2023 Awards

Heritage Hero Award

Awarded to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated – over a substantial period of time – an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage. This award is based on nominations from the public.

Winner: Brigid Fox

Originally from St Mullins in Carlow, Brigid Fox is a former principal of Kilmyshall National School and has been an advocate for local history and heritage in Carlow for over 20 years. She is being honoured with the 2023 Heritage Hero award for her outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage over that time.

Living Heritage Award

Awarded to the event or project that successfully encouraged a greater appreciation of an element of our Living Heritage- traditional crafts, skills and practices.

Winner: Maharees Conservation Association CLG

Event: The Living Heritage of Maharees

County: Kerry

Maharees Conservation Association invited all to explore the rich living heritage of Maharees on a guided trail of discovery and demonstration, learning about practices and skills passed down through generations.From stone wall to currach building; sea weed harvesting to vegetable growing, many of these skills are still very much part of life in Maharees today.Participants learned such nuggets as how to make a mutton pie for the Pattern and to ‘trim an oingin’, as they walked from Fahamore to Ceann Duimhche, stopping for demonstrations en route.

Inclusive Event Award

Awarded to an event or project that made a special effort to share heritage with everyone in the community across age groups, including those who are; new to heritage; those who do not have local roots; those who have additional accessibility needs.

This multisensory exhibition enabled visitors to Limerick’s Hunt Museum to experience a selection of objects from its collection through tactile displays and audio descriptions. Live audio-described tours of the museum were led by museum docents and a number of visually impaired co-curators.It was delivered through an inclusive co-creation process in which the group of blind and visually impaired co-curators harnessed their life experience of disability to produce accessibility design solutions that enriched the visitor experience and increased access and inclusion.

Wild Child Award- sponsored by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Awarded to an event or project that successfully encouraged children and families to enjoy and explore the heritage and biodiversity in their locality; to look at the world around them differently; to open their eyes to the diverse beauty of the landscape in their area.

Winner: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Event: Be a Marine Biologist for a Day
County: Clare

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group education team invited future marine biologists to explore the world of Ireland’s ocean giants at its headquarters in Kilrush, Co. Clare. In keeping with this year’s living heritage theme of passing knowledge and skills down through the generations, the event was aimed at children and included an introduction to whale and dolphin evolution and anatomy with real whale and dolphin bones, interactive games and a scavenger hunt. Participants also learned how to identify marine mammals and found out more about the ecosystem and conservation.

Water Heritage Award- sponsored by the Local Authority Waters Programme

Awarded to an event or project that best explored how a canal, river, lake or sea shaped the heritage of a locality or celebrates water as an integral part of our natural heritage, as well as being a vital part of our future, or reflects on what more we can do to conserve this valuable resource. The Water Heritage Award is in association with the Local authorities Water Programme

Winner: Inishowen Rivers Trust/ Loughs Agency
Event: Culdaff River Heritage Workshop
County: Donegal

Donegal’s Inishowen Rivers Trust and Derry based Loughs Agency organised a workshop with local historians to explore the relationships people have with their local river - and each other. Taking place at the Wee Hall in Culduff it provided participants with an opportunity to find out more about the history and significance of the river. Local historians spoke about various aspects of human interactions with the river down through the ages, from the early Christian sites to fishing today.

Irish Language Event Award

Awarded to an event or project that took place through the Irish Language and/or encouraged participation or activity in the Irish language.

Winner: Togra Fiontar & Cultúr Uladh CTR
Event: Feile Saibhreas na Síoraíochta
County: Donegal

Togra Fiontar and Cultúr Uladh in Donegal organised a guided tour packed with stories, folklore and jokes. It included an exploration of heritage houses starting at Teach Mhicí Mac Gabhann in the Parish of Cloughaneely, followed by a bus journey to Teach Mhúiris in the Parish of Gaoth Dobhair and from there on to the Teach Niall Ó Domhnaill in the Rosses. Along the way the group looked at heritage down through the years, including a display of old tools and working methods, while in Loughanure participants found out about the lime industry and the key part it played in the history of Loughanure.

Sustainable and Climate Award

Awarded to an event or project that made a special effort to incorporate environmentally friendly practices to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the natural world OR an event that provided education on the impact of climate change and good sustainability practice.

