Lough Ree Environmental Summer Festival 2012
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From the Chairperson
Welcome to the 15th Lough Ree Environmental Summer Festival, launched in style by celebrated writer and journalist John Waters in an open air performance in the Commons Quarry. This year we focus on the rich natural heritage and celebrate the great outdoors with Bushcraft camping and Wooly Wards Pet Farm for children and a Royal Canal trip with Dick Warner and a Herbalist Workshop for the grown ups. There will be glass painting classes and a young scientist competition, titled Science Helping the Environment for local students in collaboration with Abbott Longford. We hope you will take part and enjoy the few days entertainment on offer.
Abbott Longford – Main Sponsor
Throughout its history of more than 120 years, Abbott have been driven to advance medical science to help people live healthier lives. A global, broad-based healthcare company, its history is filled with examples of first-of-a-kind products and significant technological advancements. Abbott are big supporters of Ireland’s next generation of scientists through its Family Science programme and Operation Discovery programmes for primary and secondary school children respectively. In 2004, Abbott Diagnostics operations in Ireland expanded with the opening of a second facility in Longford. The plant was first occupied in December 2004. Abbott Diagnostics Longford wishes the Lough Ree Summer Festival 2012 every success.
The Programme
PLEASE NOTE: All trips start from the Lough Ree Co-Op, including, walks, camping, bus and boat trips.
All events are dependent on weather conditions and participation levels.
Thursday 9th August
| Brushstrokes Exhibition in St. Mary’s Hall, from 10am – 6pm | FOC |
| Shannonside Camera Club Exhibition in the Lough Ree Co-Op, from 10am – 6pm | FOC |
| Photographic Workshop facilitated by Michele McGee in the Lough Ree Co-Op, from 2pm – 6pm | €5 |
| Kid’s Bushcraft Camping (aged 8 – 12) facilitated by Stephen O’Neill in the Commons North Woods for half day, from 10am-2pm | €10 |
| Historical Tour of Lanesborough by John Casey, starting at Lough Ree Co-Op at 5pm | FOC |
| Stained Glass Workshop (3 evenings) facilitated by Patricia Cox in the Lough Ree Co-Op, at 7pm | €20 for 3 classes |
| Woodland Walk by Sue Moles in the Commons North Woodland Trail, at 8pm | €5 |
| Traditional Music by local artists in Clarkes Bar, starting at 10pm | FOC |
Friday 10th August
| Art, Photography & Young Scientist Exhibitions in Lough Ree Co-Op and St. Mary’s Hall all day, from 10am – 6pm | FOC |
| Indoor Market in St. Mary’s Hall, from 11am – 2pm | FOC |
| Kid’s Lake Trip facilitated by the Lough Ree Sub-Aqua Club, check in at Lough Ree Co-Op, starts from Harbour, from 12noon – 1pm | €5 |
| Kid’s Craft Workshop (aged 4 – 8) by Therese Tierney in Lough Ree Co-Op, from 2pm – 3pm | €5 |
| Kid’s Bushcraft Camping (aged 12 – 16) facilitated by Stephen O’Neill on Lake Island, from 2pm – All Night | €20 |
| Woodland Walk by Sue Moles in the Commons North Woodland Trail, at 6pm | €5 |
| Stained Glass Workshop (2nd Evening of 3) facilitated by Patricia Cox in the Lough Ree Co-Op, at 7pm | €20 for 3 classes |
| Newtowncashel Historical Tour by Declan Gilmore, starts with bus from Lough Ree Co-Op to Newtowncashel, at 7pm | €5 |
| Herbalist Workshop by Sue Moles in the Lough Ree Co-Op, at 8pm | €5 |
| Poetry Reading by Lasraí Writers Group in the Lough Ree Co-Op, at 9pm | FOC |
| Table Quiz in Yacht Bar, starting at 10pm | €10 per person |
Saturday 11th August
| Art, Photography & Young Scientist Exhibitions in Co-Op and St. Mary’s Hall all day, from 10am – 6pm | FOC |
| Opening of Craft Shop by Lord Mayor in Lough Ree Co-Op, at 12noon | FOC |
| BunnyHop Olympics Story Show (aged 3 – 8) in Lanesborough Library, from 10am – 11:30am | FOC |
| The Gold Medal Story Show (aged 8 – 11) in Lanesborough Library, from 12noon – 1pm | FOC |
| Royal Canal Cruise from Kilashee to Clondra, facilitated by Dick Warner, starts with bus from Lough Ree Co-Op to Kilashee, from 12noon – 6pm | €20 (€40 family ticket) |
| Electric Car Demo by ESB in Lanesborough Car Park, from 2pm – 4pm | FOC |
| Mosstown Mill Tour by Paddy Egan, starts with bus from Lough Ree Co-Op to Kenagh, from 2pm – 5pm | €5 |
| Rainwater Harvesting Seminar by Rainwater Harvesting Ireland in the Lough Ree Co-Op, from 3pm – 4pm | FOC |
