Come and meet the team from the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life at the National Ploughing Championships, Ratheniska, Portlaoise, Co Laois, taking place from 19 to 21 September 2023.
Reprensenting the Council of National Cultural Institutions (CNCI), we are part of an exciting and vibrant offering by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media at this year's event.
It is all happening in the Culture, Creativity, Innovation and Sport Marquee, at Block 3, Row 23 within the Government of Ireland Village.
Tom Doyle from the Museum's Education Department will be there throughout the three day event offering harvest knot demonstrations. These knots of woven straw were traditionally crafted and worn as part of the harvest celebration. They were also sometimes exchanged as tokens of affection. Women wore them in their hair and men attached them to clothes on their chest.
Have a go at making your own harvest knot and enjoy many other highlights in the Culture, Creativity, Innovation and Sport Marquee including: virtual reality golf and kayaking experiences; immersive VR demonstrations by Screen Ireland; a National Archives exhibition about Ireland at the League of Nations 1923-1946; a large scale public participation project about knitting and wool by Creative Ireland; percussion workshops with the National Concert Hall; and a full programme of music performances.
Speaking ahead of the Ploughing Championships, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media, Catherine Martin, said:
Arts, culture and sport has strong representation at the National Ploughing Championships again this year with a fantastic line up of events and experiences planned. Talented musicians from many different backgrounds and traditions will be a great source of entertainment to the visiting audience over the three days of the event. While experiences such as virtual reality and augmented reality will allow visitors to immerse themselves in new creative technologies. In addition to our craft, music workshops and exhibits, the Marquee has something for everyone to enjoy."
Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, said:
It is wonderful to see the Department’s programme of events for the National Ploughing Championships this year. I am particularly pleased to see that Sport Ireland will be showcasing their wide range of services and activities and will be on hand to promote opportunities in sport and provide visitors with information on the work of the National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and Trails. I wish everyone involved in the Department’s marquee great success for the three days of the event.”