Healing Spirit Festival

The opening of Bridget’s Thatched Cottage and the launch of the Ruaille Buaille Druma, Ireland’s largest hand crafted wooden community drum.

Join us for a soulful and celebratory day at Bridget’s Thatched Cottage at Drummany Spirit, Cavan on Sunday 4th May from 2 to 8pm as we honour the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine.

We are celebrating the reopening of Bridget’s thatched cottage after FORTY years! .

After 40 years of quiet anticipation the heart of Bridget’s thatched cottage is reborn, reigniting its warmth and spirit in a beautifully restored hearth. This year we will gather to celebrate Bealtaine in the lovingly restored cottage, where the fire that once brought love and warmth to many will be rekindled in a special ceremony “Reigniting the Flame”. The cottage which has been thoughtfully restored with care and respect for tradition, will once again become a sacred space where community connection and new beginnings can blossom.

As the flames dance in the hearth of the cottage, the reigniting ceremony will bring together the energies of the past and present. Through ritual, song, dance and shared stories, we will celebrate not just Bridget who lived here with her brother Paddy & cousin Jim but a new chapter, a symbol of renewal, growth and connection. The heart of the fire reminds us that like the Thatched Cottage, we too can be restored and renewed no matter the years that have passed.

We are also launching The Ruaille Buaille Druma, Ireland’s largest community wooden drum. This beautiful drum. lovingly hand crafted at Drummany Spirit will bring together the heart and beat of the land, allowing 30 people to play together in connected spirit and harmony.

Féile na Bealtaine will take place at Drummany Spirit, Milltown, Co. Cavan on Sunday 4th May.

This will see the opening of Bridget’s Thatched Cottage and the launch of An Ruaille Buaille Druma, Ireland’s largest hand-crafted wooden community drum.

We have a packed schedule on the day alongside these two events.

Our opening ceremony will be a welcome gathering around An Ruaille Buaille Druma to unveil it.  The drum can accommodate up to 30 players who will create the first heartbeat rhythm to open the space.  There will be an opportunity for everyone to play the drum throughout the day.

We then will officially open Bridget’s Thatched Cottage which has been lovingly restored to its former glory.  Gearoid Teevan will welcome us all with some appropriate words and intention setting as he relights the fire in the beautiful, commissioned hearth in the cottage.  This hearth was created especially for the cottage by Blacksmith Peter Cassidy.  This ceremony will be accompanied by a heartfelt Harp performance by the very talented Karina Charles and a recital of poetry by artist Claire Falconer, the amazing artist behind the powerful artwork on An Ruaille Buaille Druma.

Following this there will be some flow and creativity time.  Deborah Doherty will lead us in a relaxing Qigong Fire Flow Circle around the drum/community space, to mark the beginning of summer. 

There will be the opportunity to take part in some stone art and also an expression space.

We then will be joined by local storyteller Daniel Downey who will entertain us with his creative, entertaining stories.

Bernie O’Reilly of the Bee Barn will join us with her bees to give us a demonstration and a talk on all things Bee.

Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland will be joining us to give a demonstration of traditional butter making and Irish bread making.  This will give us all a chance to taste and share our heritage.

Members of the Crowe family will join us for a Sean Nos demonstration which will of course lead to a workshop for anyone that is interested.

There will also be skittles set up for an old-style throw game!

We will have great live traditional music and song provided by the Killeshandra CCE & friends and we are delighted to be joined by Milltown man Ian Corrigan, our beloved local star singer.

Take the time for a guided tour of the market educational vegetable & herb garden, a slow wander for curious minds and feel the healing wisdom of the sacred land here at Drummany Spirit.

Families are at the heart of our community, and this is a space to reconnect for all ages.  Elders are welcome with great Gra and respect, we would be delighted for them to come and share their stories, presence and wisdom which are treasures to us all.

Storytime and poetry by the hearth, open mic style where we hope everyone will share a poem, tale or memory.  This is a space to listen and connect deeply.

Finally, a farewell circle and final blessing in our community gratitude circle.

Come as you are, bring your laughter, your stories, and your spirit.  Let’s reignite the flame together in heart, hearth and community. 

Drummany Spirit is a no alcohol/no drugs space.

Drummany Spirit is a registered community group with Cavan PPN. All proceeds on the day (after expenses) will be used by Drummany Spirit to continue the development of their community space.

Art work by Claire Falconer