| Stained Glass Workshop (3rd Evening of 3) facilitated by Patricia Cox in the Lough Ree Co-Op, at 7pm | €20 for 3 classes |
| Young Scientist Judging with Abbott Longford and Athlone IT in the Lough Ree Co-Op at 9pm | N/A |
| Live Music in the Lifebelt Bar, starting at 10pm | FOC |
Sunday 12th August
| Art & Photography Exhibitions in Co-Op and St. Mary’s Hall all day, from 10am – 6pm | FOC |
| Vintage Car Rally by the Vintage Rally Group in the Lough Ree Co-Op & Car Park, from 10am – 6pm | FOC |
| Environmental Mass in Ballyleague Church, at 11am | FOC |
| Wooly Wards Pet Farm in the Lanesborough Car Park, from 12noon – 4pm | FOC |
| Bogland Walk by David Fallon on the Lough Bannow Walk, from 1pm – 2pm | €5 |
| Strokestown House Tour, starts with bus from Lough Ree Co-Op to Strokestown, from 2pm – 6pm | €10 |
| Tea & Biscuits & Wrap Up of Week in the Lough Ree Co-Op, from 6pm | FOC |
Programme Features
Young Scientist Competition
As part of our programme during the Summer Festival this year, and in conjunction with Abbott Longford, we are hosting a Young Scientist Competition titled Science Helping the Environment on the 10th and 11th August 2012. It is open to all second-level students and encourages a love of science through enquiry-based learning and provides an opportunity for students to display their scientific discoveries. There will be two categories, one for under 14 and another for the over 14 age group.
This is the first of this type of competition in Ireland and already has a massive interest within the secondary schools in the Midlands. It is hoped in future years to make this into the premier environmental young scientist competition in the country. Competition is open to all secondary schools in the Midlands and will be judged by personnel from Athlone IT and Abbott Longford. Projects will be displayed in the Lough Ree Co-Op building during the festival.
Royal Canal Trip
A Royal Canal trip with Dick Warner promises to be one of the finest trips of its kind in Ireland. Starting at the Co-Op building in Lanesborough, you will be bused to Killashee where you will enjoy a cheese and wine reception along with a quick review of Killashee and its area from a local character. After boarding the barge you will begin your trip down the canal through locks and raised bridges. This will be followed by dinner onboard accompanied with music by local artists. The trip will terminate at Clondra where a bus will take you back to Lanesborough.
Wooly Wards Pet Farm
Wooly Wards Pet Farm introduce a selection of their animals – sheep and lambs, goats and kids, chickens, rabbits, pigs, hamsters and guinea pigs! There will also be a 20min show featuring the animals. Wooly Wards concentrate on bringing the children and animals together using a hands-on interactive approach that’s fun and engaging, while getting the children involved in a range of activities such as leading, feeding, petting and grooming. These activities are designed to educate children and develop an understanding of the animals and their care.
Bushcraft Camping
The “bushcraft experience” is a novel way of introducing young people to nature. For 8 to 12-year-olds there’s a half day course and for 12 to 16-year-olds, an overnight camping /survival trip on one of the islands. Facilitated by one of Ireland’s leading bushcraft specialists, Stephen O’Neill.
“Stepping forwards from where ordinary survival training ends, wilderness bushcraft is the detailed knowledge that can enable us to experience nature in a more indigenous way: a way that demands we open our eyes and other senses, and pay the closest attention to the world around us.” Stephen O’Neill
Herbalist Workshop
As a local wildlife ranger and qualified herbalist, Sue Moles has an extensive knowledge of the flora along the shores of Lough Ree. In an evening workshop Sue will impart her knowledge on local herbs and how to use them for healing purposes – the identification, preparation, and application of medicinal herbs.
Glass Painting Workshop
Patricia Cox, an experienced glass and textile artist will facilitate a 3-evening workshop. The first of its type in the Midlands it promises to be one of the most sought after workshops on the programme. Patricia is influenced by Irish mythology and early Irish Christianity and has been frequently commissioned for her work.
