Irish American Folk Park

Subject: RE: Irish American Folk Park
From: Arkie
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 09:09 PM

This sounds like an interesting place for performers and paying guests.   Thanks Claymore.

Subject: RE: Irish American Folk Park
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 08:40 PM

My friends and I played there for three days over the American 4th of July celebration there. It is located just north of Omagh and has both performance areas and a trail of historical homes, cabins and barns etc. A vistor pays about 6 pounds and starts the trail which takes a vistor from the homes and buildlings of Ireland to a seaport in Belfast, the trip through a famine ship and out into Boston. From there the trail takes you through various homes etc of America. The Mellons who lived in that part of Ireland and later made their fortune in America, sponsored the museum and run a Center for Irish Migration studies. You can locate more info at www.folkpark.com

Playing there is a ball and I would reccomend that any American folk musician try and get a gig there. They generally want Old-Time, Bluegrass or some distinct form of American music, and you perform in one of the venues on the trail. At the time we were there we had a Patsy Cline cover group from England, some Native Americans displaying some of their artifacts, a Vaudville act from Branson, Miss., and a large number of American Civil War reenactors from all over Britain. They put you up in a motel on the Center, and feed you in a large dining hall. The pay isn't much, but all your expenses are taken care of.

Our evenings were spent shooting black power muskets, giving Indian war hoops and rebel yells, playing every song you could imagine, and drinking tons of beer. The staff were marvelous, and the meals were excellent. You send them a CD or a video to audition.

Incidently, they also have a major Appalachian/Bluegrass festival in September, as well as other musical festivals which draw large crowds. We were drawing from 6-8 thousand vistors a day, and the Park was packed. It's more fun than Americans should have in another country.

Subject: RE: Irish American Folk Park
From: Arkie
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 11:22 PM

Thanks I have visited the site several times and it takes a while to explore. Is this supported by educational funds, county governmnet, grants, or fees or some other means.

Subject: RE: Irish American Folk Park
From: BanjoRay
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 03:38 AM

I know they have music festivals, often with Bluegrass, Cajun and Old Time music. A few of my friends have played and had a great time there.
Ray

Subject: RE: Irish American Folk Park
From: alison
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 12:23 AM

Here is the website for the Ulster American Folk Park it is just outside Omagh, County Tyrone. based around the old farmhouse / homestead of the Mellon family.

I haven't been there for years - my grandparents used to take me to the homestead way before it was a park - but from memory they have the thatched Irish cottage type exhibits, a reconstruction of a transportation boat to america, and then log cabin type exhibits

slainte

alison

Subject: Irish American Folk Park
From: Arkie
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 07:55 PM

I just learned about the existence of the Irish American Folk Park from a friend who was in Northern Ireland this fall. I am curious about the nature of this park because I work in what may be a similar facility in the United States. Anyone out there who has been to the park or know any thing about it?