Organisers gear up for Heritage Week

More than 1,000 cultural events have been planned to celebrate this year’s Heritage Week, it was revealed today.

Now in its 15th year, the seven-day programme includes activities as varied as bat walks at dusk, historical re-enactments and summer camps to lectures and storytelling.

Events will take place in every county on every day of the week and organiser Isabell Smyth urged people to come out and take part.

“Heritage Week is growing in popularity every year due in a large part to the commitment of so many local groups in programming events in their communities,” she said.

“The message this year is to look forward, look back and look around; to highlight the presence of heritage in our daily lives. Heritage is also a link that connects the past, present and future.”

Ms Smyth added: “We hope everyone will have a chance to enjoy the wealth of events on offer.”

The week runs from August 25 to September 2 and a number of special days have been set aside to highlight significant aspects of Irish heritage. August 26 has been designated Walled Towns Heritage Day with events taking place in 22 walled towns around the country.

September 1 is Water Heritage Day with events showcasing the recreational aspects of our canals and inland waterways.

Throughout the week many stately homes are offering free or reduced admission and the doors on many of the great Georgian houses around Merrion Square will be opened for a special open day on September 1.

Michael Starrett, Heritage Council chief executive, said there was a growing concern for the preservation of Ireland’s heritage.

“The increasing number of people organising events to raise awareness of heritage issues shows a growing commitment to protecting heritage at a local level, along with a greater sense of ownership,” Mr Starrett said.

Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint European Union/Council of Europe initiative which has been running for 15 years. Further information is available on www.heritageweek.ie.