Canadian Wake - An Immersive Theatrical Experience
2026-05-16 19:00 - 20:30 (Europe/Dublin) | National Famine Museum
Join us at Strokestown Park in the National Famine Museum on the 16th May at 7pm for a traditional Canadian Wake, a farewell gathering once held for Irish emigrants leaving for North America.
This event will be an immersive theatrical experience with professional performances in the National Famine Museum. The evening will feature music, storytelling and a moment of reflection as we remember those who emmigrated during the Great Irish Famine.
You will be taken back to 1847, the height of the Great Irish Famine where we will be revisiting the night that Mary Tighe and her family left the Strokestown Estate. Mary and her family were part of a forced emmigration scheme initiated by Major Denis Mahon, the landlord of the Strokestown Estate at this time.
This emmigration scheme forced famine-stricken tenants to leave their homes in Strokestown. These tenants are today referred to as ‘the missing 1,490’. They began their journey by walking the 165km to the docklands in Dublin, from here they boarded ships to Liverpool and then on to Canada in the hope of a better life.
Follow Mary and her family on their journey, experience their heartbreaking story and join her community in a traditional emmigrant wake, the last opportunity for Mary to say farewell to her loved ones. Knowing that it could be the last time they see each other as she is heading into a life of uncertainty with little money and a treacherous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
This Canadian Wake is being held on the eve of the National Famine Way Remembrance Walk starting on the 17th of May.
This event is a standing event which involves walking through the National Famine Museum with limited seating in each section of the museum.
***This is a Free Event, however advanced registration is required.***

Eco - Art Project with Artist Jacqueline Duignan
2026-05-21
Led by artist Jacqueline Duignan, Eco-art project will take place in the parklands and gardens of Strokestown Park.
This project takes place over two mornings.
Dates: Thursday May 21st and 28th Times: 10am to 1pm.
Workshop participants will create impermanent landscape sculptures using only natural and found materials gathered from the grounds eg, twigs, leaves, stones, bark, seed heads, clay and other biodegradable elements.
The aim of the project is to deepen participants’ connection to the environment through discourse, observation and sustainable art-making.
The workshops will begin with guided sensory walks. Participants will explore textures, patterns, shadows and growth through sketchbook work and photography, developing an awareness of the subtle structures already present in the environment. From this foundation, they will explore construction techniques such as balancing, weaving, tension-building and interlocking forms without the use of synthetic materials or fixatives.
Each participant (or small group) will then design a small-scale sculpture. These works may take the form of twig, stone, leaf, branch structures and patterns. The sculptures will be intentionally impermanent. This emphasis on the ephemeral encourages reflection on cycles of growth, sustainability and renewal.
About Facilitator
Jacqueline Duignan is a visual artist, poet and part time lecturer currently based in Roscommon, with a practice rooted in sculpture and mixed media. A graduate of NCAD and Trinity College Dublin, she has exhibited widely across Ireland and the UK, with solo shows at the Arts Council, World’s End London, and New Art Studio, Dublin.
Jacqueline is a recipient of multiple Arts Council awards, most recently a Roscommon Co. Council Visual Arts Bursary and a Bealtaine Artist Award. Her poem “Ode to Blue” won first prize in the Roscommon New Writing Awards, 2024.She is an active professional member of Visual Artists Ireland. Her recent Community Arts project Postcard from the Little Oak reflects her commitment to inclusive and intergenerational arts practice.
**Registration for this project and workshops is FREE and suitable for all levels.**
This project is supported by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-Government initiative, which places creativity at the centre of public policy.

Woodland Café Sing Song with Fionnuala Maxwell & Friends
2026-05-26 | Woodland Café, Strokestown Park
Join us on the afternoon of Tuesday May 26th at 2pm for our annual Woodland Café Sing Song as part of Age & Opportunities Bealtaine Festival, celebrating creativity as we age.
Leading this very special afternoon is Leitrim singer and musician Fionnuala Maxwell who will be accompanied by the wonderful accordion player Brian Mostyn.
Come and sing along to lots of old favourites, you might even be encouraged to get up for a dance.
This event is open to the public, with no advanced booking required.
This initiative is gratefully supported by Roscommon County Council Arts Office, as part of the Bealtaine Festival 2026 an Age & Opportunity Arts initiative, funded by the Arts Council and the HSE.

