Here’s your chance to take Irish heritage on board — medieval-style

MEDIEVAL challenges and surfing lessons ‘as Gaeilge’ are just two of the 1,100 events which will make up this year’s National Heritage Week which runs from August 21-29.

In spite of the economic downturn, organisers say this year’s festival will be bigger than ever with more events to entertain the public.

One of these, a medieval challenge, will see a group of volunteers living in a Louth tower house, foraging for food and slumbering with their animals in order to experience what life was like in 1210, the year King John’s Castle in Carlingford was built.

In Waterford, participants will be able to learn to surf under instruction ‘as Gaeilge’ courtesy of the Freedom Surf School at Tramore Beach.

Organisers of National Heritage Week have produced 50,000 copies of its event guide and those will be available nationwide. Complete event listings are also available on the National Heritage Week website, www.heritageweek.ie.

“Despite the tough economic times National Heritage Week continues to grow with more events than ever scheduled to take place this year,” said Heritage Council chief executive Michael Starrett. “Over the last few years we have seen a definite change in attitude towards heritage. We are seeing a growing interest in heritage matters amongst the general public and in particular an increase in the number of people wanting to not only experience heritage but get involved in and learn more about their heritage.

“National Heritage Week attracts more than 200,000 people to events each year. Many of these are overseas visitors, making it the ideal opportunity to showcase our natural, cultural and built heritage.”