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, 21st August!
1. Children’s Birdwatching Event, Co. Kildare
There are so many different birds to discover, but where to begin? Birdwatch Ireland Kildare to the rescue. They are inviting all your little bird enthusiasts to a family friendly day where they will showcase the varied birdlife in Kildare. Learn all about bird songs, feeding them and what we can do to help them survive in an ever-changing and challenging environment. This event will take place on Saturday, 17th August from 10.30am to 4pm. More information is available here.
2. The Ancient Art of Hurley Making, Co. Longford
Did you know that hurling is one of our oldest pastimes? Learn all about the history of the hurley, through a live hurley making demonstration with Joseph Mackey. This will be a great afternoon where the whole family can get involved. The demonstration will take place on Sunday, 25th August from 3pm to 4pm. more information is available here.
3. The Tales of Fionn McCool, Co. Tipperary
Bring your blankets and enjoy an entertaining family friendly outdoor play based on the famous legend of Fionn McCool. Suitable for children aged five and above, this will prove to be an exciting afternoon, and if the weather is nice why not pack a picnic. This event will take place at Cahir Castle on Sunday, 25th August from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. More information is available here.
4. Warrior Scarecrow Festival, Co. Sligo
He who scares, wins. Spend an afternoon admiring the Warrior Scarecrows at Dolly’s Cottage, Strandhill and decide which one would be fit to guard the Warrior Queen’s crops. There will be music, stories and afternoon tea served up at the foot of Medhbh’s own resting place. This event will take place on Sunday, 25th August from 2pm to 5pm. More information is available here.
5. GPO Tour Guide Training, Dublin
Would you like to be a tour guide for the afternoon? Well the GPO Witness History exhibition is giving you a special chance to get involved and do just that. Learn all about the collection and get some expert tips on how to be a great tour guide. This event will take place on Saturday, 17th and Friday, 23rd August from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. More information is available here.
6. Build a Miniature Castle, Co. Donegal
Have you got an aspiring architect or designer at home? Why not bring them along to help build a Lego scale model of Burt Castle in Newtowncunningham. This is a great opportunity to get the young ones involved in something historical, creative and fun. The build will take place from Tuesday, 20th to Thursday, 22nd August from 10am to 2pm each day. More information is available here.
7. Wild Child: Birr Castle Gardens, Co. Offaly
Wednesday, 21st August is Wild Child Day - a day for the little ones to explore their "wild side” and get involved in our culture and heritage through all sorts of activities. One such event is the programme of activities being run by Birr Castle Gardens which encourages children to reconnect with nature and the great outdoors through guaranteed fun and learning for all the family. The programme will run from 10am to 3pm and further information is available here.
8. Medieval and Heritage Family Day, Co. Meath
Head to Blackfriary Archaeology Site for a great Family Fun Day this Heritage Week. Spend an afternoon exploring a medieval excavation and see artefacts recovered from the site. There will also be a mock dig for all your mini archaeologists. This event will take place on Saturday, 17th August from 1pm to 5pm. More information is available here.
9. Summer Sessions: Create and Craft, Dublin
Inspired by famous Irish artists Philip Treacy and Orla Kiely, you can learn all about the crafts of the past and even make your own clay pot or stylish paper hat at the EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. Save some time and take a tour of the Museum while you’re here, because all kids get free entry with this event. The crafts session will take place on Wednesday, 21st August from 10.30am to 1pm. More information is available here.
10. Wild Wednesdays – Nature Detectives, Co. Armagh
A great afternoon to get the whole family out and about, with a guided nature walk through Fr. Barney King Wood. Children will have the opportunity to view the living creatures and trees of the forest up close and learn how to identify them. This event will take place on Wednesday, 21st August from 2pm to 4pm. More information is available here.
National Heritage Week will take place from 17th – 25th August 2019 with a wide array of events happening across Ireland, come and see what's on near you.
There is still time to register events for this year’s National Heritage Week. Full details and the online registration form can be found here.
Cover photo courtesy of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
