An historical family fun day to support the opening of Ardee Castle gets underway in Ardee at 3pm today.
There will be a family picnic in the park, a fancy dress parade and a walk to the castle, followed by a walk to the River Dee for a re-enactment of Ferdia’s battle.
All are welcome to attend.
This year’s Táin March gets underway this day next week on Thursday June 5th and runs until Sunday June 8th.
The march wil take place from Ardee to Cooley and all are invited to get involved.
The proceedings will commence at 6pm on Thursday with the gathering of Maeve’s army at Ardee. There will be street fun and food served as the event is launched in Ardee Castle with a talk on the Táin epic.
The march then gets underway from Ardee the next day at 10am, arriving in Tallanstown at 12.30pm. There there will be a briefing at important locations relating to the Táin by Prof Paul Gosling.
At 1pm the march will depart Tallanstown towards Louth Village, arriving at Stephenstown Pond at 4.30pm for a re-enactment of events from the Táin.
Then at 7.30pm there will be a fascinating talk by archaeologist Professor Paul Gosling, entitled ‘Táin Bó Cúailgne & the Fords of the River Fane’. It will be followed by light refreshments and social interaction by the camp fire.
The march will then depart Knockbridge on Saturday morning at 10am towards Dundalk, stopping at Cúchulainn’s Stone at 10.30am for an information talk by Prof Gosling, who will also give a talk at Cúchulainn’s Castle at 1.30pm.
At 2pm the group will march through Dundalk town, holding a compelling re-enactment of warrior battle at the Market Square with live music by Glasheen at 2.30pm.
The army will then depart Dundalk towards the Navvy Bank at 3.30pm before sailing across Dundalk Bay, where they will enter Bellurgan Park and Tipping’s Wood at 5.30pm.
Refreshments for the army will be served soon after at the Lumper’s Bar in Ravensdale.
On Sunday the army will depart Ravensdale at 10am, gathering at Glenmore before commencing their march over the Cooley Mountains at 1.45pm. They will then descend into the village of Carlingford at 3.45pm where a re-enactment will be held at 4pm, followed by a welcome feast soon after.
For further details call Tim Mullins on 086-8184952 or Sinead Roche in Dundalk Tourist Office at 087-2463866.
Further details are also available at www.tainmarch.net
Talk of the Town 