National heritage launched on the net

THE build-up to a nationwide celebration of Ireland’s cultural and natural history began yesterday with the launch of a website containing details of more than 500 events taking place during Heritage Week.

The initiative, which runs from September 4 to 11, involves hundreds of locally and nationally organised events ranging from exhibitions to historical re-enactments.

The website was launched by Environment and Heritage Minister Dick Roche, who said previous heritage weeks in the country had been very successful.

“People are genuinely interested in their heritage and we have a very richheritage here in this country,” he said.

The website - www.heritageweek.ie - will allow people across the country to find out about guided tours and lectures, music recitals, historical re-enactments, exhibitions and traditional crafts, nature walks and field trips in their area.

The week is a European initiative which aims to promote awareness of built, natural and cultural heritage and is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council.

Mr Roche said it was the first year the information was available on the internet and that the site was organised both by date and by county.

Isabell Smyth of the Heritage Council said: “We really hope that people will go to the website and get information about what’s happening during the week.”

Speaking at the launch of the website, the minister also said he was keen to see the protection of 16 Moore Street in Dublin, the site of the headquarters of the 1916 Easter Rising, and was surprised a preservation order did not already exist on the building.

“It’s of huge significance nationally in the context of the sacrifice men and women made in 1916 and in the context of celebrating our history.

“The building itself is significant and I’d like to see movement on it,” he added.