'Féile Siamsa Glas' taking place on greenway this weekend

'Féile Siamsa Glas,' a new festival celebrating the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, takes place this weekend, 14th-15th September.

With a packed programme of events is in store, the festival also provides the opportunity to experience the Irish language and culture of Meath’s Gaeltacht Baile Ghib.

The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway is a 30km walkers' and cyclists' paradise along the route of the old railway line from Navan in Co Meath to Kingscourt in Co. Cavan.

Visitors to the greenway will pass through or close to six villages along the route and communities along the greenway are preparing a warm welcome, a cúpla focal and some exciting events for all ages.

All events will be through Irish and everyone is welcome, no matter what their level of Irish language.

A great event to help with experiencing both the Irish language and the Greenway is the Bodhrán Biking where you can cycle and learn the bodhrán at intervals.

One of the flagship events over the weekend is an Outdoor Immersive Theatre piece ‘The Journey’ at Wilkinstown Platform, where the audience can participate with performances on Saturday and Sunday at 1.30pm.

The Journey is written and directed by Sharon Carroll and presented by local drama group Yellow River Drama Group. Sharon has recently graduated from Maynooth University where she studied Directing for Theatre.

This piece was written especially for the Siamsa Glas festival and depicts fictionally the events in 1949 when the train left the platform in Wilkinstown bound for the All-Ireland Senior Football Final Meath v Cavan in Croke Park.

The drama is site specific and will take place on the platform in Wilkinstown village. A family friendly event and no booking is required.

For families there is Áit Spraoi, Picnic Teidí, and Ceol Beo at Park Beo, while at Kilmainhamwood, families can participate in a printing workshop or Toraíocht Taisce /Treasure Hunt at GNR Café. This treasure hunt for kids along the greenway will feature clues in Irish and relating to Irish culture.

Focal Ón Croí / Family Pottery Workshops will take place on Saturday from 3pm – 4pm at Kilmainhamwood Storehouse, Kilmainhamwood. Here you can make a ceramic heart by pressing replicas of Gaelic printers’ type into slabs of clay. This type was once used by Anita's Dad to create invites, letterheads etc for his customers in this very building.

Choose from a list of small Irish words Anita uses in her own work like Grá, Cróga, Sonas etc. If participants have their own small words, they can use these also. You can also go outside (weather permitting) to pick leaves from native Irish trees which you can press into your heart to create a unique piece of ceramics. Learn the Irish names of the trees and some folklore associated with each one. Anita will speak a little Irish and encourage everyone to do the same!

Saturday evening will conclude with a Céilí Mór at the Gaeltacht, Ceol agus Craic in Finns and Colwell’s pubs. The Céilí is a great night of music and craic for teenagers and adults. No experience is required.

On Sunday, Cúinne Spraoi / Fun Corner will be a highlight for kids at Park Beo from 2pm – 5pm. The 'fun corner' inside the covered marquee will be bursting with colour and happy vibes perfect for children aged 2-12.

A place to chill, meet, make and do. Lots of variety to capture your child's imagination and let their creativity run wild! Activities include arts & crafts, colouring competition, lego fun, board games and a chill zone as well as face-painting. All are welcome, just pop in on the day.

There will also be an Interactive Workshop with the Armagh Rhymers from 3pm – 5pm on Sunday at Park Beo Greenway Hub, Wilkinstown, Navan with songs, poems, dance, and drama, for children aged 3-10. There is no booking required.

You won’t want to miss the cultural concert at Nobber Heritage Centre on Sunday evening. As seen on TG4, Sean-nós singer, Máire Ní Churraoin, and harpist, Jennifer Leahy, will present a selection of Sean-nós songs and harp pieces - including compositions by Nobber born Turlough O’Carolan.

The event also provides opportunity to view transcripts of manuscripts of North Meath writers collated by Peadar Ó’Gealacháin (O’Carolan, Athair Pól O’Brian, Michael Clarke and others) and is a free event. (Due to limited seating space in the centre, attendance will be by ticket which can be got from Eventbrite)

Michele Whelan, Tourism Officer for Boyne Valley said “We are really looking forward to celebrating the Irish language and culture along the new greenway at the Siamsa Glas Festival this weekend. There are several fantastic events due to take place on what is sure to be a busy and exciting weekend for the region.

"The Irish language and culture is a huge part of the Boyne Valley, especially with Meath having two Gaeltachts which are the only Gaeltachts in Leinster. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Boyne Valley for what will be a memorable weekend.”