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The Ionad Deirbhle Heritage
Centre situated 11 miles from Belmullet, at the southern tip of
the Mullet peninsula. It was officially opened on August 13th 1997
by Her Excellency Mary Robinson, President of Ireland. Located in
one of the most stunningly beautiful and unspoiled landscapes in
Ireland. The centre houses a wealth of information and gives the
visitor a valuable insight into the lifestyle, local folklore, archaeology,
history and portrays graphic images of a former way of life such
as, the construction of houses native to this area, and the life
of the Curragh fishermen who risked and often lost their lives on
the stormy Atlantic to feed the community.
The the overall plan of the building emulates
that of the traditional type of house found on the Inis Geidh Islands,
the centre houses a craft and coffee shop. On display are a pair
of creels (pannier baskets) traditionally made from sally rods grown
locally. Creels were attached in pairs across a donkey's back and
used to carry loads of turf, seaweed and potatoes
The making of patchwork quilts from cotton
scraps and used as bedcovers, was much practiced as in other parts
of Ireland, almost every house had a quilting frame. The making
of straw hats, as worn by straw boys, this was a tradition carried
on in many parts of Ireland it was the tradition for straw boys
to come and dance at weddings, they usually arrived in the late
evening. They had conical hats and capes woven from straw as well
as straw masks and straw tied around their legs. They took no refreshment
nor did they speak, they usually stayed for about half an hour,
danced with everyone and left. |
