Heritage Week 2014 in County Wicklow

St. Kevin's Pilgrim path walk on Sat 23rd Aug, Glendasan Mining Walk on Mon. 25th

Detail from a Denis Cullen Headstone in Preban - The exhibition will run all week in Tinahely, with a talk on the Wed evening and a guided tour on Sat. 30th Aug

County Wicklow is a hive of Heritage Week activity this year.

Enjoy a Rockpool ramble with the kids at Greystones, Walk in the footsteps of pilgrims at Glendalough, Listen to Jazz at sunset in the 18th century Wicklow Parish church, Whale watch at Bray Head or come along to Tinahely Courthouse Art Centre for a local documentary film screening and heritage celebration.

With over 100 events taking place at 50 different venues in County Wicklow for national Heritage Week, the majority of which are FREE to attend, there really is something for everyone to enjoy during the week.

2014 is the UN 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family and to celebrate the theme for National Heritage Week 2014 is, ‘Family … generations exploring heritage together’.

Of special interest this year is the official launch of this website in Tinahely on Sunday 24th August at 7.00 pm. ‘Our Wicklow Heritage’ the online community heritage archive for county Wicklow now contains several hundred photos, stories and articles about people and places in county Wicklow.

The launch is to be accompanied by the debut screening of “Preban: The story of a Wicklow Graveyard” a short film charting the conservation, recording and archaeological investigations at this local historic place (available to watch under ‘places’ on this site ) . All are welcome to attend this event. A talk by Chris Corlett on the 18th century headstones of County Wicklow will take place in the Courthouse Art Centre on Wednesday at 8pm while a guided walk at Preban Cemetery will take place the following Saturday at 2.00 pm.

The Heritage Office has produced a free pocket sized event guide which is available to pick up in tourist offices, libraries and other venues throughout the county and can be used along with www.heritageweek.ie to help you plan your visits.

Here is a quick rundown on what to expect. For Heritage Week in County Wicklow you can …

Enjoy a special evening of Traditional Music with Blessington Comhaltas and learn about 200 years of life on Main Street in an exhibition running all week in the library.

Find out more about 250 years of the Quaker community at Baltyboys with a talk at Blessington lakes golf club, or visit the 17th century Ballymurrin Quaker farmhouse south of Wicklow Town.

View a pole lathe demonstration in Kilmacurragh and find out more about our woodland heritage.

Take part in the Megalithic Hill Walk leaving from Kippure House taking you to the spectacular Seefingan and Seefin tombs or Walk the St. Kevin Way Pilgrim path from Glendalough.

Explore the wildlife of Newcastle at an illustrated talk by Sam Connolly or experience it first had in guided nature walk at The Murrough or Brides Head or by Whale Watching at Bray Head.

Find out more about the local legends, folklore and history of North East Wicklow arising from the 1937-37 Schools Folklore Collection at Greystones library.

Take a guided tour St Peters Graveyard, Bray or the early Christian burial ground in Delgany.

Attend historical talks at Bray or Ballywaltrim libraries for The Week That Was 1914; The Shamrock Fund during WWI; or the story of The Brabazons of Dublin and Wicklow.

Find out about 100 years of life in Kilmacanogue with the historical society, or help nearby Calary Church to celebrate its 180th anniversary with an exhibition and guided tours.

Join a Bat Walk at Arklow leaving from the Arklow Bay Hotel at 8 pm

Hear about the impact of World War I on Wicklow at talks by John Goodman in Greystones library and in Wicklow Parish church or at a guided walk at Kilmacurragh.

Take part in the guided hedgerow walk in Delgany where the theme shall be ‘poisonous brews and powerful tales’

Connect with nature and try out Bushcraft at Castleruddery Organic Farm in west Wicklow.

Enjoy old fashioned games and activities at Tara’s Palace Children’s Museum at Powerscourt House and also at the Burnaby Vintage Day.

Visit some remarkable Wicklow landmark buildings including Kilbride Mausoleum, St. Saviour’s Church Arklow, Wicklow Head Lighthouse and the West Wing of Russborough House.

Visit the Footsteps in Time Exhibition in County Buildings to find out about former uses of some of the towns well known shops.

Enjoy discounted entry to Wicklow Gaol on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, or a free guided tour as part of your ticket to Mount Usher Gardens on Wednesday.

Visit a 16th century castle in Carnew and find out more about the history of Coolattin and the local area

Explore the significance of historic mining activity to County Wicklow over the centuries by taking part in free guided walks at Avoca and Glendasan,(near Glendalough).

DOWNLOAD YOUR COUNTY WICKLOW HERITAGE GUIDE BELOW

Heritage Week is co-ordinated by The Heritage Council and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe. More information is available on www.heritageweek.ie and on Twitter (@HeritageWeek/ #HeritageWeek) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/heritageweek).