FANTASY OR REALITY?… Only time will tell
THIS Celtic settlement is tipped to become a tourist attraction in Fermanagh like no other.
The celtic settlement could be the first to be created in Ireland and indeed the world offering an experience involving educational, historical and cultural learning of the Celts.
The ambitious task of creating the educational and historical settlement lies in the hands of the Celtic Living Experience group, a committee set up to oversee and develop the proposed project.
Made up of five local people, the group, who have strong knowledge and interest in Celtic life, said the project could create employment, attract tourism and investment into the local economy.
The proposed project has stirred a lot of interest in Fermanagh with local representatives edging support for the tourist attraction.
Celtic Living Experience hopes to enlist help from local historical groups and schools as well as universities.
The group are awaiting a feasibility study to be carried out of the project which will establish its potential.
Following the discovery of the crannog site at the new A32 Cherrymount link road last year there has been an upsurge in interest of the area.
The crannog – an artificial island in a lake – was uncovered last July and the area was sealed off for seven weeks to allow archaeologists to excavate the discovery.
However the crannog was deemed too fragile to preserve rather than excavate.
The group said the threat of fracking in Fermanagh poses a problem for the project and could effect any sites earmarked for the settlement.
Following the G8, the group believe that Fermanagh will be tourist hot-spot and hope visitors from all over the world who share an interest in the Celts life will make it a designated stop-off.
A spokesman for the project, who at this stage wanted to remain anonymous, said: “The geographical location and construction of the dwellings would have to be authentic and unique, in order to create a truly memorable experience which presently exits nowhere else in the world.
“The project would involved the recreation of a Celtic fortress or village.
“These dwellings were constructed from natural materials like clay, wood, thatch, stone and reeds.
“Everyone wishing to participate in the experience must be prepared to live as a Celt, this includes the wearing of authentic clothing and participating in all aspects of the entire concept.
“The Celtic farmers had cattle which provided milk, meat and hides.
“All visitors would be given the opportunity and encouraged to participate in the working aspects of the farm, preparation and cooking meals, spinning, dying, waving and production of garments.
“They would also do fishing, pottery, stone carving, wood carving, Celtic art, reconstruction of battles and archery.”
There Celts stretched across all parts of the world and became Europe’s first multicultural nation and occupied an area which ran from Ireland to Asia.
The Celtic Living Experience group say that millions of people across the world share a heritage with the Celts, including the 17 million Irish Americans.
For further information about the project email celticlivingexperience@outlook.com.
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