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Back from the Boley festival in Hilltown is back for its second year this weekend, from Thursday 24 – Monday 28 August. A celebration of life in the Mournes in centuries past, the rural heritage festival is going from strength to strength, with a packed programme and plenty to do for all ages and stages.
Boleying was a common practice in the 17th and 18th centuries - poorer families moved to the mountain pastures for the entire summer, where they grazed their cattle on the rich grasses, made butter from the milk, cut turf for the winter and make poitin - well away from prying eyes.
The festival kicks off on Thursday with Little Hills, a beautiful play about a local girl who sets off on a famine coffin ship and her new life of adventure in the Canadian Goldrush (Booking on Eventbrite) On Friday, the fun kicks off with The Long Walk Home at 5pm, which walk is representative of the long walk the boleyers faced as they made their way back to their homes at the end of the summer. This is a pop-up storytelling event for families, so dress up in old time clothing and join us for a few surprises along the way.
The festival officially opens at 7pm when the boleyers make it to Hilltown Square. This is followed by events at various venues in the village. There are Boley Burgers at the Downshire Arms Hotel, A hog roast at Mary Margaret’s, A folk open session in Minny Doyles, A singing circle in Lowry’s Bar and folk singer ‘Billy’ in Mac’s.
On Saturday, at 10am, the mountains beckon with the Boglands and Butter walk, a fascinating visit to the authentic boley sites and turf banks on the Hilltown mountains.
At 2pm join local musician Anne Harper and Dr Paddy Fitzgerald, from the Mellon Centre, Ulster American Folk Park, for the launch of Anne’s new book, ‘The Iveagh Songbook’ as well as a fascinating reading of south Down emigrant letters from America.
At 6pm ‘To Wear the Yellow Gold’ is an evening of nostalgia for Hilltown, with a video of a play about the village, that was first staged in 1988.
That night is the big musical event of the festival, with Nathan Carter band Ceol on stage for one of their first ever events in Northern Ireland. Ceol is supported by brilliant young Hilltown musician Jack Devlin.
Sunday is devoted to the ‘Crafts from the Past’ field day, which is from 1-6pm at Doran’s Field This is the main event of the entire festival, with fun, colour, history and community at the forefront. Beforehand, at 12 pm, mass will be celebrated at Altnataggart Mass Rock, to commemorate the tradition of secret worship that was common in penal times.
From 6-9pm, the Maggie Barry Folk Club will take place in Minny Doyles. This open session for trad music and storytelling is a tribute to gypsy singing legend Maggie Barry and is open to everyone.
Hilltown singer Jordan McPolin will take to the stage at 9pm in Doran’s, which will bring Saturday to a close.
Monday, the final day, features the ‘Story of Flax’ bus tour, which examines the links between linen production and the lives of ordinary families in Hilltown.
‘The Parting Glass’ event that evening 6pm is a farewell to the festival and it will be supported by Clonduff Comhaltas. The final event is a screening of ‘Pooka’, a new film recently released by Hilltown man Cathal Fitzpatrick, at 9pm.
Free entry to most events, unless otherwise indicated. Tickets for Little Hills, Mary Margaret’s Hog Roast, the Story of Flax and Pooka are available on Eventbrite.
Festival programme is available @backfromtheboley on facebook and Instagram.
