Ballinasloe 1915 - Reimagined

A free family event with a difference is to be held in Ballinasloe next Friday and Saturday, September 18th and 19th.  St Brigid’s Heritage Group is inviting everybody to join them as they are transported back in time to Ireland 1915. Local actors will re-create the atmosphere of the period and answer any queries you have about this fascinating period in history. 

The event begins with a Culture Night Concert on Friday at 7.30pm  featuring  Club Damhsa an Sean Nós, Béal Ātha na Sluaighe, members of Blossom Harp Ensemble, All-Ireland champion dancers  the Behan sisters and local musicians including Liam Loughrey, Alan Coulihan, Johnny Johnston, Seamus Feerick  and introducing singer Ciara Lawless

There will also be an exhibition of news from the local papers and photographs from the period around 1915. A quick browse through these sources show that Ballinasloe people were fond of dancing , barely a week passing without some group organizing a dance in the Town Hall or the Wigan Hall. There’s all the news on marriages and deaths as well as a running commentary on the war which seems to grow nearer as the year goes on with reports of deaths at the front, intense recruiting and a growing possibility of conscription.

On Saturday activities will start with a 12 noon camógie match between Pearses, South Roscommon the holders, and Ballinasloe  Camógie for The Ada English Cup.

The afternoon programme from 2pm to 6pm offers a children’s corner, puppet show, vintage display, World War 1 Exhibition, a society wedding, local characters and important visitors, political movements, music, dancing and  street ballads. There will be a prize for the best period costume, a family fun quiz and the event wraps up with the Gullanes Session on Saturday night from 9pm.

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