Caravaggio - Dark Light with artist Jacqueline Duignan
2026-05-26 10:00
Join a small group for a relaxed printmaking and beginner friendly Art workshop facilitated by artist Jacqueline Duignan, no previous experience necessary. All levels catered for.
The workshop will take inspiration from the painting “The Cardsharps” by the great Italian master Caravaggio, a copy of which hangs in Strokestown Park House. Participants will be introduced to hands on, guided basic print making using inks and rollers, pencil and charcoal.
Experimentation with a wide variety of materials will be encouraged.
By the end of the session, participants will have created black and white print/Art work inspired by Caravaggio.
About Facilitator
Jacqueline Duignan is a visual artist, poet and part time lecturer currently based in Roscommon, with a practice rooted in sculpture and mixed media. A graduate of NCAD and Trinity College Dublin, she has exhibited widely across Ireland and the UK, with solo shows at the Arts Council, World’s End London, and New Art Studio, Dublin.
Jacqueline is a recipient of multiple Arts Council awards, most recently a Roscommon Co. Council Visual Arts Bursary and a Bealtaine Artist Award. Her poem “Ode to Blue” won first prize in the Roscommon New Writing Awards, 2024.She is an active professional member of Visual Artists Ireland. Her recent Community Arts project Postcard from the Little Oak reflects her commitment to inclusive and intergenerational arts practice.
**Registration for this workshop is FREE. Advanced booking is essential.**
This initiative is gratefully supported by Roscommon County Council Arts Office, as part of the Bealtaine Festival 2026 an Age & Opportunity Arts initiative, funded by the Arts Council and the HSE.

FunFest - Creativity At Play
2026-06-06 12:00 - 17:00 | Strokestown Park
***Tickets Sold Out***

FUNFEST ‘Creativity At Play’ returns to the beautiful Walled Gardens of Strokestown Park as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2026. This vibrant children’s festival celebrates creativity, play, self-expression, and inspiration. Families and children aged 0 -12 years are invited to dive into a wonderland of fun and creativity.
This year we are thrilled to partner with Glór na nGael who will be inviting families to enjoy bilingual performances and activities, as Gaeilge, in the Féile Spraoi tent.
Date: Saturday, June 6th
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Walled Gardens, Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon
Booking Information: FREE ENTRY. Advanced Booking Required.
**Festival Highlights**
Science On Stilts
Out of the Blue, Circus Show
Face Painting by Fierce Fun Faces
Dance Parties hosted by Dee Dee
Balloon Modelling with Giggles The Clown
The Imagination Playground with Bricí Spraoi
Puppet Shows by Custard Pie Puppet Theatre
Sports Activities with Roscommon Sports Partnership
Baby & Toddler Music Sessions with Ready Steady Play
Play & Creativity Zone with Discovery Playtime & Willow Outdoor Pre School
Additional Information
Inclusivity:
FUNFEST is committed to ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all. A Sensory Zone will be available for children who need a quiet space to relax and recharge.
Food & Beverage:
This year we have M.K Bia Food Truck on site along with the Woodland Café Coffee Truck.
The Woodland Café will also be open in our Visitor Centre.
Important Information:
– Gates open at 12:00 PM and close at 5:00 PM.
– While the event is free, advance registration is required.
– Children must be accompanied by an adult / carer.
– Videography and photography will be taking place at the event.
Don’t miss out on this fun and creative day for the whole family!FunFest is supported by Roscommon County Council, Cruinniú na nÓg Programme 2026, the Roscommon County Council Irish Language Fund and Glór na nGael.

Rooted & Growing Conference
2026-07-29 - 2026-07-30
***Fully Booked***
A Conference of Nature Connections

Rooted & Growing is a community gathering to showcase nature-based interventions within the West and North West of Ireland. It will provide a forum to discuss an emerging vision of nature connections to support health and social care outcomes.
Rooted & Growing has been created by a small group of psychologists, community workers, researchers and artists that are passionate about the role of nature connections in their work and personal life.
This gathering is committed to highlighting the research base and clinical experiences of positive biopsychosocial outcomes for nature-based interventions. It aims to build a network to support the further development of nature connection projects for all in community, including those living within health and social care settings.
Rooted & Growing will feature talks from leading academics from Maynooth University, along with psychologists and community workers in the West and Northwest, who all promote nature connections within their work. There will be opportunities to experience workshops giving practical examples of how nature can be incorporated into clinical practice. A number of these workshops will be hosted by people with lived experience of participating in nature-based interventions.
Rooted & Growing is perfect for professionals working in health and social care settings and policy makers, who may already be connected to nature in their work or simply nature-curious. This conference has a collaborative and experiential focus, creating a space for discussion and development of community nature connecting in Ireland.
This non-profit event will take place on 29th and 30th July 2026 in Strokestown Park, County Roscommon. The full Conference programme, along with workshop choices, will be available soon. All conference attendees will be notified of the final programme and workshop choices via their email provided.

A Day Of Automotive History 2026
2026-08-23 11:00 - 17:00 | Strokestown Park
Join the Roscommon Sports & Classic Cars Club for ‘A Day of Automotive History’ 2026.
Taking place on Sunday the 23rd of August between 11 am and 5 pm.
Admission €10.00, Children FREE.
This event is taking place as part of National Heritage Week.
Discover more events at Strokestown Park here.

Strokestown Agricultural & Industrial Show 2026
2026-09-12
Celebrating its 158th year, the Annual Strokestown Agricultural & Industrial Show returns to Strokestown Park on Saturday 12th September 2026.
Always a wonderful day for the whole family!
Visit www.strokestownshow.ie for further information.
