We pulled off a mighty celebration for stone lovers in Glencolmcille 19th-21st June
photo by Martin Cunningham
Largely this success was due to hard work and preparation on the ground in the months prior
When Festival day arrived – the weather was damp – but two hoots we did not give!
Instruction got underway for keen wallers
Rónan Crehan instructs wallers : photo by Jacqui Reed
Glencolmcille man Paul ‘Phaid’ Cunningham – highly skilled with his native schist: photo by Jacqui Reed
Festival goers work on restoring a retaining wall in the ancient Cashel area of Glen
Our local crafts men had previously erected their standing stones, which they’d carved over winter
North Star feature stone – carved by Michael Mc Groarty from Barnsmore granite
The story of Glencolmcille – carved by Paul ‘Phaid’ Cunningham from Drumkeelan Sandstone
Meantime, mason Christian Helling had been busy with this..
Tipperary sandstone ‘chair’
The chair arrived on site the night before the Festival & was installed into the bay we’d gotten ready
Through the mists of the Glen many locals appeared to admire the stones
Andrew Waters
Michael Mc Groarty (Mountcharles) teaches letter cutting
Victor Daly (Cork) teaches scuplture
Our extremely popular carving workshops ran at maximum capacity.
With letter cutting and sculpting on offer, the Mart resounded with the sound of chisels and hammers.
Master carvers worked flat-out to teach students of all ages and abilities
Going strong on the Festival Wall
Attendees from the Heritage Department’s Seminar on Dry Stone Walls arrived to take part on Saturday afternoon
photo by Jacqui Reed
‘Nuair is gá dom fháil bhaile Is tú mo Réalt eolais’ : ‘When I need to get home you are my guiding light.’
Pat Mc Affee with festival goers
Our good friend Padraig Poil couldn’t make it but gave us this beautiful stone
Ready to ship the Motherstone to Donegal: photo by NC Britton
A testimony to our bond with Inis Oírr it rests in Glen forevermore
photo by Kathryn Daily
Just a few of our volenteer stonemasons (from left) Jamie Mc Nern; Kieran Keeney; Paul ‘Phaid’ Cunninham
Our recently deceased friend Martin Mc Brearty is remembered
Stonemason Christian Helling with his chair to honour the much missed Martin Mc Brearty
photo by Kathryn Daily
photo by Karl Kennedy
To complete the experience we toured the wonderful Glencolmcille Folk Village
And delved down into the monastic souterrain below the church
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Then we visited the lovely Tobar Colm Cille 
Keeping our traditions alive with unadultertated passion
Behold the finished wall – a credit to entire community
Indeed we believe this is Ireland’s future, community effort to treasure our stone built heritage for all to enjoy
You can read Jacqui Reed’s account of the Festival here and other press coverage here
Photo by Karl Kennedy
Assisted by Donegal County Council and the Education & Training Board.
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