity.
Among those in attendance were Offaly Heritage Officer, Amanda Pedlow; Offaly TD, Carol Nolan; Shirley Clerkin from Tóchar Project and Michael Carroll from Tullamore Lions Club, who also recalled stories and his family's historical links to the bogs across Offaly. Brian Gorman had previously collaborated with Michael and Tullamore Lions on a peatland restoration project at Clonbeale Bog.
The evening's programme of songs, stories and spoken word was curated by Amanda Kelly of Power of Words, who had coined the title, 'Turbary Writes' and an array of talent provided a great evening's entertainment which ran well beyond the allotted time frame.
Among the highlights were the young talented performers Kylah and Cooper Hyland from Garrymore on harp and violin, with Comhaltas members Kiéu Conroy and Edel Conway on harp and concertina giving an incredible rendition of traditional airs which left the audience further mesmerised as the tunes drifted out over the bog as the dusk settled on an unforgettable Offaly heritage week event at Artful Parks.
With the reviews all in the clamour is for encore.
Turbary Writes at Artful Parks, Geashill was organised with the support of the Offaly Heritage Office and Creative Ireland Offaly.