Project ideas showcase: Heritage on your doorstep

As project ideas continue to be uploaded to the National Heritage Week website, we will be sharing a selection for inspiration as you consider your own heritage project for National Heritage Week 2020.

Here is a variety of the project ideas we have already received. Don’t forget, the deadline for final project submission is noon on Tuesday, 4th August 2020

What's in a name? Westmeath Field Names Recording Project

The names of fields can tell us much about our local area; how people related to the landscape, as well as the history and traditions of the area. Since 2018, several community groups across Westmeath have taken part in the Westmeath Field Names Recording Project to collect field names in their area. Some very interesting results are emerging: a higher percentage (10 – 15%) of names of Irish language origin are recorded in the northwest of the county, indicating that Irish survived in use longer there than in other parts of Westmeath.

Find out more about this project on the project page.

Lonehort Battery, Bere Island - A photographic story

Lonehort Battery is the largest of seven gun batteries constructed on Bere Island off the coast of Cork by the British military to protect their battleships while anchored in Berehaven. Bere Island Projects Group has completed the first phase of the battery restoration, which is open to the public. This project will showcase Lonehort Battery through the medium of photography, and will include many areas that are not accessible to the general public. Photographs will be displayed on the Bere Island website, and island social media sites.

Find out more about this project on the project page.

Sligo Historic Pandemic in 1832

Organised by Sligo Stoker Society, 'Sligo Historic Pandemic in 1832', is encouraging the appreciation of a historic pandemic, the 1832 cholera outbreak, and how it impacted Sligo, socially and economically. Project organisers will draw parallels between the current pandemic and the past, learning how forebears coped with and reacted to the high number of cases and death toll in Sligo. Places historically connected with the epidemic will be explored. The public will be encouraged to learn more by using a trail around Sligo, making use of history boards and plaques.

Find out more about this project on the project page.

Fanned by the flames of revolution

National 1798 Rebellion Centre & Enniscorthy Castle will deliver this heritage project exploring the background to the 1798 Rebellion, key figures involved in the rebellion, and a weapon demonstration. For this project, a centre guide will conduct a 20-minute information session and then invite visitors to self-guide (with social distancing) through the exhibition. Visitors can also visit the actual battlefield at Vinegar Hill, following their visit to the centre.

Find out more about this heritage project on the project page.

Carpenters in Cork

‘Carpenters in Cork’, a heritage project by Cork Carpenters’ Society aims to shine a light on the tradesmen involved in the construction of some of Cork's finest buildings. Many fine architectural builds can be found in Cork City and the tradesmen who built them met in the building known as ‘The Carpenters’ Hall’ on 6, Fr Matthew Street. The building is owned by the Carpenters of Cork City. Meetings of all the trade unions in Cork City took place in this hall. This heritage project will showcase the heritage of the tradesmen, the buildings they worked on, and the significance of ‘The Carpenters Hall’.

Find out more about this project on the project page.