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A trip down memory lane for the whole
family is what awaits visitors to Sligo Folk Park. It is a true experience of
rural Irish heritage. Here, the cultural heritage and history of the whole
region comes to life.
The Museum and Exhibition Hall, built in the
style of a traditional residence complete with garden and courtyard also houses
a fine collection of rural and agricultural artefacts.
Millview House originates from the 19th
century and has both the smell and fell of life in the late 1800s. The house retains
its original architecture and a wealth of restored furniture pieces, household
items, linens, photographs, and artefacts (like a long-handled bed warmer, a
kitchen cooking pot, handmade lace garments, and common weaponry).
The Forge, currently managed by blacksmith
artist Michael Budd (www.michaelbudd.ie),
is also known as Kilkenny Forge. In ancient societies, the blacksmith was
considered the magical shaman of his village and even had the power to marry
couples within his forge. Today, it is still considered good luck for a couple
to drop by a forge on their wedding day to get a blessing (or a handshake) from
the blacksmith. "By the hammer and the hand" is the blacksmith's motto, one
that dates to the original forger: the Greek god Hephaestus, son of Zeus and
Hera, born with twisted legs but magical hands. The only twists in Michael
Budd's shop, though, are the ribboned loops he so skilfully executes in his
beautiful leaded artworks. Among
blacksmiths, there exists a certain sign language. Students watch the Master
Smythe while he hammers this way, that way, a bend here, a turn of the wrist
there. The way he wields and holds his hammer is the signal to the others to
follow his movements-much as a composer loops and taps his wand for his
orchestra.
The Craft Centre and Restaurant host a wide
collection of local crafts and artworks in addition to offering a wide variety
of homemade, healthy soups, salads, sandwiches, breads, and scrumptious
desserts at reasonable prices (€2 - €10).
The Village Street, the newest addition, is
an exhibition hall which houses a recreated village streetscape with authentic
objects which would have been found in a variety of Irish shops typical of
every village: creamery, pub, cobbler, chemist, library, and mercantile.
On site as well are a peacock pen, a hen
house, a duck pond, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits...all delightfully
accustomed to the human animals who take such pleasure in watching and
photographing them.
A visit to Sligo Folk Park will prove a
delightful adventure with surprises at every turn. A perfect place for family
and friends.
Hours: May to September, Open every day,
10:00 - 5:30, Sunday, 12:30 - 6:00
Cost: Adults €6, Children €4, Family €20
For group rates and tour information
contact Imelda Ryan-Jones, Manager
T: 071 916 5001
Ample parking available
How to get there:
From Dublin: N4 to Castlebaldwin, Follow
signs 5km to Riverstown.
From Belfast: A6 to Derry, then A5 to
Lifford, N15 to Sligo Town. Take N4 to Drumfin, left at sign 3km to Riverstown.
Address:
Sligo Folk Park
Riverstown, Co. Sligo
www.sligofolkpark.com
Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007
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