In the heritage zone with the Tallafest community

By Mary Dennehy

ALONGSIDE promoting Tallaght life today and its people, community celebration Tallafest will also bring residents back in time by promoting the area’s vibrant and diverse history.

One of the zones being staged in Tallaght village on September 10 for Tallafest is a heritage zone, which will bring the area’s history to life while also highlighting the heritage sites located around the village.

Organised by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), with support from local volunteers, the Tallafest programme this year has a number of heritage events including a guided heritage walk around Tallaght Village – which is home to an 8th century Céilí Dé Monastery, St Maelruain’s, and a monastic rampart, that is older than the Pale ditch.

Local historian Tom Maher will lead the guided tour which starts at 1pm on Saturday, September 10.

An indoor history lecture called Echoes of 1916 will also be staged in St Mary’s Priory and delivered by David Smyth of Tallaght Historical Society.

The lecture will complement an exhibition of visual art by Tallaght Green Party councillor Francis Duffy called Women of 1916, which will be on display in St Maelruain’s Church.

The programme also includes a nod to the area’s vibrant heritage of the spoken and written word, with award-winning poet Micheal Whelan signed-up for a poetry reading.

All 70 members of the Tallaght Choral Society will also perform on the live Main Stage.

Alongside a heritage zone, Tallafest will boast zones including kids, arts, sports, nature, craft market and live stage – with imaginative play, a farmyard area, art classes with Don Conroy, bake-offs, magic, music and more.

Registrations are currently open for volunteers, stage acts, sports clubs, children entertainers, craft stalls and food vendors. 

Any young resident who would like to be a balloon mascot is also invited to get in touch.
Visit www.tallafest.ie or the event’s Facebook page for more.