Join Jo Coffey for a free workshop, “Churches of our Ancestors: Newgrange and other Megalithic Monuments in Ireland” Saturday, October 18 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco.

Around 7,000 years ago, Europeans began building massive stone structures, masterpieces of architecture, art and engineering, that were expressions of an impulse that later gave rise to the temples of ancient Greece and still later to the cathedrals of medieval Christianity. In Ireland, these ancient megalithic structures continued to be built until about 2,000 BCE (BC), and some continued in use for centuries after that. Even after they passed from use they didn’t disappear. They remained alive in the stories, as the fairy mounds of the Tuatha Dé Danaan, the beds of Diarmuid and Gráinne. Today, they are again attracting ordinary humans. As one example, more than 125,000 people visited Newgrange in County Meath last year.

Jo will introduce these treasures of Irish heritage through slides and lecture, and participants will be invited to engage with these places by drawing some of the beautiful, mysterious symbols carved on the stones.

Refreshments will be served. The workshop is free, but donations to cover expenses will be gratefully accepted. For more information, call 415-585-6506.