June Fest is back again in Newbridge for its fifth year. There are it 60 events programmed over the first 3 weeks of June. Find something that excites you from fields as diverse as Music and Song, Community, Heritage, Visual Art, Theatre, Cinema, Literature, Sport, Comedy and Dance. Many of the events are free of charge . For more information on the events you can explore the June Fest website: www.junefest.ie.
Below is a list of the heritage events taking place as part of the June Fest.
7th June | Newbridge : A Wider Point of View | ADMISSION FREE Riverbank | 6.30pm
An exhibition of photographs by Vincent Brady. Two series of photographs from the 1980’s offering unique 360 degree views of Newbridge. The first series was taken from a vantage point on the roof top of Central Grill in 1980 and the second taken from the top of the silos at the entrance to the Irish Ropes factory in 1983.
June 9th – 11th | Irish Military Seminar | ADMISSION FREE Riverbank (Requires booking)
County Kildare has long, proud military traditions and connections reaching into Ireland’s fabled past and we hope to promote these connections and more. Our aim is to look at all aspects of Irish military history, from an Irish perspective, drawing chiefly on events and personnel from our nation’s past. Speakers include: Helen Litton, John Dorney, Lar Joye, Dan Harvey, James Durney, Declan Power, Justin Horgan, Wesley Bourke, Kenneth Dawson, Dr. Helene O’Keeffe and Maurice O’Keeffe of Irish Life and Lore.
There is a full programme of events for the Irish Military Seminar here.
June 13th | Game, Set and Match – A Story of St.Conleth’s Tennis Club
Ryston Social Club | 8pm | ADMISSION FREE
Frank Boland delivers a talk and a photographic history of the club, known as the “Bottom Tennis Club”, from the 1930s to the 1970s.
June 14th | Exploring Old Connell Stud
Shuttle bus from St. Conleths Church | 6:30pm | €2
A rare opportunity to visit Old Connell Stud on the 14th of June as part of Newbridge June Fest. The visit will include a presentation by Mario Corrigan about the moat and adjacent graveyard.
Admission Free but booking (through the Riverbank) is essential. Donation of €2 for shuttle bus.
www.riverbank.ie/
June 19th | Historical Walk Through Clongorey
Clongorey Club Rooms | 7pm | FREE
During the 1880 & 90’s more than 50 families were evicted from their homes and lands because they were unable to afford the rent following a three year cycle of poor weather, flooding and drought. Listen to the story of the Clongorey Evictions told by Mary Ryan and visit the exact locations of the thatched cottages which were burned to the ground.
After the walk, enjoy a light-refreshment in the clubrooms while listening to stories of growing up in Clongorey in the 1960’s & 1970’s.