Winner: Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
Event: SPAB Ireland Working Party 2023 in Cavan
County: Cavan

Their event, entitled SPAB Ireland Working Party, took place at Rothaí Mill in Cavan – home to a group of structures consisting of a mill, millers’ cottage, and kilns.The mill is over 200 years old. It has two water wheels - one for shelling and one for grinding, each powered by a different water source, a completely unique feature in all of Ireland. It was thatched until 1959 and stopped operating over 50 years ago, in 1969. The working party provided a unique opportunity for building professionals, craftspeople, general builders, students, homeowners, and experienced enthusiasts alike to learn more about traditional conservation building skills through hands-on experience.

County Winners

Each year with the support of local authority heritage officers, the best event is selected from each county for the county awards. The winners for 2023 were:

ARMAGH

Placenames are our Stroytellers - An evening of stories, language, music and social history exploring the living heritage of the local community through its townlands.

CARLOW

The History of the Ambulance Service - Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society offered participants a chance to find out about its local ambulance service down through the decades. In 1864 it consisted of two horse drawn vehicles.

CAVAN

The Spirit of Kilmore - Choirs, soloists, the Mullaghboy Accordion Band, uillean piper Daniel Brady and reed organ restorer Fr Darragh Connolly provided beautiful music in the beautiful surrounds of Kilmore cathedral.

The Spirit of Kilmore event

CLARE

Clarecastle and Ballyea Our Living Heritage - Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Group organised an exhibition celebrating 60 years of Tidy Towns which included a guided viewing of historic Barntick House and a display of ancient farm machinery.

CORK CITY

Gunpowdermill Walk and Talk - Ballincollig Heritage Festival created a tour by local historian Jenny Webb of Ballincollig’s historic Gunpowdermills, one of the largest industrial archaeological sites in Ireland and one with an incredible history.

CORK COUNTY

Big American Swim - The American Pier Cobh Association’s Big American Swim focused attention on the US presence in Cobh during WW1 and the “American pier” which has been focal point for outdoor recreation in the town ever since.

DERRY

Online programme of virtual tours, videos and exhibitions to celebrate local heritage and history - A full programme of online events exploring various aspects of local heritage and history of Derry. The programme included virtual tours, exploring the city walls, historic cannons and more.

DONEGAL

Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Experience - Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter organised a ‘Walking History Tour’ of Letterkenny’s Cathedral Quarter, a part of the town with a rich history filled with characters brought back to life for Heritage Week through tales and costumed actors.

DOWN

Cursai Gaeilge - Two Irish Language evening events take place for anyone attending to improve their Irish. One event for Adult Total Beginners, with Dr. Niall Comer (University of Ulster) and the other (delivered through Irish) for those seeking to practise Irish in a total immersion environment, with Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid.

DUBLIN CITY

The Liberties Weavers Walking Tour - The Liberties Weavers’ event showcased Dublin’s Liberties as a centre of textile production stretching back more than 1000 years, a little-known fact explored in a guided walk of the area.

DUBLIN – DÚN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN

Tour around Rathdown Union Workhouse and GraveyardAn informative walking tour by local historian Billy Byrne outside of the Rathdown Union Workhouse –now better known as Loughlinstown Hospital – and including the workhouse graveyard.

DUBLIN - FINGAL

Rural Village Wildflower RambleBallyboughal Hedgerow Society took participants on botanic walk to discover the wild and wonderful flowers on local walls and hedges and along Ballyboughal Brook.

DUBLIN - SOUTH DUBLIN

Launch of Threading the Tower – recreating Clondalkin’s Round Tower in Crochet LaneClondalkin library showcased the work of local lacemakers in creating a replica of the Clondalkin Round Tower using traditional techniques.FERMANAGH Explore Early Christian Heritage at Benaughlin Get to explore the geology, history, and heritage of Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark with local guide Andy for a two hour walk around the beautiful Benaughlin mountain as he shares the story of the early Christin Heritage of the area.

GALWAY CITY

Dry Stonewalling Workshops - Friends of Merlin Woods organised stonewall workshops led by Fergus Packman, one of Ireland’s top stone masons.

