The bones of this project formed in January 2020. Edwina Guckian & Fionnuala Maxwell were investigating the strawing traditions in the calendar year of old Ireland. Investigating the Mummers tradition and because of Covid, they developed the Modern Day Mummers where we visited elderly people across Leitrim bringing a song, step and tune to their doorsteps during the lock downs. It gained huge traction across Ireland and abroad with many others looking to replicate in their own areas.
The resurrection of interest in oat growing and strawing traditions in Leitrim grew legs fast! In April 2021 Edwina received Creative Ireland funding for research and development of this project. She bought bags of oat seed. Working with many Leitrim community groups from all over the county and putting a wider call out to the general public, she set out with Fionnuala distributing the seed at 14 locations.
The uptake was phenomenal with great excitement and discussions about oat growing at each collection point by young and old. Since April over 150 have participated. The harvesting begins this Autumn with workshops in strawing traditions, harvest knots, strawboy hat and costume making, formation of mummers groups and much more.
Follow the project at www.sowingtheseedproject.com
Supported by Creative Ireland and Leitrim County Council
Watch here:
Processed with MOLDIV 
