Dún na Sí Heritage Park kicked off 2023 by hosting “Festival Mná” on Saturday 7th January from 10am to 4pm.
Festival Mná is a celebration of the Irish tradition of “Nollaig na mBan” or “Women’s little Christmas”. Traditionally January 6th, this was the day for women to gather and enjoy their own Christmas.
1000+ women descended on Dún na Sí where they were encouraged to step into their true feminine power. This will be facilitated by a women’s circle on the day as they attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest women’s circle in the world.
Some of the best influencers in Ireland were on board to deliver various holistic workshops on the day including yoga, breathwork, inspirational speeches, dancing, fitness classes, cacao ceremonies, card readings, reiki healings, music and more.
Kids under 12 went free and there were be a number of activities to keep them busy throughout the day
This was all in support of SoSad Ireland, mental health prevention & awareness for our sons & daughters.
We look forward to hosting Festival Mná 2023 on Saturday January 6th 2023.
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park held our Halloween Spooktacular Event in our heritage park on the 29th October. This sold out event was a huge success with over 700 people in attendance. It was the first time in three years that the event has gotten to take place. It was great to have things back to normal again and to see so many familiar faces.
The heritage park was transformed into a Halloween haunting ground which had scares around every corner. It was an evening full of gruesome and spooky surprises.
This event was a huge success thanks to our 100+ amazing volunteers and our generous sponsors.
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park carried out a
number of workshops with Ecologist George Smith.
The aim was to educate students from our local schools
on the importance of our turlough. Turloughs are
unique to Ireland and are homes to lots of different
plants and insects which the students were able to
study whilst they explored the turlough.
These workshops were supported by the community
water development fund.
The schools who took part in these workshops were:
St Oliver Plunkett – 6th Class
St. Brigid’s – 6th Class
An Grianan – 5th Class
Castledaly NS – 5th & 6th Class
Tubber NS – 6th Class
MSC – Transition Years
A huge thank you to all the schools who took part and
especially to George Smith who delivered such an
informative and hands-on workshop!
Child/Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Statement
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park (MAP CLG) is a not for profit company
whose aim is to provide a recreational, educational, cultural and environmental
space for the whole community to enjoy. Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park
provides facilities for children and young adults of all ages and abilities.
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park is governed by a board of directors (MAP
CLG) in a voluntary capacity. MAP CLG has agreed the Child Safeguarding
Statement set out in this document.
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements
under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and
Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice).
Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection:
DLP: Karen Nugent (Manager)
Deputy DLP: Olive Quinn(Board Member) Commitment to Safeguard Children/ Vulnerable Adults from Harm:
MAP CLG is committed to safeguarding the children / vulnerable adults in
our care and to providing a safe environment in which they can enjoy family
fun, play, learn and develop.
MAP CLG believes that the welfare of the children /vulnerable adults
attending our service is paramount. We are committed to child-centred
practice in all our interaction with children.
We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person
who attends our service, including the rights to be kept safe and protected
from harm.
Our policy declaration applies to all paid staff, volunteers, and students on
work placement/experience within the Company. All staff, volunteers and
students must sign up to and abide by the policies, procedures and guidance
encompassed by this policy declaration and our Child Safeguarding Policy
and accompanying procedures. Our Child Safeguarding Statement, Child Safeguarding Policy and Risk
Assessment is available on our website and will be reviewed every 2 years
or sooner if necessary, due to service issues or changes in legislation or
national policy.
Signed: Karen Nugent (Manager and DLP)
Date: 18.10.22
There are many community employment (CE) opportunities available in Dún na Sí and the Moate area! Dún na Sí owes a lot to its CE workers for helping to maintain the Parks and centre!
The benefits of community employment include:
- You get to work in your local community
- Class “A” weekly PRSI contributions
- CE is temporary, part time employment, just 19.5hrs per week
- It is possible to pursue third level or vocational degrees
- Training is available
- It is a stepping stone to employment
- Participants can take up other part time work during the CE placement
For more information on the community employment programme, watch the video here.
Ireland’s first grassroots festival bringing all our mystical wonders together.
Lovestock is aimed at providing a space to heal and unite people on the land of Eire, through the Irish arts, including music, poetry, comedy, storytelling as well as our most ancient healing tools and recipes from across the island, to celebrate and embrace love while encouraging and restoring harmony, peace and joy for our men, women, and children.
This is a cash only event, no dogs allowed due to farm animals, and no alcohol sold on premises.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an Adult
Saturday – 11am – 8:30pm
Sunday – 11am – 5:30pm
Dún Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, Moate, Co. Westmeath
24th – 25th September
Tickets can be bought at www.lovestock.ie/buy-tickets/
In association with “Great Visitor Experiences” and “The Heritage Council” we are proud to announce the launch of our Dún na Sí Heritage and Amenity Park visitor app on Monday 15th of August.
The app features additional information on our attractions including local stories and videos displaying crafts such as hay rope making, wool spinning and more.
To ensure a satisfactory visitor experience, our app content will be available in six languages: English, Irish, French, Spanish, Italian and German.
To celebrate our app launch we offered our visitors free admission to the heritage park on Monday the 15th of August. Visitors who attended the park on the 15th were the first to download the app and take a self-guided tour around the park!!
Visitors can discover Irish Heritage with attractions such as, Mass Rock, Rural Museum, Fisherman’s cottage, Hedge School, Lime kiln & more! Secure your tickets now!
About Great Visitor Experiences
Located in Bunratty, Co. Clare, Great Visitor Experiences is an Irish-based technology provider serving the visitor economy of museums, attractions and experience led businesses. Their product range includes a visitor app that brings an attraction to life and provides for a unique storytelling experience, offering content in a range of languages with an easy to use on-site digital map to navigate visitors on their journey.
The company management team has a background in tourism, heritage, technology and customer experience and has won many industry awards for ‘Best Product Innovation’, ‘Content Management Company of the Year’ and are listed as ‘One to Watch’ by Enterprise Ireland.
Other attractions using the Great Visitor Experiences App include Aillwee Burren Experience, Killarney House & Gardens, Wicklow Gaol, Loop Head Lighthouse and King John’s Castle.
Ivan states that “Right now many visitors to tourism sites are really looking for engaging and immersive content. I am delighted to have worked with the team at Dún na Sí to help bring their story to life”.
For more information on how to improve your own visitor experience, go to www.greatvisitorexperiences.com or email hello@greatve.com
Press Release: Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park
Visitors to Dún na Sí Heritage Park in Moate recently received an insight into the craft and skill of using earth and lime mortar when the replastering and repair of the replica Famine Bothan in the Park took place.
The repair works were carried out by experienced stonemason, Tom Pollard, along with his team Niall and Theo. The works were part of a Creative Ireland project, part- funded by Westmeath Arts.
As part of the project, a group of students from 6th class in St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School visited the Park and received an educational workshop from Tom and the team, before getting to try the craft for themselves. Members of the Moate Men’s Shed also visited the team throughout the project and were very interested in finding out more about the traditional methods being carried out.
Dún na Sí Heritage Park in Moate aim to preserve skills and traditions like these so that they can be passed down and enjoyed by future generations. Make sure to visit the Park throughout the season and see the completed project for yourself!
We are delighted to welcome our two newest arrivals to the Heritage Park, Peggy & Sue. they arrived with us on the 16th of May at just two months old.
They can be found at their pig sty when you visit us, they are very friendly and no doubt they will give everyone a warm welcome.
