St John's group to host special heritage day

St John's Parish Heritage Group, with sponsorship from the Heritage Council, is organising a series of free events on Sunday, August 22, in the historic deserted Norman town of Rinn Duin at St John's, Lecarrow, starting at 2pm. The Mayor of Roscommon, Luke Flanagan, is opening the day which will be followed by a children's medieval trail and a self guided walk along the newly developed National Looped Trail to seven major sites including the Royal Castle, hospital, bee bole, windmill, parish church, Viking harbour and townwall where appropriately dressed local guides will be available to chat to visitors. At the same time, beside the recently restored tower, there will be medieval archery demonstrations. Ethel Kelly from the Knockcroghery Clay Pipe Museum will be making pipes. There are two field wall building courses during the day, including how to use lime mortar. Tea with a local band playing traditional Irish music will be available from 3pm. In the adjoining old St John's cemetery two local luminaries, Sean Grady and Pat Grady, will be able to tell you who you might be related to in the parish as well as where they are buried. The detailed programme is: 11- 1pm: Field wall building course 2 pm: Official Opening by Luke Mayor 'Ming' Flanagan 2.15pm: Clay pipe making with Ethel Kelly 2.15pm: Field wall building course 2.15 pm: Medieval Archery 2.30pm: Children's medieval trail 2.30pm: Self guided walk 'with a difference': Chat to an all star cast in varying disguises, including Paddy Kilduff, Owen O'Connor, Christopher Keane, Barry Minagh, Liam Byrne, Paddy Diffley, Paul O'Cassidy as Turlough O'Conor, Mary Mullally Keane, Áine Connaughton, Sam Wark, Regina Donlan, Margaret Egan, Eamon Leonard, Michael Connaughton, Joe Connaughton, Elizabeth Donlan, Ann Connaughton and Ciaran Egan with even more locals as the supporting cast From 2.30pm: 'Who Do You Think You Are' with Sean Grady and Pat Grady in the Old St John's Graveyard From 3pm : Tea with Irish Music 4pm: Lime Mortar Demonstration by Rainey and Co