A Co. Wicklow Heritage Week Event Summary
With Heritage Week events planned at over 50 different venues in county Wicklow this year, the majority of which are family friendly and FREE of charge, there really is something for everyone.
The following is a taste of what’s on offer, pick up a county event guide at county council offices, libraries or tourist offices.The guide helps you plan what’s on offer, however since printed many additional events have been registered, also occasionally times and contact details have altered. To find out the most up to date information about events, including full details of locations etc visit www.heritageweek.ie for the most up to date listings. This website also features the latest news on competitions and promotions.
At Blessington Library all are welcome to attend the prize giving for the winners of the “Corries to Coast” public photographic competition and to view the beautiful exhibition highlighting Wicklow‘s geological heritage. Nearby at Blessington Lakes Golf club in Baltyboys you can find out all about the local history of Quakers and Weavers. Enjoy an evening of traditional music at Hollywood or a ‘forest camp out’ at Castleruddery. Volunteer to record headstones at the ancient graveyard in Glendalough as part of the community graveyard scheme or find out more about local archaeological discoveries with students from UCD’s school of Archaeology. For modern day pilgrims there will also be the chance to join like minded souls on a walk of St. Kevin’s Way from Hollywood to Glendalough. At Bray you can attend historical talks in each of the libraries, join a guided World War 1 walk, take a historical tour of the seafront, go whale watching on Bray Head, or find out more about the geology. At Ashford Community & Heritage Centre, as part of the Seamus Heaney Hedge School of Glanmore, adults and kids have the chance to learn the art of calligraphy at one of the FREE workshops (make sure to book ahead as places are limited). Also planned is a talk by Patricia Butler on “Wicklow through the Artists Eye” exploring the local Historic demesnes and gardens, guided walks in the Devils Glen, and Music in the Schoolhouse. There will be a talk on Wicklow during World War 1 in Newcastle and guided walks at Broadlough and Wicklow Head. Arklow will be a hive of activity with an evening bat walk at the duck pond, a special launch of the Kilbride Graveyard and Howard Mausoleum project, and the opening of the doors of many local landmark buildings including St. Saviours Church, Arklow Methodist Church, Abercorn Methodist Hall and St Bridget’s Church Kilbride. Some of our heritage attractions such as Wicklow’s Historic Gaol, Powerscourt House, Kilmacurragh Arboretum, Mount Usher Gardens and Ballymurrin Farmhouse will be offering special tours and/or discounts , and the Irish Landmark Trust will be hosting their ever popular open day at Wicklow Head Lighthouse on the second Sunday of Heritage Week. Mining and geological heritage will form the themes for guided walks at Glenmalure, Glendalough and at Avoca, while the Tinahely courthouse Art Centre will host a very special visual Art installation by Orla Callaghan called ‘Chaney’ and a talk on the Thursday evening on Farming in Wicklow 1750-1850. A Storytelling tour of Tomnafinnogue Woods promises to be a family friendly treat, as does the Rockpool ramble in Greystones South beach on the 22nd August or the Burnaby vintage day on Sunday the 30th which brings the week’s events to conclusion with music, games, sport and a walking tour.
National Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days and is co-ordinated in Ireland by The Heritage Council. Over 1700 events are expected to take place nationally in 2015. Heritage Week is promoted in county Wicklow by the heritage office of Wicklow County Council as part of ongoing activities to increase awareness and appreciation of our natural, built and cultural heritage.
A limited number of Heritage Week t-shirts, flags and banners are also available to event organizers in Wicklow to promote your activity, please contact Deirdre Burns directly to request items dburns@wicklowcoco.ie, Tel: 040420100
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