BERNICE HARRISONon alternatives to movies and the mall
Féile na Tuaithe
After the monsoon washout last week, anyone planning a festival this weekend must have their nails chewed down to the knuckle. But in Co Mayo, at the National Museum of Ireland: Country Life, this is their fifth year running Féile na Tuaithe, so they are prepared for all eventualities.
It’s a two-day free family festival with a line-up of events and activities designed to appeal to all ages. Live music throughout the day, storytelling, face painting, art demonstrations and craft workshops, plus a tug of war, should get everyone moving. Look out for the working- spaniel and falconry displays.
In the tented craft and food market the stallholders are all craft workers or artisan food producers, happy to talk about their cheeses, preserves and other goodies – and let you sample them. A live food demonstration involves traditional bread making in a pot oven over an open turf fire.
If all that activity gets a bit too much, take a stroll around the peaceful gardens at Turlough Park and take in the wonderful contrast of the Victorian high Gothic-style original house (it looks quite spooky) and the stunning modern museum building.
The festival runs from noon until 5pm today and tomorrow.
National Museum of Ireland: Country Life, Turlough Park, Co Mayo, 094-9031755, www.museum.ie