Tír Chonaill Stone Festival ensuring old skills are passed on in Ballyshannon 

A weekend of practical workshops in the traditional skills of Dry Stone Walling, Stone Carving and Plein Air Sketching will take place in Ballyshannon on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23.

The Tír Chonaill Stone Festival is suited to all levels of ability, beginners and experienced alike, 2024 takes place in the historic town near St.Anne's Church.

Organisers said: “Keeping our traditional stone crafts alive in the community,our annual event is a celebration of Dry Stone Walling, Stone Carving and Plein air Sketching.”

"This ancient craft has enjoyed a resurgence and is central to our stone built heritage."

Led by experts with many years of experience in stone work and in passing on their skills, participants are trained in the basic principles of their chosen craft.

Dry Stone Wallers work as a team to rebuild a historic wall, gaining confidence and experience in the principles of the craft.

Stone Carvers focus on individual pieces of their own design, be it letter cutting, relief carving or sculpture, gaining technique and experience.

Plein Air sketchers (painting in the open air) will have various heritage vistas around the area as inspiration for their work in the medium of their choice.

Single day and full weekend tickets are available for all workshops.

A light lunch is included in all tickets. Workshops break for lunch from 1 - 2pm at St. Anne's Hall at the Festival site.

Camping is available and contact can be made at: info@tirchonaillstonefestival.ie

In a footnote, they warn participants to always be ready for rain showers. Wallers are required to have steel toe cap boots/shoes but gloves are provided. 

Sketchers may bring an umbrella. In the event of hot weather, have a hat.

They are not for stone workshops as all materials, tools, gloves and safety glasses are provided. Sketchers will need to have their own materials: paper, pencils, paints etc and a stool and easel if so desired.

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