Analysis: From shopfronts in Clare to basketmaking in Mayo and uileann pipes in Sligo, Heritage Week's 25th outing features much to see and do
Like many other enthusiasts of Irish history and heritage, I eagerly anticipate Ireland's Heritage Week every year. It's a big week for history buffs like me. But I do have a complaint: it is just not long enough! I believe we could truly benefit from a fortnight, or even a month, dedicated to celebrating our wonderful Irish heritage.
This year National Heritage Week is its 25th outing and takes place from August 17th to 25th. Organised by the Heritage Council, it celebrates all things heritage and involves a variety of events around the island that bring together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage. It’s also a great opportunity for academics like me to engage in public outreach.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show, Dr Aoife Granville on protecting, promoting and celebrating, Irish cultural heritage practices, customs, crafts and traditions
The week offers everyone a chance to engage with heritage. Heritage fosters community identity, is central to our tourism industry and plays an important role in wellbeing. Even those who have struggled with the study of history can find their imaginations ignited by heritage. Events are usually in plain English, are very accessible and with a welcome for all.
The fact that National Heritage Week takes place in the final weeks of the school summer holidays, with many child-friendly events, allows parents to introduce their children to heritage in an affordable way. To encourage attendance, most of the events are free and the OPW's fee-paying sites (apart from Kilmainham) will be free admission on both Saturday and Sunday August 17th and 18.
It should be mentioned that much of National Heritage Week is dependent to a large extent on volunteers and local heritage groups, who are so passionate about our heritage are willing to offer their own invaluable time and expertise for free. They should be applauded for their efforts.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Irish Times' GAA correspondent Sean Moran on Gaelic football and ladies' football receiving State recognition as cultural practices that are part of Ireland's living cultural heritage
It’s testament to the level of interest that National Heritage Week has grown greatly since the Heritage Council took it over in 2005. At the time of writing, there were over 1,300 events listed, with many more still being registered. The organisers expect that over 2,000 events are expected across the island of Ireland.
Exploring what to attend is easy: visit the website, use the ‘What’s On’ tab to filter events by county and create your own ‘my events trail’. For heritage lovers, it’s a bit like getting the highlighting pen out for the Christmas TV Guide!
These are my personal picks of those events I think look to be of most interest. The majority are free, though some are not and it is worth checking this beforehand. Some may also involve pre booking so check the details of each via the website.
Sligo: Uilleann piping at Carrowmore
An event combining traditional Irish music with archaeology: what’s not to like? The Carrowmore megalithic complex is the setting for an hour-long uilleann piping recital, taking place outdoors amongst neolithic passage-graves in the heart of the exquisite Sligo landscape.
From OPW, a special 'Tour of the Horizon' from Carrowmore as part of Heritage Week 2021
Mayo: Traditional Basketmaking with Joe Hogan
Long before our throwaway culture of flimsy plastic bags and containers, hand woven baskets were essential for all sorts of household tasks, from fetching turf to straining the spuds. Basketmaking is now being recognised on Ireland's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
There are a huge number of basketmaking events this year across heritage week, but my top pick takes place at the National Museum of Ireland, County Life just outside Castlebar and is facilitated by the famous master basket maker himself, Joe Hogan. He will be demonstrating making a Ciseog and there will be tours of the museum’s collections that day also.
Donegal: Red Hugh O'Donnell and the march to Kinsale
This looks like an interesting mix of local heritage, Irish history, architecture and period clothing. Donegal Town celebrates its 550th Anniversary this year and one of many events to celebrate this is a re-enactment involving the troops of Red Hugh O'Donnell on the eve of the famous march to Kinsale.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Countrywide, Ella McSweeney talks to Laura Early about her book looking at traditional shopfronts in the west of Ireland.
Traditional Irish shopfronts: Clare, Meath, Tipperary
Irish shopfronts are part of the identity of Irish towns yet they are endangered by dereliction and apathetic neglect. There are a great number of events this year highlighting and showcasing this part of our wonderful built heritage.
In Tipperary there will be on a guided heritage walk through the Thurles’ historic streetscapes led by Barry O'Reilly from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Throughout the week, there are a number of workshops in libraries in Co Meath that encourage the building of mini traditional Irish shopfronts from Lego. But my top pick is the event at Ennistymon, Co. Clare, a town renowned for its beautiful traditional shopfronts, where Brendan P Lynch will lead a unique heritage walk.
Turf cutting: Tipperary and Donegal
For hundreds of years turf was once widely used as fuel in rural Ireland, and cutting and collecting it was part of everyday life. It is great to see some events this year highlighting this waning tradition.
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From RTÉ News in 2017, Bord na Móna announce plans to close the Littleton briquette factory
In Thurles, there will be a talk on domestic and industrial turf cutting including a history of Littleton briquette factory. The once common duty of bringing tea and food up to turfcutters will be commemorated with a ‘tae on the bog’ event on the shore of Lough Altan in Donegal that celebrates the connections between nature, landscape and culture.
Cork: Travelling Tales
An event that explores the rich cultural heritage of the Travelling community with Cork Traveller Women's Network, mapping stories and tradition through oral histories and family trees.
Galway: Portumna workhouse tours
Portumna workhouse is remarkably well preserved and offers the story of the workhouse poor who are often lost and forgotten to history and there are free tours on certain days of heritage week. While you're there, a visit to the stunning Portumna castle, the first prominent semi-fortified house in Ireland using Renaissance style features and located just over the road, is a must-see.
From Irish Workhouse Centre, a short film about Portumna workhouse
Wexford: Nature and sustainability at Johnstown castle
This looks like a lovely event within the grounds of one of the country's finest neo-medieval castles. The interventions made to improve biodiversity and help pollinators by the gardening team will be shown, along with how they have removed invasive species and replanted native trees.
It will include a discussion of edible woodlands as a sustainable way to grow food. The impact of the 100 Million Trees Project will also feature as part of the talks. There will also be a screening of The Quickening a film by Deirdre O’Mahony which explores issues facing farming, food and consumption, in the face of ecological and climate crises.
Dublin: Warriors and Hurlers workshop at Croke Park
A combination of history, sport, culture and mythology takes place at the GAA Museum at Croke Park. During the session, younger visitors will be shown how the game of hurling developed from the times of Cú Chulainn until the present day. Booking essential.
The rolling sun at the Boheh stone in Co Mayo
Laois: Tour of the Rock of Dunmase
The spectacularly romantic ruins of the old fortress of Dunmase are a sight to behold and their story is just as dramatic. This is a rare opportunity for an expert-led guided tour of them and hear their rich history.
Offaly: Vernacular heritage
Dr Barry O'Reilly is an expert in traditional Irish thatched houses and will give a talk on Offaly’s vernacular heritage and an update on what the State is doing to help.
Mayo: The rolling sun at the Boheh stone
Finally, an absolutely must-see event, but one that is entirely dependent on good weather! Not far from Westport, just off the N59 Leenane road, is Ireland's finest example of prehistoric rock art, the Boheh stone aka St. Patrick’s chair. From this point, the setting sun appears to ‘roll’ down the northern flank of Croagh Patrick on two dates every year. It was raining miserably in April when this last took place so let’s hope conditions are clearer this time! A small cover charge includes a talk by a local archaeologist.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
