This is an opportunity to hear the story of Hastings Farmhouse and the project to restore it as a community heritage venue. You will see a demonstration of traditional mud wall building and lime rendering in action. Hastings Farmhouse is a traditional nineteenth century farmhouse built using a combination of mud, stone and brick. The restoration project is under the guidance of conservation professionals who have produced a specification for the reconstruction of the mud walls of the farmhouse and outbuilding. The Heritage Week event will feature a demonstration of the methodology to be employed in the rebuilding of the mud wall. The demonstration will preview the techniques to be offered in two mud wall building and lime render workshops which will take place on 2nd to 4th and 9th to 11th of September. The Sixmilebridge Folk group will provide traditional music entertainment and light refreshments will be served. This is a family event to learn about life in Shannon before the building of the modern town. All are welcome.
The Hastings family took up residence at the farmhouse in Tullyvarraga in 1847 at the height of the famine. The farmhouse was surrounded by a c. 30 acre farm and the traditional way of life it represented remained virtually unchanged throughout the next hundred and twenty years. Successive generations of the Hastings family farmed the surrounding land and probably fished in the estuary less than 100 metres to the south.. There was no electricity or running water; cooking was done over the open fire and light provided by candle or kerosene lamps. Water was fetched from a nearby well. The Hastings family played a part in the War of Independence and the house served as a safe-house for the Irish Army. General Lucas, a high ranking British General who was captured in Cork spent part of his captivity under guard at Hastings Farmhouse. Hear the story of that event and how his granddaughter visited Hastings Farmhouse in 2012.
This event is organised by Dúchas na Sionna (Hastings Farmhouse) CLG and the Shannon Archaeological & Historical Society. Hastings Farmhouse is located between Shannon Crematorium and Illaunamanagh Cemetery and parking for the event is in the car park at the entrance to the access road to the cemetery.

Address
Hastings Farmhouse, Shannon. Between Shannon Crematorium and Illaunamanagh Cemetery, Co. Clare