Muckross Heritage Week 2013

As part of National Heritage Week, which is taking place from Saturday August 17th to Sunday August 25th, Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms is pleased to present a wide range of events that are ideal for all family.
A full and varied programme of  events will be held throughout the week reflecting the rich heritage of Ireland.
Admission to the events in the Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms and Mucros Craft Centre is FREE!
Also, there will be reduced admission prices to both Muckross House and the Traditional Farms on Sunday August 18th and Sunday August 25th respectively; with entry to each attraction costing €1 per person and €3 for a family on these dates only.
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Date: Saturday August 17th
                                                                                                                       

Title: An Introduction to the Irish Harp
Killarney based professional Harpist and Soprano,
Marina Cassidy offers an enchanting introduction to
the Irish Harp through the haunting and mesmerising
melodies of traditional Irish instrumentals and
contemporary music.

Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date:  Sunday August 18th
                                                                                                                       

Title:  Songs & Stories with Ger Wolfe
Cork born singer, songwriter Ger Wolfe offers an afternoon of songs, music and chat.
Sharing with all his love of music in this "Workshop of Song".

Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date: Monday August 19th                                                                      
Title:  Introduction to Hand Thrown Pottery
Ever wanted to learn to throw your own pottery?
Mucros Master Potter, Margaret Phelan offers an introduction to the basics of hand thrown pottery in Mucros Craft Centre.

Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  Mucros Craft Centre
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Date:  Tuesday August 20th                                                      

Title:  From Seed to Seat / Biddy Hats to Súgan Chairs
Come and watch Master Craftsman Pat Broderick as he demonstrates the age old tradition of making Biddy hats and Súgan Chairs.

Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date:  Wednesday August 21st                            

Title:  Basket Making
Join Master Craftswoman Diane Carton as she demonstrates the ancient craft of basket making - weaving skill and time together beautifully.


Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date:  Thursday August 22nd                                          

Title:  Butter Making
Learn to make your own butter with the Mná Tí from Muckross Traditional Farms.


Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 -16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date:  Friday August 23rd                                                                

Title:  The Bodhrán, Bones & Spoons
Discover the history and unique music of the time old traditional musical instruments of the Bodhrán, Bones and Spoons with local musician Tom O' Sullivan.


Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date: Saturday August 24th                                                       

Title:  Dr. Bill Mangan Hurling Tournament
The Dr. Bill Mangan under 10's Hurling Tournament will see hurling teams from clubs Dr. Crokes, Kenmare, Kilgarvan and Tralee Parnells compete in this annual tournament.

Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 2.00pm
Location:  Muckross Traditional Farms
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Date:  Sunday August 25th                                                      

                             
Title:  Siamsa Tíre the National Folk Theatre
Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre brings a taster of its Summer Repertoire to Muckross, for Heritage Week 2013.




Admission:  Free
Time:  12.00 - 16.00pm
Location:  The Schoolhouse at Muckross Traditional Farms
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The A.W.B. (Billy) Vincent Memorial

The A.W.B. (Billy) Vincent Memorial

A memorial to Billy Vincent, whose family donated Muckross House and its Estate to the Irish State in 1932, was unveiled here in Muckross by Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan T.D. on the 28^th of June 2013. 

Billy Vincent died in Monte Carlo in October 2012 aged 93, an extraordinary man, Billy had a close connection to Muckross which he kept throughout his life; this sculpture is a fitting tribute to his memory. 

The image of the Heart which represents Billy's generosity and kindness which faces the Park entrance.

The Memorial was crafted here in Muckross by German sculptor Rolf Hook from a large piece of Oak that from a tree that fell in the National Park near Muckross House. The shapes, textures and lines in this sculpture have all been carefully considered and carved the master sculptor to reflect the unique characteristics of Billy Vincent, to represent his connection with the Park and reflect his love for Killarney.

The image of the Butterfly, facing the House which represents Billy Vincent's gentleness and genius.

The most obvious of the images which can be seen are the Heart and the Butterfly, which stand on opposing sides of the sculpture, representing Billy’s generosity and kindness and his gentleness and genius respectively. More refined detail such as the rough chiseled textures representing his unrefined approach and the smooth surfaces representing his style and character combine with the striking images to build an amazing representation of Billy Vincent’s character and life. 

Installing the Memorial

Made from an enormous single piece of 300 year old Killarney Oak and weighing 3 tonnes it is one of the largest, if not the largest sculptures to ever have been crafted from a single piece of wood in Ireland.

The sculpture is 3.5 meters in length and 1.8 meters in height. Billy Vincent was considered to be in the sculptors words, a "giant of a man", the size and powerful stance of the memorial show this while reflecting the gentler features of his personality in its intricate details.

The use of nature’s beauty is central to this piece, and thanks to its unique characteristics it will be an ever changing and evolving piece as nature changes the woods colours and develops a unique pattern on the sculptures base. These changes will be documented as they take place and as the sculpture becomes more and more a part of Muckross.

As time progresses the sculptures base will continue to naturally develop a beautiful,  unique pattern, ever changing with nature itself. This picture was taken just one week after the unveiling and already the base has begun to change.

This picture, taken a month on from the unveiling shows the development of the natural colouration on the base.

The Sculptor, Rolf Hook, is a German sculptor working in wood, has refined his craft from an early age. Working from his childhood at his father’s side he progressed to complete a Masters Degree in Fine Woodworking and went on to win a German State Award for his unique contribution to the Arts. In his work he always highlights the inner beauty of each tree, studying each piece of wood, carefully observing its composition before placing his first all-important cut.  Rolf aims to project his idea, as gently as possible, into that piece. The result is a display of his fine, unique art – stunning natural beauty, with a story, perhaps hidden, all its own. For more on the artist and his work see www.rolfhook.com.