Inside the Irish National Heritage Park’s new archery, axe throwing and spear throwing range

With Heritage Week upon us, the Irish National Heritage Park is offering a range of talks and activities including a chance to fire a bow, throw an axe and even launch a spear…

Saturday the 16^th of August marked the beginning of Ireland’s annual Heritage Week, a time of the year in which people celebrate Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage. Organised by the Heritage Council, Heritage Week is one of the largest cultural celebrations in Ireland with over 2,000 events planned nationwide.

When a person thinks of Wexford’s heritage, a number of locations likely come to mind. One of which is surely the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig. This 35-acre open-air museum reconstructs thousands of years of Irish history from ancient Ireland to medieval times. The Heritage Park is known for its living history approach with its various reconstructed historical buildings and costumed guides. It also has a falconry centre that boasts many impressive birds of prey including hawks, owls and falcons.

As of this summer, the Heritage Park has a new facility: a dedicated archery, axe throwing and spear throwing area aptly named ‘The Range’. Here, park visitors can pay for a 45-minute session of all three exciting activities.

Archery, the most famous of the three activities, has strong ties to culture and heritage. Bows have been used for hunting and warfare since ancient times but are most associated with the medieval period when they became the preferred weapon of the English army. Folk heroes like Robin Hood and William Tell have helped archery become a symbol of heroism and skill, with the latter famously shooting an apple off his son’s head.

Axe throwing has become an unlikely popular pastime in recent years. Numerous venues around Ireland like Axe Junkies in Waterford and Game of Throwing in Dublin offer people a unique way to socialize and have fun. Spear throwing is even more unique again; there are few places in Ireland that offer this activity. By offering all three, The Range is a one-of-a-kind facility and an exciting addition to the Irish National Heritage Park.

Sessions at The Range are currently being offered at a rate of 12 euro per person. To participate you must be over 12 years of age and wearing appropriate footwear (no open-toe shoes for safety reasons). Tickets can be purchased at The Range by card at selected times after paying into the park.

The Irish National Heritage Park is a non-profit organisation where all money made from admissions and sales goes into the maintenance and running of the park.

The Range has an impressive layout of three throwing cages where enthusiastic participants can fire their bows, throw their axes and launch their spears. An instructor is present at all sessions to demonstrate each activity and monitor customer safety.

The Range will be in operation until the end of August and is expected to play a role in the future of the park. For more information, you can enquire by phone or email here.

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