Family Fun Day

Sunday 20th August 12-5pm
History's alive! Come join us for a day of fun and learning for young and old! There will be something for everyone.
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You will find us at Bandon Town Hall. Come along and bring the past to life!
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Heritage Crafts and skills - demonstrations and workshops
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Heritage Skills Demonstrations:
Basket weaving Pole Lathe Blacksmith Forge Smoking Spinning and Weaving Felting Coin Making Woodturning. Come and witness skills and crafts of yesteryear
Candle Making:
demonstration and workshop How did they see at night in 1600s? Join Ballyroe Candles and make your very own candle to take home in a safe fun way! Workshops run all day.
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Stone Wall Building Demonstration
Long Bow Demonstration
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Battle Re-enactment
Combat in a 1600's battlefield! - Rules of Engagement, Weaponry, Clothing, Food. Learn all about it here.
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The Big Dig
Join the Irish school of Archaeology and take part in 'The Big Dig' The next step in the evolution of creative and hands-on learning for the younger generation. A replica ‘Viking House’ and excavation site allows children and young adults to explore the Viking world through a simulated archaeology dig. excavation - who knows what ancient treasure you might find!
Workshops - all day - .
Follow on social media for upcoming details.
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Viking Pouch making workshop
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Monuments workshop
Come and take a walk through the past examining the world around us.
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Botanical workshop
Join Sonia artist and craft maker. Fascinated by craft practices of the past making things for practical and decorative purposes using local maerials.
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Food and Craft fair, Circus skills, interactive puppet shows, balloon-modelling, facepainting and live music brings a real celebration to Bandon this year.
Why not pick up our self-led walking trail map highlighting historical points around town. Or maybe our booklet on the history of Bandon Walls. The 1600's have never been so close!
The Big Dig (FULLY BOOKED)
by The School of Irish Archaeology
Children's Favourite 'The Big Dig' is back by popular demand! 'The Big Dig' brings the past to life through practical, interactive experiences in a hands-on learning and fun environment. Participants discover the past using simple tools and techniques that are perfectly matched to their natural curiosity and eagerness to roll up the sleeves and explore an excavation site. They learn in a fun manner, to recognise and log details of ancient artefacts, tools, bones and utensils, thus developing an understanding of Irish heritage, culture and identity.
Sessions are free but extremely limited and must be booked by either texting or emailing contacts below with children's name, contact number and preferred time slot.
(we will try to accommodate as much as we can space dependent)
Recommended age: 6-12
Time Slots:
12:00 (FULL)
12:40 (FULL)
13:20 (FULL)
14:30 (FULL)
15:10 (FULL)
16:05 (FULL)


Medieval Pouch Making Workshop
by The School of Irish Archaeology
Come along and take part in a traditional Pouch Making workshop!
Throughout the day the children will be able to make their own medieval draw-string pouch. Children will make their own pouch to take home while learning about the foul process of leather working from the initial removal of hide, to the preparation of leather in the tanner's yard, to when it is finally ready for wearing. The gory, mucky details of this process are always a big hit!
The leather used is imitation leather and SIA provides
all materials for the event which the children take home.
Sessions are free but extremely limited and must be booked by either texting or emailing contacts below with children's name, contact number and preferred time slot.
(we will try to accommodate as much as we can space dependent)
Recommended age: 6-12
Time Slots:
12:00
12:40
13:20 (3 spaces left)
14:30
15:10 (FULL)
16:05 (1 slot left)