Walled Town festival marks a rich heritage

WITH a deep history reaching back to the 1600s, Bandon celebrates its star-filled heritage with the Bandon Walled Town Festival later this month.

Focusing on a theme of Stars, Navigation, Exploration and Trade, the festival will run from Friday August 26th to Sunday August 28th.

Few know that in the 17th century Bandonians could clearly see the Milky Way at night. For those interested in hearing how Bandon fits into this theme from the 1600s to now, there will be a talk on the topic to launch the festival on Tuesday August 23rd at 11am in Bandon Library. 

The town’s rich heritage also brings to mind the topic of timber framed houses, of which there are only a few in Ireland. Archaeologist Elena Turk O’Brien will give a talk on the Bandon one on Wednesday 24th of August at 3.30pm-4.30pm in the library and again at 7.30-8.30pm in the Town Hall.

On Thursday August 25th, Clare McCutcheon hosts a Walled Town Walk of Bandon which will commence at 12pm on Bridge St. Saturday sees a day filled with musical workshops, where sean nós singer Roisin Elsafty will do a lunchtime recital which is hosted by harper Brenda Malloy. 

A Trace Your Ancestors event takes place at Bandon Heritage Centre from 11.30am with a panel of select genealogists and this will culminate in the ‘Illuminate the Night’ event starting at Muga Park at 9.30pm to release lanterns in remembrance of our ancestors. Distinguished astronomer Bill Napier will take the audience through the history of studying the universe from the 1600s to now in Town Hall  at 3.30pm.

And on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th, local archaeologists James Byrne and Meghan Gossage will host a ‘Live Dig’ in the Shambles.

‘We are delighted to see our festival growing each year and work hard to bring an array of events to Bandon to help us celebrate our rich heritage,’ said organiser Maria McLaughlin.