Thursday 13th August 2009 : Kilkenny Castle is to play host to the official opening of National Heritage Week on Saturday 22nd August 2009.
The day will kick off with the Clonmel Marching Band, who will march through the parade in Kilkenny to the Castle. Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Michael Finneran, T.D. will then officially open National Heritage Week.
Highlights of the day will include traditional skill demonstrations and workshops, cookery demonstrations with renowned Irish chef Clodagh McKenna, children’s entertainment, celtic drumming workshops, military re-enactments, storytelling and traditional games.
Speaking in advance of the opening, Heritage Week Coordinator, Rebecca Reynolds said, "Over 4000 people attended the opening of National Heritage Week in Kilkenny Castle last year. The opening on Saturday promises to be a great day out for all the family. All of the entertainment is free of charge and there is something for both young and old to enjoy".
"We are very excited to be welcoming renowned Irish chef, Clodagh McKenna to Kilkenny. She is going to be doing three very interesting demo’s which will cover Fresh from the Sea, Family Suppers under €15 and Kids Lunchboxes, and will be on hand to answer any culinary questions people may have", added Reynolds.
National Heritage Week Opening, Saturday 22nd August, Kilkenny Castle 12- 5pm
Schedule of the day:
- 12 - 12.30pm: Opening by Clonmel Marching Band up the parade
- 12.30-1.00pm: Address by Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Michael Finneran, T.D.
- 2.00-2.30pm: Cookery Demonstrations with Clodagh McKenna - Fresh from the Sea
- 3.00-3.30pm: Cookery Demonstrations with Clodagh McKenna - Family Suppers for €15
- 4.00-4.30pm: Cookery Demonstrations with Clodagh McKenna - Kids Lunchboxes
- 2.30-3.00pm & 4.00-4.30pm: Story Telling with renowned Seanchaí Eddie Lenihan
- 2.00-3.00pm: Tree Walks with John McLoughlin of the Tree Council
- 3.00-3.30pm & 4.30-5.00pm: Puppet Show with Miriam Lambert
- 1.30-2.00pm & 2.30-3.00pm & 3.30-4.00 pm: Traditional Games
- 2.00-2.30pm & 3.30-4.00pm & 4.30-5.00pm : Celtic Drum Workshops with Piper
- 1.30-2.00pm & 2.30-3.00pm & 4.30-5.00pm : Traditional Irish Music
- All Day: Traditional Skill demonstrations & workshops to include Pole Lathe Turning, Dry Stone Walling & Stone Carving, Butter Making, Thatching, Wrought Ironwork, Hurley Making by Hand, Spinning & Weaving
- All Day: Farmer’s Market
- All Day: Animal & Bird Enclosure
- All Day: Roaming Jester
- All Day: Medieval Reenactments & Armory Display
- All Day: Birds of Prey
- All Day: ENGO Stalls to include Irish Seed Savers, Coillte Kilkenny, Coastwatch, Irish Seal Sanctuary, CELT
Further details on the opening day of National Heritage Week Opening and events taking place during the week will be available www.heritageweek.ie
Copies of the National Heritage Week Event Guide will be available free at OPW Sites, Heritage Centres & Historical Societies, Fáilte Ireland Tourist Offices, Libraries, CNCI Members, NPWS Sites, Heritage Officers and County Councils, An Óige Hostels, Various Individual Museums (MSPI Participants), Bus Eireann Stations and various Hotels across the country.
National Heritage Week is co-ordinated by The Heritage Council and funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 49 countries across Europe.
ENDS
Note to Editor:
The Heritage Council is the statutory body charged with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland’s national heritage. National heritage includes Monuments, Archaeological objects, Heritage objects, Architectural heritage, Flora, Fauna, Wildlife habitats, Landscapes, Seascapes, Wrecks, Geology, Heritage gardens and parks, and Inland waterways.
Established under the Heritage Act 1995, and operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Heritage Council provides advice to the Minister, and partners and networks with Local Authorities and a wide range of other organisations and individuals to promote Ireland’s heritage.
National Heritage Week is co-ordinated in Ireland by the Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe.
Further information:
Michelle Guinan, MKC Communications, 01 7038604 / 086 3846630
Isabell Smyth, Head of Communications & Education, The Heritage Council, 087 967 6889
Michelle Guinan, Senior Client Manager
MKC Communications
The Archway, 4 Lower Pembroke St,
Dublin 2.
T: 00353 1 703 8604
F: 00353 1 678 8331
M: 00353 86 3846630
Email: michelle@mkc.ie
www.mkc.ie