National Heritage Week kicks off in Westmeath this weekend
An introduction to bird ringing at Coolure Demesne in Castlepollard, an immersive peatlands installation in Moate, tracing the Táin through Westmeath and journeying in time through print at the Westmeath County Library are among the many free events taking place during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday August 17 to Sunday August 25.
Local heritage groups and organisers, families, communities and individuals in Westmeath have responded to this year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ by organising events showcasing the best of what Westmeath’s local heritage has to offer.
More than 2,000 events will take place nationwide and there is a list available on the National Heritage Week website.
Coordinated by the Heritage Council, some other highlights from this year’s National Heritage Week programme in Westmeath include:
Visit and storytelling at the Beehive Mausoleum at Reynella (17 August, 12pm to 2pm) – Drop in for a chance to see the 19th Century beehive-shaped mausoleum to Robert Cooke of Cookesborough House located in grounds of St. John the Baptist’s Church of Ireland, Reynella, southwest of Delvin. Hear some of the fascinating stories associated with Adolphus Cooke, who commissioned the construction of this unusual structure.
Stained Glass Workshops, Fore Abbey Coffee Shop (18 August, 9.30am to 5pm) – Tony Wheatley will deliver a series of short workshops during the day. Experience how to copper foil and solder your own pre-cut angel or a butterfly.
Tour of Carn, A Forgotten Westmeath Famine Village, N91 FY54 (18 August, 10.30am to 12.30pm) – Walk along the original roadway to Carn Village, as documented in the works of Seamus O’Brien ‘A Forgotten Westmeath Famine Village’. Learn about ‘The Great Hunger’ and hear stories connecting Carn with the neighbouring parishes of Ballymore, Conry and international communities.
Gardening for Sustainable Future – Athlone Castle Garden Fair, St Peter’s Square Athlone (17 August, 10.30am to 5.30pm) – The courtyard of Athlone Castle will be transformed into a gardening fair, with demonstrations and advice on sustainable gardening from horticulturist Sarah Donlon, Brian O’Reilly, the CEO of Emerald Green, and Kate Egan from An Ghrian Glas Farm.
Virginia Teehan, chief executive of the Heritage Council, said: “Browsing through the over 2,000 events taking place during National Heritage Week this year gives a sense of the shear variety and colour of our nation’s heritage – they cover nature, culture, music, traditions, folklore, writing, history, architecture, archaeology, archives and so much more.
"It is also a sign of the strength of the sector, the depth of knowledge people have and their generosity in sharing that knowledge. Many of the events are volunteer led, organised by dedicated people who seek no recompense or adulation. We must never take these people for granted and I will continue unapologetically to mention them at every opportunity, such is their importance not only to National Hertiage Week, but to the preservation of Irish heritage in general.”
Two themed days will take place during National Heritage Week. On Saturday 24 August, Wild Child Day encourages children and families to explore the heritage in their locality.
On Sunday, 25 August, the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme invite people to explore National Heritage Week projects that celebrate water and our connections with it.