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Rekindle - Festival of Lost Skills
Programme, 14-16 August 2026
Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna and Common Knowledge
Friday 14 August - Ennistymon
8.00 pm to 10.00 pm - Exhibition Launch: People of Rekindle
Courthouse Gallery. A photographic exhibition by Patrick Cross, documenting the craftspeople, elders, musicians, dancers and makers who contribute to Rekindle's intergenerational skillsharing programme. The portraits were developed through site visits, interviews and documentation sessions with participants from Clare and newcomer communities. The launch evening features traditional dancing and live music, highlighting the intercultural relationships and shared knowledge that shape the festival
Saturday 15 August - Lisdoonvarna and Common Knowledge
11.00 am - Visit to the Old Spa Well
A guided heritage walk exploring the social, cultural and geological history of the Spa Wells. This event introduces audiences to the built and intangible heritage of the area, including the Victorian-era spa culture, local traditions, and the longstanding significance of the wells as places of gathering, healing and socialising.
2.30 pm to 5.00 pm - Skillsharing Workshops at Common Knowledge
A series of hands-on traditional skills workshops at Common Knowledge, delivered by experienced craftspeople and knowledge holders. Workshops are practical, inclusive and intergenerational, creating opportunities for direct learning, exchange and cultural connection. Participants are supported by local skillsharers with equipment and materials provided. Participants will rotate through skills such as stone walling (dry stone techniques rooted in Burren heritage), scything (traditional grass-cutting and land stewardship), and weaving and spinning.
10.00 am to 4.00 pm - Peatlands in Practice: Citizen Science Workshop with Michele Taylor
A workshop exploring peatland heritage and conservation with Common Knowledge's Peatlands in Practice project.
2.30 pm to 5.00 pm - Peatlands in Practice: Bird ID, Surveying and Habitat Health Monitoring with James Corcoran Hodgins
This workshop will help participants learn to identify common peatland bird species and understand their habitats. It will also introduce basic bird survey methods and explain how bird records can contribute to a better understanding of overall peatland conditions
8.00 pm - Lasrai: The Rekindle Concert
A night of contemporary traditional music and intangible heritage, brought to life through music and dance with masters of traditional arts. Held in the Octagon venue at Common Knowledge (8.00 pm to 10.30 pm). Featuring Eoghan O Ceannabhain and Ultan O Brien, Eva Carroll and Loor Amin, and Chango.*Paid event. Tickets: https://booking.ourcommonknowledge.org/checkout/view-event/id/8749312
Sunday 16 August - Lisdoonvarna
10.00 am to 12.00 pm - Traditional Sean-nos Dance Workshop with Alice Cade at
11.00 am - Festival Day Begins!
Lisdoonvarna transforms into an outdoor demonstration space celebrating traditional crafts, everyday heritage skills and sustainable making practices. Demonstrators include basketmaking, blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, natural building, scything and clock repair. Visitors can meet skillsharers and craftspeople, observe techniques and learn about the cultural and ecological significance of these skills.
The NPWS Discovery Van is the first of its kind in the country and will serve as an important mobile point of information and education for both visitors to the Burren National Park and the wider community. The van was proposed by supervisor guide, Niall O’Reilly, to address the need for information on site in the national park. NPWS guide staff will be on hand to offer friendly advice on visiting the park as well as information on geology, flora, fauna and the hiking trail
12.00 pm to 4.00 pm - Live Music and Céilí
A community ceili featuring dancers, local musicians and visiting artists, including Ennistymon Comhaltas and the North Clare Refugee Allstars. Lisdoonvarna becomes a shared social space where residents, visitors and newcomer communities dance together. Simple steps are shown informally and all ages are welcome to take part.
1.00 pm - Parade from Lisdoonvarna Pavilion to the Square in Lisdoonvarna
Throughout the afternoon - Heritage Trail and Sessions
Workshops, talks and pop-up sessions take place across the town. Activities include short talks on biodiversity and land knowledge, storytelling sessions, seed-saving demonstrations, traditional music and opportunities to engage with local heritage organisations.
1.30 pm to 3.30 pm - Traditional Singing Workshop with Katie Theasby
1.30 pm to 3.00 pm - Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Demonstration with Sam Gleeson
4.00 pm - Session with Aoife Kelly and Family
An intergenerational session with Aoife Kelly and family.
5.30 pm to 7.00 pm - Closing Singing Session
This closing session brings singers, musicians and local tradition-bearers together for an informal evening of songs and shared repertoire.
7.00 pm - Lasrai: Closing Concert
A special night to close Rekindle at the Hydro Hotel, Lisdoonvarna (7.00 pm to 9.30 pm). Intergenerational families steeped in tradition share a stage: The Lyons Family (Ann Lynch Lyons, Aisling Lyons and Sean Lyons) and The Droneys and Aine McGrath.
*Paid event. Tickets: https://booking.ourcommonknowledge.org/checkout/view-event/id/8749312
Times to be confirmed:
At the Well: Story, Place and Built Heritage - a public conversation with Shelley McNamara (Grafton Architects) and Aindrias de Staic, facilitated by Paula Carroll, in the town's former dance hall.
Gentian Press - a tour of the printing press.
Cricket game at the Pavilion (community pitch) - Kilrush versus North Clare Cricket Club
Heritage tours of the town.
Palestinian Tatreez Workshop with Reem El Rayes.
Pop-up Gaeltacht.
Knitting Circle at the Lisdoonvarna Failte Centre.
More to be confirmed.
From the Roadside Tavern and Burren Smokehouse
Saturday 15 August
1.30 pm - Storytelling and Burren Brewery craft beer tasting with Peter Curtin. Venue: Roadside Tavern (the Snug). Max 16 people. 30 euro per person.
Sunday 16 August
11 - 4 - Market stall at the Square.
1.30 pm - Storytelling and Burren Brewery craft beer tasting with Peter Curtin. Venue: Roadside Tavern (the Snug). Max 16 people. 30 euro per person.
2.30 pm - Talk and tasting: "The Burren Smokehouse Story - A Traditional Craft and Art of Smoking rooted in Ireland and Sweden" by Birgitta Hedin-Curtin. Venue: Burren Smokehouse Visitor Centre. Free event.
Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills is funded by The Heritage Council, The Arts Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Clare County Council Clare Local Area Grant Scheme, and Clare Festivals.
For any questions or queries, you're most welcome to get in touch with Aoife and Brendan on rekindle@ourcommonknowledge.org or on 083 442 5819.