It's festival time in Clara with music, culture and community
The town of Clara is set to come alive with a vibrant celebration of culture, nature, and community as it hosts not one, but two major peatland-themed festivals from June 19 - 22.
The beloved Bog Trotters Festival returns, this year joined by the inaugural Bog Bothy Festival, presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation.
This free, family-friendly weekend promises an exciting programme of walks, talks, discussions, artist in residencies, (Luke Casserly) interactive craft workshops, ancient skills demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, food, and celebration, all in honour of Clara and Offaly’s unique peatland landscape.
Workshops presented by Tina Claffy, Kate Flood, Hanna Jones, Laurence O’Reily, Mary Delaney, Ciara Egan, and more.
Events will take place across two stunning locations: the historic Clara House Estate and the new Bog Bothy in the Erry Hills, which offers panoramic views of Clara Bog, one of Ireland’s most important raised bogs.
Festival Schedule Highlights:
Four days of workshops, talks, presentations.
Thursday, June 19
Festival Launch at the newly unveiled Bog Bothy, opening four days of events spotlighting our connection to the peatland landscape.
Friday, June 20
Live music and entertainment at the Bog Bothy (full artist line-up online).
Saturday, June 21 – Special Summer Solstice Celebration at Clara House Estate
From 4PM:
Hands-on blacksmithing and woodturning demos with artisans Oisín Feery, Jamie Smith, and TikTok-famous Wood Turner Eoin Reardon, known as “pintofplane”
Unique exhibition of knives forged from bog ore. Pre-booking to partake in demonstrations is advised via Eventbrite or by [email protected].
Children’s activities include face painting and traditional horse and cart rides.
Musical performances by Rahan Comhaltas and the Clara Town Band during the craft demonstrations.
6:15 PM - A dramatic Solstice Fire Ceremony with local Scouts and former Minister Pippa Hackett, carry fire down the river to light the ceremonial flame, with performances from the Handy Stage School.
Free Evening BBQ cooked by Island Foods, followed by an eclectic music line-up, including: Pippa Molony & Rory Sweeney – Alternative Folk
Barnburne – Experimental Electronic Music with Pippa Molony & Aoife Wolf Ever After – One of the Midlands’ best-loved family bands (The Cousins)
Sunday, June 22
A gentle close to the festival with a Farewell Tea Party at Clara House from 2PM.
Camping is available on-site.