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​20 free things to do on the second weekend of Heritage Week!

It’s the final weekend of National Heritage Week 2019, but don’t worry because there are still plenty of exciting events taking place right across the country! So make sure to take the opportunity this weekend to delve into Ireland’s Pastimes | Past Times and get involved in a Heritage Week activity near you, such as tracing your family tree; spending an evening at a pop-up Gaeltacht; or taking part in a Viking Heritage Day!

Here’s just a small flavour of some of the Heritage Week events taking place across Ireland this weekend.

Make a Splash this Water Heritage Day – Sunday, 25th August

With Water Heritage Day taking place this Sunday, 25^th August, here is a spotlight on some of the many events that are taking place across the country as part of the National Heritage Week programme.

20 free things to do on the first weekend of Heritage Week

It’s the eve of National Heritage Week 2019 and there a plenty of exciting events taking place during the first weekend of National Heritage Week! Take the opportunity this weekend to attend some free events happening across the country: attend a medieval day, go on a guided tour of a castle, learn how to recognise bird song or spend an hour visiting an archaeological dig in Glendalough!

Here are just some of the free Heritage Week events happening across Ireland this weekend!

If Trees Could Talk: celebrating the majesty of trees

The Heritage Council hosts eye-catching installation in Merrion Square to celebrate the heritage of our trees

Visit a castle or country house this Heritage Week!

Ireland is very lucky to have a wealth of wonderfully preserved castles and country houses scattered across the length and breadth of the country. So, whether you want to spend an afternoon strolling through the gardens of Kilkenny Castle, soak up the history of Derrynane House, or take in the views from the top of Trim Castle’s tower, there are plenty of options to explore this Heritage Week.

Here is just a small selection of castles, country houses and gardens which will be open, free of charge, on various dates between 17 – 25 August. Go and explore!

Let’s talk about heritage – our top ten Heritage Week talks

Heritage Week is all about getting involved, but sometimes, you just want to sit back and listen. There are talks on a whole range of topics this National Heritage Week: from beekeeping, to historical cures, to fairies. Attend with the whole family or take some time to yourself and become fully immersed in a topic of your choice.

Here are just some of the picks from the hundreds of Heritage Week talks happening across Ireland between 17 – 25 August.

A spotlight on 10 Heritage Week events for children and family

One of the great things about National Heritage Week is that it gives the whole family a chance to share new and exciting cultural experiences together. Whether you have a budding historian, a future artist, or an inspired archaeologist at home, there’s an event for all young heritage enthusiasts to enjoy.

Here are just some of our family friendly Heritage Week event picks. So get the family together this August and unravel the evolution of our pastimes, before the school holidays draw to a close. Oh, and don’t forget ‘Wild Child Day’ falls on Wednesday, 21^st August.

Heritage Week 2019 launches with a host of unique events celebrating Irish Pastimes from Past Times

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, TD, has launched National Heritage Week 2019, which takes place nationwide from Saturday, 17th to Sunday 25th August. The week will showcase the joy, diversity and accessibility that can be found within our country’s rich heritage. As a nation of storytellers, all of our heritage is linked to stories of people, places, moments and things.

Heritage Week 2019 will be a call to action for people to discover, interpret and embrace their heritage and in turn create their own new pastime - to become an explorer, an archaeologist, a storyteller, a wildlife enthusiast.

With almost 2000 events taking place throughout the country, there is undoubtedly an event for everyone, no matter their age or interests. The eclectic offering of events in this year’s schedule includes picnics and parties, talks and tours, ceilís, crafts and craic, all of which serve to make our country’s heritage more inclusive than ever.

National Heritage Week is a celebration of Ireland's built, natural and cultural heritage and aims to generate awareness, appreciation and preservation of our wonderful resources.

This year The Heritage Council’s chosen theme for Heritage Week is the celebration of Pastimes and Past Times.

Speaking on the importance of Heritage week, Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan said “I pay tribute to the hundreds of individuals and communities across Ireland who, every year, give of themselves to stage events and share their interest in heritage with the public at large. This commitment is the backbone of our heritage, and it is more important than ever, given the imperatives around climate action, that we nurture those who nurture our heritage.”

The Heritage Week programme features events for all ages, most of which are free to attend. Highlights include:

'A Modern Eye: Helen Hooker O'Malley's Ireland'. Dublin City. 21^st August. National Photographic Archive, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. This event will celebrate the work of Helen Hooker O'Malley with music and readings of her unpublished poetry in the photographic exhibition. The National Library's National Photographic Archive.

Ceramics and Geology Workshop, The Elliott Centre, Kilkee, Smyths Gardens,

Kilkee, Co Clare. - 17th August

Join us on a material journey from earth to pot, exploring the geological history of Co. Clare and the transformation of earth materials into fired ceramics with a geological twist.

Medieval Warfare Re-enactment, Ormond Castle, Tipperary – 18^th August

An afternoon of action as fully armoured warriors battle for survival, using steel replica armour and weapons in full contact medieval fighting. Meet the warriors and see their weapons

Coastal Heritage Cruise – Cruit & Owey Islands, Donegal – 20 – 23^rd August

Explore the spectacular rugged coastline and Irish place names, discovering past times and life on the islands while breathing the fresh sea air

Wild Child Day - Wednesday 21 August

On this day, event organisers are encouraged to host events specifically for children, from history hunts and storytelling sessions to crafts workshops.

Fireside Ceili, Backyard, Moynehall, Cavan - 21st August

Fireside Ceili, with music, song, dance and traditional refreshments.

Water Heritage Day - Sunday 25 August

Together with the Local Authority Waters Programme, we celebrate our most precious natural resource in all its forms, from the sea to rivers, lakes and ponds.

Speaking ahead of the launch of Heritage Week 2019 the CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said “The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week – ‘Pastimes | Past Times’ – is one that will appeal to anyone who can remember what it is to be a child, who has a hobby, enjoys a craft, is an enthusiastic collector, plays an instrument or just likes to tell stories. We hope this year, as in previous years, you find something to enjoy by yourself, with friends or with family.”

Coordinated by the Heritage Council since 2005, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events. Last year, more than half a million people attended in excess of 2,200 events across the country, most of which were hosted by communities, volunteers and individuals who champion Ireland’s heritage in its many forms.

A spotlight on 10 workshop events to get hands-on with this Heritage Week

Take the opportunity this National Heritage Week to explore the many workshops and craft events taking place across the country. This is a great opportunity to learn something new or show off your existing skills. Grown ups and kids alike are encouraged to get hands-on with the range of events on offer, from spoon carving, to research, to dry wall building.

Here are just some of our workshop Heritage Week picks, so roll up your sleeves this August and get involved.

Heritage Council calls for event submissions for Water Heritage Day as part of Heritage Week 2019

The Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme has issued a final call for event registrations for Water Heritage Day, Sunday 25^th August, as part of National Heritage Week 2019. Water Heritage Day seeks to celebrate water and our many connections with it.