https://cuilcaghlakelands.org/event/harvesting-bulrush-for-basketmaking-2/
| When? | Saturday 25th July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Where? | Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, BT92 0JZ |
| Tickets | Free |
Join local basketmaker and Geopark Ambassador Stephen McQuaid for a unique hands-on experience exploring one of Ireland’s oldest and most endangered traditional crafts.
Basketmaking is widely recognised as the world’s oldest craft, yet traditional basketmaking with bulrush (rush) has almost disappeared. While many basketmakers today work with commercially grown willow, rush basketmaking relies on harvesting and preparing natural materials from wetlands – a skilled and labour-intensive process that has become increasingly rare.
This special participation event offers a rare opportunity to experience the first stage of the basketmaking process for yourself. Travelling by canoe from the Share Discovery Village on Upper Lough Erne, participants will journey to a nearby rush bed where they will spend the morning learning how to harvest bulrush using traditional methods. After lunch, Stephen will demonstrate the essential stages of sorting, grading and preparing the rush for drying before it can be used for basketmaking.
All equipment will be provided, including canoes, wetsuits, buoyancy aids and harvesting tools.
Tea & coffee will be served as part of this experience and there will break for lunch. The cafe at Share Discovery Village will be open and serving lunch, or alternatively bring a packed lunch.
Admission: Free of charge
Booking: Essential (first come first serve)
Age Requirement: 18 years and over
Share Discovery Village
221 Lisnaskea Road, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, BT92 0JZ
Choose one session only:
Session 1: Saturday 25 July, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Session 2: Sunday 26 July, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Email basketmaking@proton.me and indicate your preferred session. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event is not wheelchair accessible and includes water activity.
Please be aware that participants will be travelling by canoe and then working in the water and on rough ground. If you have any mobility or accessibility requirements, please consider carefully whether this activity is suitable for your ability.
This event is organised by Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark Community Team in partnership with Geopark Ambassadors. This project received funding through a joint initiative by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and the National Monuments Service to support practices
inscribed on Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage is managed by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and can be viewed at https://nationalinventoryich.ccs.gov.ie/. The National Monuments Service is delighted to support this initiative that highlights the strong relationship between tangible and intangible heritage.
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Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, BT92 0JZ
This is a cooperation project between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Cavan County Council.
This element of the project is part funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of County Cavan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Cavan County Council, Breffni Integrated CLG, Department of Rural and Community Development, the EU and EAFRD in part-funding this project. Funded by the Irish Government Under the Leader Programme 2014-2020.
