All-Ireland Mushroom Festival at Killegar House

25 September, 2011.

Have you ever walked through fields and woodlands during Autumn and wondered which of the mushrooms you see growing would be safe to eat and which are best avoided? Here is your chance to find out! You can be part of the first ever, All-Ireland Mushroom Festival to be held in the grounds of the enchanting Killegar House, Carrigallen, CountyLeitrim, on 25 September, 2011.

Specialists from the Irish Mycologists’ Society and the Northern Ireland Fungus Group (NIFG) will lead small groups on guided forays throughout the day. Experts will share their knowledge not only of mushrooms but of the woodlands, local flora, the birdlife and wildlife that is found in the area.  Monaghan Mushrooms, Ireland’s largest producer, will have a display of mushrooms at different stages of cultivation.

Bear Essential’s travelling Teddy Bear hospital will be on hand to tend ailing teddies. Curators Rob and Moira Steinke from the Museum of the Master Saddler, the only museum in the world dedicated to the ancient craft of saddlery and harness making, will exhibit traditional hand-stitching, harness-making techniques and their two miniature Shetland ponies,

Heather Bothwell will set up a moth trap (moths and weather permitting) and Aidan Brady, of the Cavan Bee Keepers Association, will bring his glass observation bee-hive to demonstrate and discuss bee-keeping. Vivienne Mayne of Jera Baskets will demonstrate how to weave baskets. Vivienne will give three workshops for children throughout the day.

Various lectures throughout the day include: The Wonderful World of Mushrooms, The Edible Assassin, Fairy forts, A Mushroom a Day Keeps the Doctor Away??, Nature’s Way 

Gates open 09.30 – Close 18.00.  Ticket prices: Entry Fee €15 per person, €5 students/OAPs/unwaged. Family tickets €35 (two adults and two children). Guided forays (places strictly limited) are an additional cost of €15 per person, €5 students/OAPs/unwaged. Family tickets €35.

For further details contact check www.Killegar.net or email KillegarMushroomFestival@googlemail.com.

You can book your ticket and your place on a guided foray in advance by email.

Advance ticket purchase will soon be available on-line. Check website for details.