takes place May Bank Holiday from Wednesday May 1st - Mon. May 6th, 2019
Thursday 29th April
10.30am: Schools farm walk on Castlemine Farm
12.30pm: Public farm walk on Castlemine Farm
Take a stroll around Castlemine Farm and you will be intrigued by the speciality breeds of Irish, British and Scottish cattle on the farm to include Angus and Hereford breeds. All lambs are born on the farm making the rearing and breeding of livestock a truly ‘hands on’ affair. This tour will give you a flavour of a ‘Return to Basics traditional style farming approach’. Both walks are weather permitting. Please wear appropriate clothing for walking outdoors.
Admission free – register here
3.00pm: Kitchen Garden Walk – Antogher Road
Kitchen garden walk takes place at Sunflower Organic Farm on Antogher road. Guided tour of organic vegetable garden with polytunnel. Early potatoes/veg in tunnel. Broad range of veg in outdoor raised beds. Compost bins, leaf mould, seed saving, unusual varieties of potatoes including ‘All Blue’- a blue fleshed variety. Learn how to avoid the carrotfly and to deal with slugs without resorting to poisons! The garden is run by Gerry and Richard Browne on behalf of the Brothers of Charity in Roscommon.
Admission free – register here
8.00pm: Art Exhibition – Old AIB Bank, Church Street
Official opening by Paul Leyden published Roscommon poet – who will recite some of his poems in a special reading. Exhibiting works from local artists. Attendees are invited to take part in our Sheep Farm Photo Competition open to everyone. Prize for best photograph – so get snapping!
Admission free – register here
Friday 30th April
10.00pm – 2.00pm: RLF 2010 Farmers Market – Market Square
The Roscommon Farmers Market is now an established showcase for quality local food produce, allowing customers the opportunity to source quality products direct from the producer. As part of the Lamb Festival we will have Cooking Demonstration from Gary O Hanlon – Head Chef from VM Restaurant, Viewmount House, Longford and a Butchery Demonstration including Lamb Sausage Making, from award winning butcher James McGeough from Galway.
7.00pm: RLF 2010 presents GAA U-12 Blitz in Douglas Hyde Park
County Roscommon Disability Support Group Ltd U-12 Football Blitz Parade led by Castlerea & Brass Band from Lanesboro Road through Roscommon Town out to Hyde Park where an official opening will take place followed by light refreshments. The assembly point for the parade is Cluain Fraoigh Retail Park Lanesboro Road Roscommon at 6.30. Grand Marshall for the evening Danny Murray (Captain Roscommon 1980 All-Ireland Team). The games start on Saturday morning at 10a.m. Finals on Sunday starting at 10am.
9.30pm – 12.30am: RLF 2010 presents
Roscommon Gaels Youth Disco in the Hyde Centre
Roscommon Gaels in association with Roscommon Lamb Festival 2010 are holding a youth disco in the Hyde Centre. No alcohol served. Great music and DJ. Tickets available from the Hyde Centre on the night.
Saturday 1st May
10.00am – 4.00pm:
RosWIN – Women in Business Fair – Festival Marquee
A spring showcase from the Roscommon Women In Business Network – highlighting the diverse range of businesses in Roscommon. There will be advice, skincare analysis, massages, counselling, art and crafts and many more on the day as well as the opportunity to experience the achievements and variety of businesses the women in business and RosWIN members offer. More to follow…
6.00pm: Teen Student Fashion Expo in Gleesons
with guest MC – 2FM’s Ruth Scott
Transition year students from Roscommon Schools will take part in a Wool themed fashion expo. Student Fashion Expo of Sculptural Costumes, made from recycled materials with the theme of lamb as the inspiration for weird and wonderful creations! Students who wish to participate contact Stephanie Cuddy Cullen on 086 875 3633. A fantastic opportunity to witness future fashion designers and a showcase of talent in Roscommon.
8.00pm: BBQ Brazilia and Irlanda – Festival Marquee
One of the highlights of RLF 2010 with fantastic food – brazilian atmosphere served from 8pm to 10pm. Then party the night away with May Eve Dancing – music by Defcon 5 from 9pm – 12pm. We will also have a special table as a reception for the International Sheep Dog Trials competitors who are travelling from all over the world to compete in Sunday’s trials.
€15 adults / €5 children
9.00pm: Festival of the Fires Bonfire at Rathcroghan
Part of the Festival of the Fires 2010 and the rebirth of the historic Bealtaine Festival, co-ordinated by community groups around 16 counties, which started at Uisneach last year (see www.festivalofthefires.com). Gather at Rathcroghan Car Park, 9pm.
Sunday 2nd May
2.00pm: RLF 2010 Family Fun Sunday in the Park
A jam packed day awaits all the family with a full menu of activities taking place in Loughnaneane Park in the full glory of Roscommon Castle. Linking up with the Wool Craft Village in the Square and the International Sheepdog trials in Walsh’s Field – there will be something for everyone as we showcase family fun, heritage and food all in one place! Facepainting, balloon moodelling, music, pony rides, dancing and entertainment. Admission is free – so bring all the family. Click here for more information.
2.00pm – 6.00pm : Wool Craft Village
New to the Lamb Festival this year is the Wool Craft Village which will take place in the Festival Marquee on the Square. There will be much to see and do, exhibitors selling specialist supplies for all your knitting needs, sheep shearing demonstrations, an interactive knitting circle and numerous demonstrations from leading artists and groups to introduce you to lots of new techniques with wool.
Highlights of the Wool Craft Village include:
• Wool Village Market with experts selling all types of wool, patterns & pattern books, needles & accessories for all your knitting/crochet needs.
• Demonstrations in feltmaking, weaving, knitting, natural dyeing of wool and crochet throughout the afternoon.
• A group of spinners spinning the freshly sheared wool for knitting and you will have the opportunity to join in and learn how to spin yourself.
• Members of the Roscommon knitting circle, The Cast Offs, will form a large knitting circle which you can join in on. Some wool and needles will be available but if you have any of your own be sure to cast on and come along! We hope to have enough knitted/crocheted squares to stitch together and display at the end of the festival.
• Fibre Artist Fran Crowe will demonstrate her tapestry weaving and also natural dyeing of wool.
• Merrove Guiren will be running an interactive weaving demonstration
