BSW4 - 2. The Harvest Fair

Speaker: Dan GallagherFrom the Bluestack Way - Part 4 playlist.See Bluestack Way page for full details.Photo: the Lawrence collection.In our audio piece, Dan Gallagher tells us about how Glenties would have been thronged with sheep during the annual Harvest Fair in early September. It is a wonderful insight into the chaos and mayhem on a day when there was selling and drinking to be done. Following the walk approx. 3km from Glenties, the roadway is flanked by gorse or whin bushes with their bright yellow flowers. In May and June, when the blooms are most prolific, you will find colonies of a little known Irish butterfly - the Green Hairstreak. A careful look along these Gorse Hedges by the roadside will often produce good numbers of this fast-flying insect. Upon alighting on the yellow flowers, the closed wings reveal a 'metallic' sheen which characterises this beautiful butterfly. Along the riverbanks, look out for the Common Blue butterfly in June/July.© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below are the Spotify options: -Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of all four festivals.Samhain folklore - music and lore for SamhainImbolc folklore - music and lore for ImbolcBealtaine folklore - music and lore for BealtaineLughnasa folklore - music and lore for Lughnasa