National Heritage Week kicks off in Offaly this weekend

FOLLOWING the footsteps of St Brochan, free entry to Clonmacnoise, celebrating traditional craft in Offaly at the Esker Arts Centre and recalling the IRA attack on Clara Barracks in 1920 are among the many free events taking place across Offaly during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday August 17^th to Sunday August 25^th.

Local heritage groups and organisers, families, communities and individuals in Offaly have responded to this year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ by organising events showcasing the best of what Offaly’s local heritage has to offer. Well over 2,000 events will take place nationwide with a full list available on the National Heritage Week website.

Co-ordinated by the Heritage Council, some other highlights from this year’s National Heritage Week programme in Offaly also include:

Explore the sculptures of Lough Boora Discovery Park (August 23rd, 2.30pm to 4.30pm) - It is over 20 years since the first sculptures were commissioned at Lough Boora. In 2024 a programme of works has commenced to care for this significant collection. Sculptor Michael Burke is guiding this process and will lead a walk to key sculptures to give an insight into what is taking place.

Bolinder Engine Display, Brigid’s Place Tullamore (August 25th, 3pm to 5pm) – Heritage Boat Association members will display and demonstrate vintage engines from old canal boats.

Pollinator Workshop for Children – Tullamore Library (August 22nd, 11am to 12pm) - A pollinator workshop aimed for children, eight years old and above. Workshop consists of an interactive presentation where children become beekeepers with an educational honeybee.

The Crotty Schism - A Brief History, Crotty’s Church and Malt Store Birr (August 22nd, 10am to 11am) - A look back at the Ireland of 1820 to 1850, when the people of Birr took part in the largest ever Schism in the Catholic Church and 99% of Birr Catholics changed their religion.

Commenting, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said: “Browsing through the over 2,000 events taking place during National Heritage Week this year gives a sense of the 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 August 24th, Wild Child Day encourages children and families to explore the heritage in their locality. On Sunday, August 25th, 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.