To celebrate the second International Grandmother’s Day, the Four Rivers Convivium of Slow Food Ireland have organised a unique range of workshops exploring the (almost) lost and forgotten skills of our grandparents, taking place in Dunhill Ecopark on Sunday April 25^th between 12pm and 4pm.  The workshops will explore the simple, yet effective methods of thriftiness our grandparents lived by in times gone by and have been designed to appeal to both the novice and expert.  So, if you would simply like to rekindle your memory or would like to learn such skills as growing a garden on a tight budget, harvesting and baking with seaweed, or even how to make beautiful gifts out of broken or unwanted household items, then come along!  Other workshops will delve into the games of our childhoods and the simple pleasure of letter writing.  How long has it been since you received a hand-written letter from a friend or relative?    

Local grandmother, Rita Byrne will open the day with a reading from her book “Fenor 2010: Growing and Changing” in which the fascinating stories and lives of the Fenor community are told and speak of a different Ireland to that of today’s generations.  There will also be a plant and cake sale on the day, with proceeds going to the local parish of Fenor and Dunhill.  See www.slowfoodireland.com for further information.

Samantha Richardson, organizer and member of Slow Food Ireland believes Grandmothers Day is the perfect opportunity to record the different skills and wisdom of our grandparents before it is too late.  “The information we recorded at last year’s event is freely available, not only as a historical record, but more importantly to pass on these wonderful skills and keep them alive.”  “This year’s event builds on last years’ and we hope to record many more fascinating stories from bygone days.”  A competition for Primary school children has been run in association with this event for Grandmothers Day in which children were invited to write a story of a skill or tradition from their grandparents.   The winners will be announced in Dunhill Ecopark on Grandmother’s Day.