National Heritage Week begins

National Heritage Week begins today, with a variety of celebrations around the country.

The annual event is now in its 18th year and is part of the European Heritage Days initiative, celebrated in more than 40 countries across the EU.

The week, which runs from today until the August 31, will be marked by more than 1,000 events taking place nationwide, including whale-watching in 16 different locations around the country's coasts.

Junior Heritage Minister Michael Kitt is officially launching the week in Kilkenny today.

To celebrate Heritage Week, Coillte will be giving away native trees to the public while stocks last from the ENFO offices on St. Andrew’s Street, Dublin from tomorrow.