Mouse Master, Aoife and Strongbow and James the Golden Eagle!
Friday 17th August 2012: Over the next seven days, over 600,000 people are expected to take part in National Heritage Week, which kicks off tomorrow, Saturday 18th August, and runs until Sunday 26th August. This year the week has hit a new record with over 1550 event due to take place nationwide.
The majority of events are FREE to attend and the message from the Heritage Council, coordinators of the week, is to get out and experience the heritage on your doorstep.To find out what is happening throughout the week, log on to www.heritageweek.ie, download the free iPhone / Android Heritage Week Event App or pick up a copy of the Event Guide in your local tourist information office.
Throughout the week people will have the opportunity to learn about birds of prey in Woodlands Falconry, attend a reenactment of the 842nd anniversary of Strongbow’s marriage to Aoife in Waterford, visit the MouseMaster at the Casino Marino & unravel the riddle of the Mysterious Mice of this 18th Century garden temple, enjoy a unique historical reenactment of life on board the Titanic in Laois, explore Athlone Masonic Hall on its second only opening since 1739, view Olympic posters dating back to 1952 in Donegal, take a tour of Beamish & Crawford Brewery in Cork, walk through hurling history in Tipperary, experience the iconic bells of Christ Church, learn about the big wheel used to spin wool in Galway, view the cars and motorcycles that raced in the Curragh from 1947-1967, tour Scattery Island in Clare, take a family tree masterclass in Kilkenny or even enjoy an Edwardian tea party in Wicklow.
National Heritage Week is coordinated by the Heritage Council, the agency tasked with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland’s national heritage. Speaking on the eve of the week Michael Starrett, CEO of the Heritage Council said, “once again we have seen a fantastic response to National Heritage Week with hundreds of people volunteering their time to organise events in their local areas. When the Heritage Council first took over the running of National Heritage Week in 2005 there were just 500 events taking place during the week. Today the week has tripled in size and this is a direct result of the increasing levels of community involvement we are seeing nationwide. I would encourage everyone to check what events are happening in their local areas, you may be surprised to see what heritage is on your doorstep”.
As well as attending events throughout the week, you can also get involved by entering one of the two competitions run by the Heritage Council during the week. The first is for a two night stay in a Blue Book property. To enter all you need to do is answer three simple built heritage questions. Log on to www.heritageweek.ie to enter the competition, closing date for entries is 31st of August.
The annual National Heritage Week Photo Competition is now also open for entries. Images do not have to be taken during National Heritage Week but must have been taken in 2012. This year’s theme is Built Heritage. Simply submit an image(s) that you think captures Ireland’s Built Heritage. Images can be the interior or exterior of your favourite building, monument or ruin (historic or contemporary), a feature that captures your imagination (a window, door, handle, stairway), an interesting streetscape, a group of buildings, or examples of where built heritage meets natural heritage. To enter, upload your pictures to the official Heritage Week Photo Competition Site: http://pix.ie/group/heritageweek . The closing date for entries is 31st August 2012.
Complete event listings are also available on the National Heritage Week website, www.heritageweek.ie or on the FREE iPhone / Android Heritage Week App. You can also follow us on Twitter @heritageweek or the Heritage Week Facebook page.
A sample of events coming up this weekend – 18th and 19th August 2012:
- Galway Latin Quarter Tour, 18 August: 15:30 – 17:15 Let me take you around Galway’s Latin Quarter to see where Christopher Columbus prayed, the King’s Head, and much more. This event will go ahead regardless of the weather so please bring an umbrella. There may be an admission fee for St. Nicholas Collegiate Church of 2euro if the group is brought inside.
- Fethard Walled Town Medieval Festival, Tipperary, 18th August 14.00 – 23.00 & 19th August 12.00 – 16.00 Come to the 6th annual Fethard Walled Town Medieval Festival and visit the best small walled town in Ireland! See www.fethard.com for archived news from previous years and for photos and a flavour of this very colourful family festival.
- The Hollywood Fair, Co. Wicklow, 18th August : 18:00 – 23:45 and 19th August : 14:00 – 22:45 Depicting Life in the pre-1950’s era including a sheep fair, traditional crafts, music, ceili and games, vintage vehicles and machinery. Fun for all the family! Check out www.thehollywoodfair.com and Facebook page “Hollywood Fair August 2012″ for a comprehensive list of activities.
- Glenribbeen BatWatch , Lismore, Co. Waterford, 18th & 19th August 20.30 – 22.00 & 24-26th August 20.30 – 22.00 Short lecture on Irish bats followed by a 300m walk down and back along a stream to witness 3 different forms of bats. Suitable for all ages. Initial lecture by cars so disabled can listen (walk not wheelchair accessible). Bring warm clothes, good walking shoes/boots, insect repellant and a torch/flashlight.
- Cork City Heritage Open Day, 18th August.Cork City Heritage Open Day is a unique event celebrating Cork City’s amazing architecture, tradition and history. For one day only, over 38 buildings not usually open to the public will allow entry to all free of charge!
Whale Watch Ireland 2012, 19th August, Location: All around Ireland. 16 headlands. Time: 2:00-5:00 PM Cost: Free event - Ancient Music Ireland Concert, Kerry, 19th August : 16:00 – 17:30 A concert featuring replica instruments from the stone age to early medieval times. Venue: Siamsa Tire, Town Park Tralee, Kerry.
Fairytales At The Enchanted Wood, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre 19th August : 14:00 – 16:00 Follow the pebble path with Hansel and Gretel,watch snow-white at work in her house, have a picnic at Goldilock’s house bring a teddy bear! A magical day for children of all ages. Meet at the visitor centre. No booking required. This will be a magical fairytale day at the enchanted woods near Ashtown Castle.
ENDS
Further information:
Michelle Tritschler, MKC Communications, 01 7038604 / 086 3846630
Isabell Smyth, Heritage Council, 056 777 0 777 / 087 9676889
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 Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht, 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 coordinated in Ireland by the Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 49 countries across Europe.
