“Weekend of Wishful Thinking”- join us in Fore for a wonderful mix of guided tours, quirky workshops and wonderful speakers.
Opening on Saturday at 11 am with ‘Words can Change Worlds’ – with Lorraine Murphy, the stunning Mullingar Mum will share the story of she dramatically overturned Government policy that was failing deaf children and who was part of the pressure group that secured €3.2 million from the HSE to improve the lives of children needing cochlear implants.
This talk is followed by a fun interactive workshop on Conflict at 12.30 called ‘Who gets the last sweet? An eejits guide to resolution’ facilitated by Communications Trainer Úna D’Arcy (who will also provide a limited supply of sweets). At 2pm Senator Paul Gavan, a native of Fore, will be speaking on ‘A Living Wage’ and what needs to happen at local level to deliver this. This series of talks concludes with Westmeath’s Cathaoirleach, Frank McDermott, the longest serving county councillor in the country. Frank’s contribution is called ‘All politics is local’ and he will be sharing some of his amazing stories from a lifetime in politics and his life in Fore.
From 11am on Saturday, Blathnaid and Cliodhna Daly will be teaching Ukulele workshops, maximum number 6 and instruments are provided. Bartle D’Arcy is facilitating a tourism masterclass at 12 that will look at all the elements that you should include to promote your area. Martina Dalton demonstrating how to transform wishes into actions with Vision Board Workshops at 2pm. Mindfulness practitioners Ursula Meehan and Brigid Corrigan have designed a workshop for this event called ‘The Mindful Way’ at 4pm. On Saturday and Sunday there are guided tours of the area every hour on the hour including walking workshops on Sunday with Bartle D’Arcy at 12 and 2pm, photography, a walking workshop with Thomas Gibbon at 1pm and a Foraging walking workshop with Octavia Tulloch at 1pm.
For families with young children the best thing about this weekend will be the Guardian Quest on the Saturday. Adults are free because as we all know, adults will not be able to see the fairies in Fore that the children are helping. The cost is €10 a child and family tickets are costed at €20 up to three children. This quest is designed to fire children’s imagination and introduce them to all the amazing stories of Fore. The children will solve a series of tasks that will help prepare the magical part of Fore for the summer and will learn all about the art, science, history, magic and mystery of Fore.
Other events on in north Westmeath over the weekend include the Outdoor Mass in Fore on Friday evening celebrated by Fr Patrick in the handsome ruins of the Abbey in Fore, Peter Pan in Tullynally Castle and the Lough Lene Gaels Family Fun Day on Sunday at the pitch in Collinstown.
