The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport are delighted to welcome representatives from three practices inscribed on Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage to this year’s National Ploughing Championship. This year’s Ploughing Championships will take place in Screggan Co. Offaly from Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th of September.
Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, Brooks Academy Set-Dancing, and weavers of St. Brigid’s crosses from Solas Bhríde will showcase their practices in the Culture, Communications, Archaeology and Sport hub in the Government of Ireland Village.
On Tuesday 16th September set dancers from Brooks Academy, accompanied by two traditional Irish musicians, will fill the marquee with music and movement as they take over the floor demonstrating this increasingly popular style of dance.
On Wednesday 17th September harpers from Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland will host a number of performances on the stage throughout the day. In the demo areas, members of the public will have the opportunity to try the instruments out for themselves and engage with and ask questions of the musicians.
On Thursday 18th September, members of the public will have the opportunity to take a seat and have experts from Solas Bhríde guide them through the weaving of a St. Brigid’s Cross, a symbolic practice honouring one of Ireland’s patron saints that has been passed down through generations.
Over the three days, members of the International Cultural Policy Unit will be on site at the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Ireland Stand to promote Ireland’s National Inventory of ICH and answer any questions in relation to the application process for applying to join the National Inventory.
For more details on the above events and performances, and for other activities taking place in the Government of Ireland Village, please see the following links: Culture and Connectivity and National Ploughing Championships 2025.