GALWAY COUNTY

Celebration of the Centenary of An Garda SíochánaOughterard Heritage Group created an exhibition providing an insight into the founding of An Garda Síochána, with a particular focus on policing County Galway and its Gaeltacht.

KERRY

Asdee Water Heritage - This from Asdee Community Development explored the history of the Kerry village, from its first settlers to how it got its name, including a look at all the wildlife on Littor strand, where the Asdee River meets the Shannon.

KILDARE

Ballitore Library, Museum and Market House - Conservator Damien Condon of Calx Restoration hosted engaging talks about the history of the community library and museum in Ballitore and on the development of the Market House in Ballitore, including a demonstration of lime render techniques.

KILKENNY

The Song of the Scythe - The Acorn Project’s day of scything and a farmland pollinator walks included a workshop on how to set up your scythe for success, and achieve a good mowing technique.LAOIS20th Century Walking Tour of Portlaoise NIAHA tour of some of the 20th century buildings of Portlaoise that often do not receive the attention they deserve including the only round house in the county d the county Hospital.

LEITRIM

The Half of the Moon and the Whole of the Hill - Mohill Historical Society and Friends invited all to discover Mohill through its music, songs, poetry and stories, with a traditional singer and guide taking them on an entertaining walk through town.

LIMERICK

Mysterious Monuments - Bruff Tidy Towns gave people a chance to look at what lies beneath, in a guided walk led by Aine Brosnan to see what lay hidden in the water, behind the ditches and under the ivy of Ballygrennan Castle.

LONGFORD

Tour of Edgeworthstown- The Maria Edgeworth Centre offered visitors a tour of historical sites associated with Goldsmith, Oscar Wilde and William Wordsworth, to name just a few.

LOUTH

Hooley Booley Cooley - Cooley Connect Well organised a weekend of events including a hill walk, exploration of booleying and stone heritage, a film, set dancing, and basket making.

MAYO

The Irishtown Piper – A celebration organised by Irishtown Heritage Group to honour the memory of the Brooklyn-based Uilleann Piper Michael Carney (1872–1938), a native of the Mayo village.

MEATH

Navan – its People and its Past - Seminar organised by Navan and District Historical Society included talks on everything from the town’s wildlife to its history of carpet and furniture making.

MONAGHAN

The Heritage of Music in Co. Monaghan - An evening remembering the music scene in Castleblayney in days of yore from Laragh Heritage, and seeing how the town’s musical heritage has continued through the generations.

OFFALY

St Brochan’s Well- Bracknagh Heritage Society invited all to gather at - and celebrate - the well of St. Brochan, a site reckoned to have rivalled Clonmacnoise or Glendalough in its day.

ROSCOMMON

The Wrought Iron Farm Gate - Farming Rathcroghan provided a talk on Ireland’s traditional wrought iron farm gate, exploring its role in our farming landscape, and as “totem poles” of past land wars.

SLIGO

Thatching: A demonstration of techniques, tools and materials - Sligo Field Club gave us opportunity to find out more about this most traditional of roof coverings led by Susanne Bojkovsky, who completed her thatcher’s apprenticeship decades ago.TIPPERARYBianconi Carriage DriveCahir Social and Historical Society organised a convoy of horse-drawn carriages from the transport hub of the Bianconi network, Hearn’s Hotel in Clonmel.

WATERFORD

Aonach na nDéise - This Viking heritage celebration at Woodstown on the Waterford Greenway saw battle re-enactments, Viking games, and a Viking Craft Village.

WESTMEATH

Connaught Street History and Heritage Walk - Connaught Street and environs traders – and residents – organised an event which saw historian Gearoid O’Brien take participants on a walking tour to learn more about this historic part of town.

WEXFORD

Castletown River and Nature Festival 2023Friends of Ahare River Biodiversity Group held a number of festival events including a bat walk, a conference on river and farm-based biodiversity, and an exhibition of children’s stories.

WICKLOW

200 Years of Ballyknockan – a living history - A fascinating guided tour of Ballyknockan by eighth generation stonecutters the O’Flaherty family. Ballyknockan is known as The Granite Village or The Skeleton of Dublin because of its role in many of Ireland’s historical buildings.