The final countdown is on to the biggest historical event in the midlands – The 225th Commemoration of ‘The Battle of Ballinamuck’ – which takes place in County Longford.
The event, which starts on Thursday, 7 September and runs until Sunday, 10 September, commemorates the last major engagement of the 1798 rebellion 225 years on.
The interest and excitement, both locally and nationally in the plans for this weekend’s events, has been tremendous, with funding provided by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through the Decade of Centenaries Programme, Longford County Council and Longford Tourism.
Following a traditional mass to remember all of those who died during the Battle of Ballinamuck at St Patrick’s Church, the festivities kick off on Thursday evening with Traditional Music in the 98 Bar and a fantastic fireworks display from Kiltycreevagh and Shanmullagh Hills, which will be seen from all around the area.
Friday will see guided tours of the various historic sites of the village setting off from the Pikeman statue in Ballinamuck, an official opening ceremony with local and French dignitaries as well as a formal living wreath laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance. The keynote speaker for the day will be historian Professor Kevin Whelan while musical entertainment will be provided on Friday night by Bríd Shaughnessy and Johnny Brady.
Saturday will see the main event of the weekend taking place with the Battle of Ballinamuck Re-enactment getting underway around 12.30pm following the arrival of troops via Humbert’s March of the 8km distance from Keeldra to Ballinamuck. Take some time to view the Living History Campsite where troops camped the night before the battle 225 years ago, enjoy the pageantry of armed uniformed personnel arriving with carts and on horseback and take part in modern history at the unveiling of the plaque in memory of General Humbert. The historical and theatrical Paddy Cullivan Show dramatizes the story of the French hero with his one man show. ‘The Year of the French’ will be staged in the 98 Hall on Saturday, while ‘Wolfe Tone’ will be staged on Sunday. Musical entertainment on the Saturday night comes courtesy of ‘The Highstool Prophets’ and ‘Rhythm & Sticks’ in the 98 Memorial Hall.
Sunday will be our Family Fun Day which includes a variety of events taking place right across the village, with something for everyone to enjoy. Activities include the recreation of the famous historical football match between Ballinamuck Kickers and the Mullahoran Dreadnoughts which was first played in 1898. Visitors can also still view the Living Campsite; peruse Country Fair Stalls along the streets; check out Kiddies Corner with a pet farm at Dillon’s Bar; get competitive in the family boules competition at The Garden of Remembrance; and sample traditional food from pig on a spit as well as traditional Irish and Ukrainian fare. Local rivalries will re-emerge with the Tug of War Tournament; and while traditional skills and crafts will also be on display with the Mobile Forge; spinning, weaving and much much more. Sunday night’s big draw will include live music with the wonderful Cronin, Mick Flavin and Nite Fever.
All event timings are subject to change with final confirmation available on www.battleofballinamuck.ie.
As the community in Ballinamuck put the last few finishing touches to its plans for this major historic event and braces itself to welcome big crowds; below we have compiled our top tips to help people prepare, get here, and enjoy this very special weekend.
Source: Longford County Council