Kids’ Lough Ree Trip
A fast-paced trip on Lough Ree with the local sub aqua club promises to be a thrilling experience for children. The lake affords a wealth of interesting sights between the shoreline and the islands. The trip will use two powerful rib boats and feature a mock rescue to see the local search and rescue team at their best.
The Facilitators
Dick Warner is a writer, broadcaster and environmentalist. He has published books on trees, angling and the inland waterways and is a regular contributor to a number of magazines. He is probably best known to the general public for his television documentary series such as Spirit of Trees, Ironing the Land and Waterways.
Stephen O’Neill is an NCFE level three bushcraft instructor. He trained originally as an outdoor pursuit instructor and has many qualifications in this field. He also works in social care with young persons in crisis and has a love of history and the natural world. He feels that bushcraft is something that can help an individual realize potential that they may never have thought was there.
Sue Moles is a Longford wildlife ranger. She has an extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna along the shores of Lough Ree. Sue has worked with the local community on the development of the woodland walks and is a qualified herbalist.
Patricia Cox from Carrickboy, Co. Longford has a long interest in arts and crafts. Her main interest lies in textiles and craft – knitting, crochet, embroidery, beadwork and stained glass. Her textile and glass work is influenced by Irish mythology and early Christianity.
Wooly Wards Farm is a mobile farm run by sisters Mary and Helen Ward, who have a wealth of experience with children and animals. Mary and Helen grew up on a Co. Dublin farm. Mary went on to study agriculture while Helen pursued a career in dress design. In recent years, Helen had her own Montessori school and Mary worked in IT. They set up their farm when they saw the level of interest children had with farm animals.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua was founded in 1993 to help people become divers and carry out searches of local lakes and rivers. It is one of the few clubs to have a dedicated rescue centre, on the banks of the Shannon. It owns a Tornado 5.5 boat with a 115 H.P. engine with the relevant safety equipment. All divers are members of the Civil Defence and are fully qualified.
Therese Tierney originally from Dublin has a diploma in Graphic Art & Design at BCFE. She has taught children arts and crafts for many years before completing a Community & Management course. She is also a member and facilitator of Brushstrokes.
Brushstrokes Art Group formed in 1995 and has around 30 members. The group meet every week and work in a variety of mediums. They hold two exhibitions a year in Lanesborough and currently exhibit in B-Snug Cafe in Lanesborough and the new craft shop in the Lough Ree Development Co-Op.
Shannonside Camera Club started in 2009 to cater for local photographers and to exchange ideas and information. The club have field trips, participate in competitions and have exhibited at many local events.
Declan Gilmore is a Newtowncashel historian and keen environmentalist. A local businessman who has an in depth knowledge of local history and a keen interest in nature and the environment.
Lasraí Writers Group formed in 1995 and currently has around 10 members. Their first book, an anthology of their prose and poetry was published last summer.
Friday Indoor Market is run by local people keen to display their crafts and produce – jewellery, cosmetics, home-baked goods, art and bric-a-brac. Tea/coffee and sandwiches are served free of charge.
John Casey is a local historian and member of Shannonside Heritage. John has published a number of books on local history, including Lanesborough-Ballyleague, A living History 1939-1955 and Pathways to the Past – Rathcline.
Paddy Egan from Glanmore, Kenagh, Co. Longford is an active member of the Longford Historical Society, Longford Heritage Forum and Longford Tourism. He has a Diploma in Local History from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Paddy has been closely associated with the Lough Ree Summer Festival since it began in 1998.
David Fallon has been working as an ecologist for a number of years with Bord na Mona. His role involves conducting a baseline ecological survey of all the bogs within Bord na Mona’s ownership. He is also involved in various rehabilitation projects on cutaway sites.
Rainwater Harvesting Systems Ireland are leading distributors for resource and money-saving harvesting systems. One example is the RainDirector, a fully computerised system for water recycling, gravity flow and a smart header tank that uses all the water before refilling and more features.
Vintage Rally Group was established in January 2005 and to date they have over 70 members of all ages. The group brings together like minded people with an interest in vintage transport and farm machinery. Their main objectives is to preserve Longford’s vintage vehicle heritage.
Festival Enquiries:
Lough Ree Development Co-Op
Main Street, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.
Tel: 043 33 27070
Fax: 043 33 27042
Email: info@loughree.ie
The committee extends a warm thanks to all our sponsors, without whose help this festival would not be possible.
Abbott Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Longford County Council, ESB, Bord na Mona, Lanesborough-Ballyleague Credit Union, and Lough Ree Development Co-Op