Billed as a forerunner to The Gathering 2013 which is being rolled out internationally, the Millstreet Country Park Summer Gathering will celebrate Irish culture, history and genealogy, with traditional games, exhibitions and outdoor pursuits at the 500-acre Park.    

Millstreet Country Park will host genealogy experts, a working forge, traditional cottage, and several heritage-related activities including workshops for the duration of the weekend including ‘Foraging in The Park’ (the traditional act of wandering the land in search of food and provisions and baking or preserving what has been collected) as well as a ‘Growing Home Vegetables’ workshop and a lecture with the well-known gardening expert, Charlie Wilkins.  (See programme below).

Visitors to the Summer Gathering will be invited to take a journey into their past and trace their family roots with heritage experts by charting migration records or reviewing census information within their locality dating back to 1901. These research experts will be joined for the event by skilled craftspeople making everything from the súgan chairs, jewellery, garden furniture and a range of wooden crafts including decorative clocks, mirrors and mantelpieces – all with hand carved remarkable detail.

Commenting on the Summer Gathering, Minister for Arts, Heritage & The Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD said:  ‘We should celebrate our heritage at every opportunity, and events such as the Millstreet Country Park Summer Gathering serve to demonstrate all that is good about country life in Ireland.  Bringing communities and crafts people together in such a stunning location which has so many traditional features and attractions augurs well for the region and its economic future and I commend Millstreet Country Park’s owners for their ingenuity in staging this event.’

The Park will be on song for the duration of the weekend with various musicians popping up at various locations, while a family barbecue will include the Park’s signature venison burgers, presented by the award-winning Nibbles Restaurant which is now located at the Park and houses an artisan food shop with the best in local produce.  

The Summer Gathering’s organisers will also welcome enquiries from interested parties who wish to showcase their traditional products or services on its extensive grounds at any upcoming events.

With impressive play areas for children, the Park is also conducting eco tours throughout the weekend when families can experience the flora and fauna of the Park by rambling through the bog lands, forests and meadows, returning to the Visitor Centre in the safari buggies to finish off a great day to the strains of the grand piano in the foyer! 

Younger guests can enjoy a bouncy Castle, Puc Fada, face painting, children’s obstacle course and putting green throughout the duration of the Summer Gathering.

With a mixture of vibrancy and tranquillity, Millstreet Country Park is truly Ireland’s best kept secret.  The 500-acre Park boasts 12 miles of walking trails, remarkable gardens and water features, a red deer farm and archaeological sites dating back to the Bronze Age.  A sanctuary for walking and nature enthusiasts, tourist and day trippers, school tours and sport clubs. 

‘There are many great reasons to bring the whole family to Millstreet Country Park for this unique and enjoyable event to celebrate our Irish heritage and talent.  The Park, which is open daily, will host Summer Camps, school tours and eco tours throughout the season – another reason to visit us this summer! ’ said Donie Howard, General Manager.

Speaker platforms and demonstrations are as follows:

Saturday, 21st July

1-2pm: ‘Organic Growing and Farming’ with Tracy Jones - Garden Landscaper of Venture One Garden Centre.

2pm: Shoe Farriering with Tim Cahill

3pm – 5pm: ‘Foraging in the Park’ with Ecology Office at Millstreet Country Park Lorna O’Mahony.

Sunday, 22nd July

1-2pm: 'Desirable Plants for the Garden' with Charlie Wilkins

2-3.30pm: ‘Growing Home Vegetables’ with Michael Brenock author of ‘The Irish Gardeners Handbook’,

3.40-4.40pm: ‘Organic Growing and Farming’ with Tracy Jones Garden Landscaper of Venture One Garden Centre and much much more.....

Entrance to the Summer Gathering is priced at:  €20 per car, with special rates for students, OAPs and group rates. 

www.millstreetcountrypark.com;