BYKATE HEANEY
IF you were hoping to book a day sail on the replica famine ship the Jeanie Johnston on Lough Swilly next month, forget it.
Demand for places on the ¤80 a day opportunity to sail aboard on Lough Swilly were quickly snapped up almost as soon as they became available.
What you can do however, is sail from Dublin to Rathmullan arriving Tuesday 11 September for ¤400. Or if you fancy a more exciting voyage you can retrace the route the Earls took in 1607 and sail from Rathmullan all the way to Quilleboef in France for ¤750. This trip departs Rathmullan on Monday 17 September. Both of these voyages are offered at special rates for the celebrations.
However, visitors to Rathmullan will have the opportunity to go aboard the 148 foot, three-masted barque when it is docked at the pier.
There will also be a number of evening events on board which can be booked through the box office at An Grianan Theatre.
These are on Thursday 13 September and Friday 14 September. Tickets are ¤30 and the entertainment starts at 8pm. It includes a tour around this wonderful tall ship, mingle with friends, and be entertained with music, song and perhaps even a poem or two ! Complimentary drinks and finger food included in the ticket price.
Advance booking is essential and children under six years are not allowed on board.
There will also be free tours of the tall ship at Rathmullan Pier on Saturday 15 September from midday until 5.00pm and on Sunday 16 September from 4.00pm until 6.30pm. The tours will operate on a first come first served basis.
MEDIEVAL BANQUET
As part of the celebrations of the Flight of the Earls anniversary a Medieval Banquet is being held on Thursday 13 September in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.
The event commences at 7.30pm and tickets are ¤50 each.
According to Angela McLaughlin, co-ordinator of the celebrations for Donegal County Council the Donegal style Banquet will give people a flavour of the food and drink of the period as well as their after dinner activities.
"Come along and get a sense of what it was like to be entertained by the Earls ! Dressing up in period costume is optional on the night.
Here are some suggestions on how to DIY it, she said. Suggestions for the Ladies: - Wide, pleated ankle length skirt in either tweed, wool or linen. Tight waisted bodice, Wide, baggy sleeved blouse or shirt with tight cuffs, The wide, broad belts that have come back into fashion recently (approx. 4 inches deep) can also be worn over the blouse and skirt. Large piece of tweed thrown over one shoulder as a Mantle, or worn rakishly off the shoulder ! Held in place with a Cloak pin or Clasp. Cloak pin can be made from a huge curtain ring and a knitting needle! Strapped flat shoes or sandals.
Tickets for the banquet are available from the Mount Errigal Hotel, Tel. (074) 9122700 and from Saoire Failte Tel: (074) 9548891. To book an evening aboard the Jeanie Johnston An Grianan at (074) 9120777. For further information on the voyages aboard the tall ship contact the Flight of the Earls office on (074) 9194277. www.flightoftheearls.ie
