LIVING HISTORY FESTIVAL
The BOACC Ashbourne Living History Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd of April 2017 at Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club. The event opens at 10:00 AM each day and closes at 4:30 PM.
This year’s festival is part of the official Thomas Ashe Centenary Commemorations. The Festival will mark Ashbourne’s historical link to Thomas Ashe with a living history and culture showcase that commemorates and celebrates his contribution to the cause of Irish freedom and the role of the battle of Ashbourne in bringing him to prominence in 1916-1917. The Festival will consist of Living History displays, exhibitions and demonstrations in the main exhibition area in the Donaghmore/Ashbourne indoor arena. There will also be outdoor static displays of military vehicles and vintage cars. Battle re-enactments and outdoor displays will take place on Saturday and Sunday featuring the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, the 1798 Rebellion, and the 1919-21 Irish War of Independence. There will also be films and multimedia displays in the function room. To celebrate the special role of music in the life of Thomas Ashe, the festival will incorporate TradAsh the Ashbourne traditional music festival which will take place at venues throughout Ashbourne in the evenings over the course of the weekend. BOACC and TradAsh have coordinated an extensive musical line up for the festival weekend. The Festival ends on Sunday 23rd with a parade to commemorate Thomas Ashe and the Battle of Ashbourne. Admission to the main events is free and the festival is a family friendly event. Follow us here and on Facebook at Battle of Ashbourne 1916 and keep and eye and ear on your local press and radio for more details. |