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CASTLETOWN, OMAGH, COUNTY TYRONE BT78 5QY, NORTHERN IRELAND, TEL +44 (0)28 8224 3292

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Special Events For Schools

HALLOWE'EN/ PENNSYLVANIA HARVEST HOME [late October]
The festivals of Hallowe'en in Ulster and Harvest Home in Pennsylvania marked the end of the summer and the beginning of the dark days of winter. They were times of great merriment and excitement for young and old - large quantities of food were consumed, ghostly pranks were played on the neighbours, young couples were 'matched' in bizarre fireside games and children took part in a variety of amusements. These old customs have are revived annually for visiting school children in late October. It is one of our most popular events, so please book early.

FRONTIER DAYS [late November]
An event for post-primary schools during Thanksgiving Week. For 2 days only, the New World exhibits come alive with a specially extended range of crafts and activities of the frontier settlements of Appalachian America. Particular emphasis is placed on the German, Irish and Native American contributions to the lifestyle of the early American settlers - with traditional food, herbal remedies, shingle- making, skin-curing, American patchwork, square dancing, Pennsylvania folk art, American beadwork.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY [early December]
Come and celebrate Christmas in a week of early 19th century activities in the authentic surroundings of our Ulster and American houses. Join an Ulster family as they prepare for the festive season; find out about mummers and their straw masks; take part in traditional party games; learn how Americans decorated their Christmas tree using natural materials; experience a frontier Christmas in a log cabin; sample unusual Christmas food in the Pennsylvania Farmhouse; and hear about the origins of some of our Christmas customs.

M UMMERS' FESTIVAL [mid December]
In the past the Christmas season often brought a visit from the Mummers or Christmas Rhymers who were local actors disguised as entertaining characters. They travelled in disguise around the district from house to house performing a short rhyming play and in return received gifts of food or money from the occupants. Pupils are invited to take part in our Festival by performing, in costume, the version of the play best known in their area. Further information, together with a resource booklet containing transcripts of Mummers' plays and details of the costumes, is available from the Education Office.



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