Bygone age gives us modern industry

THERE isn’t a parish in the country, urban or rural, without very visible reminders of how people earned their livelihoods, conducted their lives and transported themselves in the past.

We can see remains, often derelict, of our industrial past — railways, canals, mills, breweries, distilleries, telegraph stations, to mention a few examples. Sometimes, we can see the wheel turning full circle. Ireland, for instance, once boasted 180 breweries and we’re again witnessing a resurgence in craft beers being produced in new, small breweries.

Groups around the country are making preparations for National Heritage Week, August 22-30, with the Heritage Council urging people put on their creative caps and identify some aspect of Ireland’s industrial heritage to highlight the week. People in other EU countries will be doing likewise.