Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will hold its annual Imbolc celebration, a festival honouring Celtic traditions and St. Brigid, tomorrow (Sunday, February 2).

The Co. Clare attraction’s family-friendly event, which takes place from 11.00a.m to 5.00p.m, offers visitors the opportunity to meet native Irish animals and embrace the crafts, traditions, and customs that characterise the spring season. Marie Brennan, events manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, said: "Our Imbolc celebration will bring visitors on a journey back to old Ireland to experience and learn more about Ireland’s pastoral traditions.

“We pride ourselves on showcasing what life was like in Ireland at the turn of the last century and how traditional crafts were a prominent feature in communities across the island.

"We are keeping this tradition alive and are promising people of all ages a fun-filled, interactive and educational experience," she said. Visitors will be able to learn how to make a St. Brigid's cross, an iconic symbol that has graced Irish homes for centuries.

Bunratty's mná an tí will guide people through the traditional craft, demonstrating the meticulous process of weaving straw or rushes into the distinctive cross shape.

Butter-making demonstrations will take place throughout the day, and the art of willow weaving will be showcased as Tom Delaney of Ould Crafty makes traditional style baskets and other items from locally sourced willow.

Regularly featured on TV, Tom also uses willow to make bird feeders, plant supports, boats, and willow houses.

A variety of native Irish animals - from peafowl and Kerry bog ponies to Irish red deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish wolfhounds, Rian and Mide - will be there as part of the castle's ongoing work to increase awareness of native Irish breeds and how they have formed part of Ireland’s social and cultural history down through the centuries.

Children’s entertainment will be provided by a host of characters located throughout the 26ac folk park.

A traditional music seisiún will take place and the resident seanchaí, Mickey Joe, will recall tales of bygone days and traditional ways preserved over the centuries at Corry's Pub on the village street.

Meanwhile, Konor the clown will perform magic, juggling and music in the corn barn, where there will be a ball pit and giant games for toddlers to enjoy.

The Bunratty express train will run throughout the folk park on the day.

As the folk park farm springs into life for the new season, the Clare vintage and engine tractor club will exhibit an array of vintage agricultural machinery at work, including water pumps and stationary engines that are over 100 years old. Said to be Ireland’s largest trove of vintage farm machinery,  the Talbot collection, will be on display.

Over 50 items of machinery from ploughs to hay rakes, and from traditional threshing machines to turnip and mangel seeders will be lined up.

The reduced rate that is running at present of €12.50 per adult and €10 per child will apply on the day.