Traditional crosses herald new season of crafts on iconic Hill of O’Neill

AS the darkness recedes with every passing day, the traditional crafting of the St Brigid’s Crosses for the saint’s feast day on February 1 is still seen by many as the start of spring time.

At Dungannon’s equally historic Hill of The O’Neill, a dedicated class on making the crosses also heralds a new season of creativity at the civic centre, with a series of classes and workshops.

On Saturday, January 29, Heather McDermot from Willowcraft will give a demonstration on to how make the St Brigid’s crosses

In times past, St Brigid’s Day marked the beginning of light and growth and the survival of another long dark winter.

Rushes were gathered and formed into a three legged Triskele or a Cross which in later times became part of the Christian tradition and was then called the St Brigid’s Cross.

Heather will help participants in weaving their very own Cross or Triskele symbol using rushes. They will also learn about the myth and lore associated with the Cross as well as the customs and rituals associated with Imbolc.

pottery

Next up is a six-week pottery course led by Shauna McCann, which will be held on Monday, January, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28 February and March 7 from 7pm – 9pm in the Tower Room.

This series of classes will allow participants to go create their own hand-built pottery from designs, ideas and templates.

Finished pieces will be glazed in class and fired in a kiln to take home.

writing

Creative writing is on offer with local author Emma Heatherington, with a six-week course held on Tuesdays and starting on February 1.

The class will give hints and tips of how to get started as a creative writer, how to flourish your ideas and bring them to life on paper and to how to approach publishers and agents with your finished work.

Emma Heatherington is the author of 13 novels which have been published by HarperCollins in Ireland, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Holland and Hungary.

floral art

Also starting on February 1, is a six-week floral art course with tutor Sinead Goodwin.

In this six-week course, participants will learn the principles and elements of floral design.

Each week you will take home a different flower arrangement to keep, from table centerpieces, baskets, to modern arrangements.

The course is suitable for beginners and the more advanced flower arranger.

guitars

Guitars take centre stage from Monday, February 7 with an eight-week course from James Mulligan. In this specifically designed guitar workshop for beginners and intermediates, you’ll learn all the basics and more.

With downloadable online materials and video tutorials that go hand in hand with each week’s lesson, it’s now never been easier to learn the guitar and play your favourite songs.

James will teach you the seven most popular chords in pop music for you to learn 1000s of songs, how to play barre chords properly to learn more demanding songs of your choice.

You will learn how to develop strumming and picking techniques based on your ability.

For more information and to book places on the classes visit the website www.hilloftheoneill.com