Free Autumn events that everyone can enjoy
Westmeath Heritage Office has organised a series of free events during the month of October.
“Whether you’re looking for a fun outdoor event for the kids, want to get your hands dirty in the garden or if you prefer learning from the comfort of your home, there are lots of fun ways to engage with our heritage this October,” says Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade.
If you’re interested in learning about the natural and cultural heritage of Westmeath, then you might like to sign up for a free Know Your Locality course.
Know Your Locality
This online course will guide you through the available online sources that will allow you to explore the geological, archaeological, and historical events that happened close to where you live.
Looking at the bedrock under your feet, examining the geological processes and glacial events that shaped the landscape and formed the soils, the course then focuses on the impacts of humans on that landscape over time.
Commencing on Thursday October 13, the course will be delivered through five online tutorials (every Tuesday and Thursday evening) over two and a half weeks. Participants will also enjoy a field trip to local archaeological sites.
For full details and to register, visit https://iafs.ie/know-your-locality-westmeath-oct-2022/
Big Dig
‘The Big Dig’ offers hands-on learning for curious children to budding archaeologists. Children are invited to explore the Viking world through a simulated archaeology dig. They are given the chance to experience what it is like to be an archaeologist by learning how to excavate the remains of a Viking house.
As they dig through the site, participants will unearth Viking treasures and artefacts dating back 1,000 years. They will learn about the lives of our Viking ancestors as history is brought to life by qualified archaeologists.
The Big Dig is being offered on Saturday October 15 in Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park and is free of charge. Keep an eye on @DunNaSiPark on Facebook or @dunnasi on Instagram for booking details.
Garden sustainably
If you’d like to learn how to garden more sustainably a one-day course is being offered that will cover everything from gardening without chemicals, to pollinator planting, vegetable growing, mini-pond building, pruning, cuttings and much more.
The course is run by horticulturist and environmentalist Aoife Munn and will take place on Sunday October 16 from 10am to 4pm in Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park. For full details and to register see: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/sustainable-gardening-course-tickets-429627366017
The Heritage Office is also working with primary schools across the county to offer free visits from Heritage experts involved in the Heritage in Schools Scheme (https://www.heritageinschools.ie/ ).
All of these events and courses are being offered as an action of Westmeath Heritage Plan, with funding from the Heritage Council and support from Westmeath County Council.