Renaissance Day

posted 12/6/2010

Renaissance Fair at Kirkistown Castle

At the Fair were demonstrations and displays by a historical organisation that specialises in these events. The displays included swordfighting, musket-firing and weaving. Some other activities allowed visitors to participate and these included archery, dancing, and story-telling.

Refreshments were provided by CDCA members in the Barn building where there was also some display boards with the history of Kirkistown Castle.

A hot food van and ice-cream van were on site and proved very popular as many people stayed for several hours to enjoy the various displays.

swordfighting1

Admission was free to this event which was organised by CDCA and sponsored by Ards Tourist Information.  Over 1100 people came to the event despite the cool damp weather, and everyone seemed to enjoy the show and the opportunity to see inside the Castle grounds.

Photos - To view more photos of the event click here

Why is Kirkistown Castle not open to the public?
The Castle is a local landmark, visible on the skyline to everyone who visits Cloughey. It is owned and managed by the NI Environment Agency (DoE) but is currently not open to the public at all.

Several years ago, extensive renovation works were carried out and the Castle cleaned up and secured. The original outer walls are intact on 2 sides and the inner Keep is also in fairly good shape. Until 2008, the castle was open to the public in July & August on selected days, but this was not well advertised and few people knew that it was possible to see inside the castle. Over the last 2 summers, what is potentially the most important and interesting visitor attraction in Cloughey is kept closed up and inaccessible to both local residents and visitors.

The CDCA has been interested for some time in making use of this historic building for events and the Renaissance Fair held on 29/5/2010 was the first community event to be held at the Castle.

On the day, a one-way traffic system was in place bringing cars in by the narrow entrance lane, and using the grass area owned by the developer of the adjoining site as a car park, with exit through the Castle Meadow estate.

The main Keep of the Castle was not open as DoE decided that it is in an unsafe condition inside, and does not comply with current Health & Safety regs. This was disappointing as many of the visitors to the Fair would like to have seen inside and it would have added to the authenticity of the events taking place.