Calling a spade, a spade.

A fabulous evening was had by all at ‘Connecting with the skills of the past’ hosted by Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, at Enniskillen Castle Museum.

The event was well attended and celebrated skills from the past once common throughout Fermanagh such as willow weaving, spade making and lace craft. This also marked the launch of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership Heritage Skills project which aims to engage people in heritage skills such as willow weaving, boat building, thatching and many more.

Guests were entertained by music from Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts and Churchill Silver Band. Speakers on the night included, Sam Morrow who discussed the traditional farming skills in Co. Fermanagh and followed by Helen Walsh on the delicate craft of Inishmacsaint Lace. The extremely interesting presentation on Fermanagh’s former spade mill and the McMahon spade, delivered by Oliver McCaffrey (Roslea Heritage Association) & Tom Mahon & James McCullough (Patterson’s Spade Mill), was very poignant particularly as the sons of the late Heber McMahon (owner of McMahon’s spade mill) were in attendance. 

Roslea Heritage Association and Patterson’s Spade Mill displayed examples of traditional spades and spoke with guests about these rare and treasured possessions. In addition, there were displays from Inishmacsaint Lace, Fermanagh Beekeepers Association and Enniskillen, Lisnaskea and Belcoo Men’s Shed.

LELP have been holding Heritage Skills and Training workshops with Lisnaskea and Enniskillen Men’s Shed and Belleek Women’s Shed some of their finished pieces including baskets and bee skeps were on display in the castle.