Make a splash on Wild Child and Water Heritage Days this weekend

Wild Child Day takes place on Saturday, 20th August and offers a chance for the whole family to get involved in National Heritage Week. On Wild Child Day, we encourage children to look at the world around them differently, to open their eyes to the diverse beauty of the landscape in their area and to get out and explore their locality or even farther afield. 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.

Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday, 21st August in collaboration with the Local Authority Waters Programme. This is a chance to celebrate the heritage connected to our magnificent rivers, lakes, bogs and coastline. Each year, Heritage Officers, Community Water Officers and local communities and groups organise events and projects that highlight the value of water for recreational, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits.

As you get ready for the final weekend of National Heritage Week, find out more about these themed days on our blog and read on for some Wild Child and Water Heritage event highlights. You can browse through all upcoming events and digital projects on our website.

Wild Child Day (Saturday, 20th August)

• Forest Family Experience: The Forest School invites families to the Larchill Arcadian Gardens in Kildare for a day of den building, fire making, campfire cooking, crafts and games.
• Hands-on History — Making Prehistoric Pottery at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery: Scéal Heritage Consultancy is hosting a pinch pot workshop in Sligo, when children can learn about pottery of the Stone Age, while getting hands on with pottery tools and decorating their creations.
• Wild Child Day at JFK Arboretum: Visit the JFK Arboretum in Wexford for a fun-filled plant workshop, followed by a short walk and talk around the wildflower meadows.
• Recycled Koinobori (Traditional Japanese Paper Fish) Workshop for Families: The Chester Beatty Museum in Dublin will be making traditional Japanese paper fish from recycled objects like toilet roll tubes and magazines, inspired by their Japanese collection.
• ‘Naturally Wild’ Biodiversity Workshop for Children: Stop by Dungarvan Library in Waterford to take part in this fun event from Dale Treadwell of Naturally Wild, a long-time biodiversity educator. Children will learn the five B’s of Biodiversity and hear tales of bugs and beasts in their own gardens.

Water Heritage Day (Sunday, 21st August)

• Hope Floats — Willow Woven Vessel Workshop: Bandon Environmental Action group in Cork county will be hosting a two-part water heritage series. On Sunday, 14th August, join local artist and currach maker, Dinny Wheeler, and create your own floating vessel from willow and other natural materials. On Sunday, 21st August, return and launch your boat in the River Bandon.
• Fishing Galway Bay during Wartime and the Independence Struggle: As part of the Decade of Centenaries programme from Galway City Council, the Galway Hooker Sailing Club will host two speakers. The first will speak about the fishing policies implemented by the new state and their impact on Galway fishing communities and the second will describe the tragic events arising from the presence of mines in the bay during World War I.
  
• Walk and Talk along the River Carmac in Clondalkin: Friends of the Carmac in South Dublin invite you to join them for a walk about the history and heritage of Clondalkin and its river.
• Limestone, Karst and Water — Cong in its Landscape: Dr Benjamin Thébaudeau of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes aspiring geopark in Mayo will guide an exploration of Cong’s landscape and waterways.
• Barrow River Safari with Eanna Ni Lamhna: Wildlife expert and broadcaster Eanna will lead a walk along the banks of the Barrow at Graignamanagh in Kilkenny, speaking on bird and insect life and the importance of biodiversity to mitigating climate change.