The Dry Stone Walling Association of Canada (Dry Stone Canada) is in full preparation mode for the 2015 Dry Stone Festival.
The event will take place from September 25 - 27th on Amherst Island in Lake Ontario 30 km west of Kingston Ontario
This year they are collaborating with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Ireland to celebrate and commemorate Canada’s rich Irish cultural heritage.
Amherst Island has one of Canada’s largest concentration of historic dry stone walls, some close to 200 years old, most built by original settlers from Ireland. Efforts are underway to have the site designated as a National Historic Site due to the significance of these cultural heritage structures.
There will be a 2-day workshop on dry stone wall construction featuring various Irish dry stone wall techniques that will be incorporated into one permanent new wall. The finished wall will include a time capsule installed by the Ambassador to Canada from Ireland, Ambassador Ray Bassett.
This event is completely open to the public.
Dry Stone Canada’s Irish-Canadian Dry Stone Festival 2015 Public Activities Schedule
A shuttle bus will provide transport on Amherst Island to the various venues.
Friday, September 25th
Neilson Store Museum & Cultural Centre at 5220 Front Road
1pm to 4 pm – Museum open and guided walking tours of historic Village of Stella available
Amherst Island Public School at 5955 Front Road
1pm to 4 pm - Display Area open
Emerald Music Festival Site at 12675 Front Road
Music Featuring:
5 pm – 6:45 pm - Seventh Town
7 pm – 8:45 pm - O’Schraves
9 pm – 10:30pm - Cyril & Blackie
Saturday, September 26th
Amherst Island Public School at 5955 Front Road
10 am – 4 pm - Stone Carving, Children’s Potato Walling Workshop, and traditional music demonstrations
10 am – 4 pm – Display Area open
Neilson Store Museum & Cultural Centre at 5220 Front Road
10 am to 4 pm – Museum open and guided walking tours of historic Village of Stella available
Reidview Farm at 10850 Front Road
11 am – 4 pm – Harvest Festival
Emerald Music Festival Site at 12675 Front Road
Music & Dancing featuring
10am – Noon - Mark McGreevy
Noon – 12:30 - Kelly School of Irish Dance
12:30 – 2:20 - Seventh Town
2:30 – 4:30 - Turpin’s Trail
7pm – 9pm - O’Schraves
9:20pm – 10:30pm - Cyril & Blackie
Irish Walling Construction Site - Located Across Road from School at 5955 Front Road
9 am – 4pm – Dry Stone Walling Construction
5 pm Irish piping of dignitaries to the Irish Sampler Wall.
9 am – 4pm – Dry Stone Walling Construction
5 pm Irish piping of dignitaries to the Irish Sampler Wall.
Welcome Remarks and Introduction by President of Dry Stone Canada.
Irish Ambassador to install a Time Capsule,
Jane Urquhart to lay a carved stone
President of Amherst Island Women’s Institute to lay stone from Ards Peninsula.
Sunday, September 27th
Amherst Island Public School at 5955 Front Road
10 am – 3 pm – Stone Carving & Children’s Workshop & traditional music demonstrations
10 am – 3 pm – Display Area open
Neilson Store Museum & Cultural Centre at 5220 Front Road
10 am - 3 pm – Museum open and guided walking tours of historic Village of Stella available
Emerald Music Festival Site at 12675 Front Road
Music Featuring
Noon – 1:45pm -Turpin’s Trail
2:15pm – 3:45pm - O’Schraves
Irish Walling Construction Site - Located Across Road from School at 5955 Front Road
9 am – 5pm - Dry Stone Walling construction
6:05 pm - Presidents of Dry Stone Canada and Dry Stone Walling Association of Ireland lay carved stone
6:45 pm - Sunset event will take place
Traditional music will be played by members of the O’Schraves to recognize the closing of this event.
Amherst Island Public School at 5955 Front Road
10 am – 3 pm – Stone Carving & Children’s Workshop & traditional music demonstrations
10 am – 3 pm – Display Area open
Neilson Store Museum & Cultural Centre at 5220 Front Road
10 am - 3 pm – Museum open and guided walking tours of historic Village of Stella available
Emerald Music Festival Site at 12675 Front Road
Music Featuring
Noon – 1:45pm -Turpin’s Trail
2:15pm – 3:45pm - O’Schraves
Irish Walling Construction Site - Located Across Road from School at 5955 Front Road
9 am – 5pm - Dry Stone Walling construction
6:05 pm - Presidents of Dry Stone Canada and Dry Stone Walling Association of Ireland lay carved stone
6:45 pm - Sunset event will take place
Traditional music will be played by members of the O’Schraves to recognize the closing of this event.