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Experience life in ancient Ireland at Lough Gur site  Lough
Gur in Co. Limerick is one of the oldest inhabited sites in Ireland.
Our ancestors came from Europe in Neolithic times and settled here, raised
their children and built monuments to their gods.
The most spectacular monument is the Grange Stone Circle which was built
many thousands of years ago to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
Just like Newgrange in Co. Meath, the Grange Stone Circle is aligned to
the rising sun on the Summer Solstice, June 21.
In prehistoric times, celebrations took place to welcome the rising sun
in the Stone Circle each year and this year the local community have decided
to revive this ancient tradition.
This year’s Summer Solstice Fest promises to be bigger and better
than ever and will run from June 21-24 with events to suit everyone.
The festival will open in the Grange Stone Circle with a free picnic,
music concert, drama and song. Limerick Youth Drama will present The Colleen
Bawn (a drama set in the locality), Grange Church Choir will sing beautiful
melodies of ancient Ireland, Allunde a wonderful contemporary women’s
group will sing traditional songs and finally Cairde Ceoil will entertain
all those in attendance with music of summer.
Why not bring along a rug and picnic and enjoy music and entertainment
at its best.
This will be a real family occasion and the haunting and wonderful surroundings
of Grange Stone Circle will guarantee an evening never to be forgotten!
On Friday Sean Keane one of Ireland’s foremost traditional singers
will entertain a limited audience in the Honey Fitz Theatre.
This venue can only accommodate 100 people so it will be a very relaxed
and informal performance. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first
come first served basis. Contact (087) 2852022 for details.
On Saturday and Sunday the entertainment moves to the shores of beautiful
Lough Gur.
The Order of the Sword will establish a Norman village for both days with
medieval tents where they will display a taste of life in Norman Ireland.
Animal Magic will be on hand to show the types of animals that lived
in Ireland in the Norman period while there will be a falconry display
on both days something the children will never forget!
As well as the Norman village and battle re-enactment, there will be lots
more for children, from bouncy castles, to face painters, magicians, treasure
hunts and lots more.
Kilfinane Outdoor Educational Centre will provide kayaking and canoeing
experiences to the children on Sunday afternoon.
Local sporting teams will also compete for the Celtic Challenge Trophy.
There will then be an international barbecue competition on Sunday at
the lakeshore while Saturday will feature a number of traditional activities
such as sugan making and basket weaving.
Attendees will be entertained on Saturday by The Pure Drop, a traditional
Irish band, and on Sunday by local bands Wonderwall and Nightfall.
Entry to the lakefront on Saturday or Sunday will be ?20 per car and all
activities at the lake are then free.
Alternatively if you plan on going both days you can purchase a two-day
ticket for ?30.
The crème de la crème of the festival however will be on
Saturday night when Limerick comedian Jon Kenny hosts a fantastic show
with Sharon Shannon and her band, while other favourite bands The Roaring
’40s and Choc-a-Bloc will also be playing.
The concert will take place in Holycross Soccer Field at Reardons Pub
in Holycross, Co. Limerick and tickets cost just ?20 a head fantastic
value to see acts of this calibre.
For further details on the Lough Gur Summer Solstice Fest please phone
+353 87 285 2022 and tickets are also available on this number.
For accommodation queries please contact Bridget Davern on +353 86 3194813.
Lough Gur is located off the R512 south from Limerick City. Pass through
Ballyneety village and follow the road for a further four miles. Turn
left at Reardons Pub in Holycross.
Come along and start summer as it should be a wonderful time is guaranteed
for all!
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