Tyrrellspass Festival

Walks, talks, tours; art and photo exhibitions, medieval re-enactment, family fun days, and lots more, are on the list of events for this weekend's Tyrrellspass Festival, from Thursday to Sunday.The Battle of Tyrrellspass - a children's re-enactment created and directed by Rahugh Drama - is at The Green at 6.30pm. Then there is the grand parade, and the coronation, at the castle, of the new king and queen.Saturday's events kick off at 9.30am, with a gathering at the GAA pavilion for a bog walk with Eugene Dunbar; at 9.45am, The Grocery hosts author and artist Dolores Keaveney, who after a reading will give a cookery demo.From noon, there is family entertainment on the green, until 6.30pm. Highlights include a magicians' tea party at 2pm, , the Tyrrellstars Variety Show 3pm, and a medieval treasure hunt, 5.30pm.Also on Saturday is a living history re-enactment on the green by Knights Hospitaller from noon until 6pm, giving an insight into life in medieval times. At 1pm, Andrea Webb of the National Parks and Wildlife will lead a guided walk on the Esker, meeting at Newtown Crossroads. From 2-5pm, the art exhibition in the Old School and the photo exhibition in the old betting office run, and there are, during that same period, guided tours of the castle.From 3-4.30pm, registration is at the GAA pavilion for a fun run/walk; at 6.30pm there is Mass in St Stephen's, and at 8pm a choral evening in St Sinian's, followed at 10pm by a céilí mór at the marquee at the Castle grounds.On Sunday, there is Mass at St Stephen's at 10am; and from 2-6pm, the Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns summer fete, featuring children's activities; an apple tart competition; a dog show; a flower show, and lots more.Also on Sunday, there are further living history re-enactment on the green, tours of the castle, photo and art exhibitions, and at 3pm, a bog walk with Eugene Dunbar; and from 3-5.30pm, a cheese and wine appreciation event at The Grocery. The event closes with a banquet at the castle at 8.30pm. There will be prizes for those with the best medieval costume.