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Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_08_05/GA_0508_E1_013.pdf
August 5 2004
Galway Advertiser
N E W S 13
Frank Clarke to officially launch HobbyCraft in Galway
BY ANDREW HAMILTON The man who claims that he can teach anyone to paint, the legendary Frank Clarke, will officially open the HobbyCraft shop in Galway this Friday and Saturday. Mr Clarke whose television series Simply Painting is broadcast all over the English speaking world will be demonstrating his skills and offering advice and tips from noon each day. HobbyCraft has been up and running in Galway for three months and has fast become the biggest craft superstore in the west of Ireland. The shop caters for people of all ages and a wide range of interests, with everything from model aeroplanes and card-making kits to candle-making sets and plasticine. Over the weekend demonstrations will also take place in such diverse areas as candle making, mosaics, and card making. HobbyCraft boasts the largest selection of Revelle model aeroplanes in Ireland and promises something to suit every member of the family. So if you feel like filling the rest of your summer with a large slice of creativity make your way to HobbyCraft this weekend. HobbyCraft is located in the Terryland Retail Park just above Petworld.
Ancient magic still to be seen at Brigit's garden
BY RONNIE O'GORMAN The growing interest in Celtic Spirituality has found a unique and totally satisfying expression in Brigit's Garden, opened to the public recently at Roscahill, between Moycullen and Oughterard. St Brigit, whose feastday is February 1 is regarded as the herald of spring in Ireland. Although she was an abbess in Kildare in the sixth century, she is confused with an ancient goddess who bestowed the gifts of agricultural abundance on her people. The miracle stories of St Brigit portray her as hospitable hostess. Some emphasise the theme of multiplication of food; either of butter to the poor, or changing her bath water into beer to satisfy the thirst of unexpected clerical visitors. Even her cows gave milk three times a day to enable some bishops to have enough to drink. Clearly the clerics of her day had a woeful thirst; but this abundance has mysteriously continued in a very happy way for Jenny Beale and her partner Colin Brown. For years Jenny had the idea of a Celtic garden in her mind, and when she bought a four-acre field at Killanin, Rosscahill, St Brigit was with her because almost immediately three adjoining parcels of land, including a ringfort, came up for sale. Now her Brigit's Garden is spread over 11 acres. And it's not a foot too much. The main section of Jenny's garden is divided into the four ancient Celtic divisions of the year, namely Lughnasa, Beltine, Samhain, and Imbolc, and represent the cycle of life. In the centre is a round stone thatched house where visitors are invited to enter and rest and spend a little time in silence. The native Irish trees, oak, hazel, ash and holly, birch, willow, apple and yew are all in evidence, and a useful booklet explains why each tree was revered by the Celts, and how they contributed to the formation of the ogham alphabet, a unique nature based language used by the Druids from the second century. The garden was designed by Mary Reynolds, a gold medal winner at the Chelsea Flower Show two years ago. Other things to watch out for and enjoy are the wind chamber, the ringfort, the sundial, a grass and mound shaped woman!, and the half-mile attractive nature walk through woodland, meadow, and lakeshore. Fresh scones are made every morning in the teahouse and shop near the entrance. Its great fun, and well planned out, and perfect for families; although there are quiet times for adults 6pm to 8pm Wednesday evenings, and on Sundays 10am to 12 noon.
Hobbycraft manager Stuart Madden and assistant manager Edward Corless prepare for the launch.