THE OFFICE of Public Works has said that this year’s National Heritage Week will be the biggest one yet, with more events than ever packing out the schedule of the week-long national celebration of Irish culture and history.
Taking place from August 17 to 25, National Heritage Week, organised by the Heritage Council, is one of the largest cultural events in the Irish calendar. And this year, there is more than ever before for all the family to get stuck into.
Events happening in Limerick over Heritage Week 2024 include the Barnagh Tunnel Nature Walk (August 17) along the Barnagh Greenway; the Bring Out Your Lace exhibition at the People’s Museum, where the public are encouraged to bring along any lace they have hidden away at home to be assessed, catalogued, and photographed to help preserve Limerick lace-making traditions; and a creepy crawlie bug hotel-building workshop at the Hunt Museum (August 23) to get young minds engaged with the natural world around them.
A free tour of the Maureen O’Hara Collection at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Collection will also take place on August 20, as well as a nature walk on the Infinity Woodland Path in Castletroy, hoping to connect those joining in to the natural world around them.
Also, an ‘Irish Wildlife Sounds’ talk will take place at Askeaton Comunity Hall (August 22) from Seán Ronayne, who has set out his mission to be the first person to sound record all the regularly occurring bird species in Ireland.
During Heritage Week 2024, entry to all OPW-owned sites across Ireland will be free to the public on August 17 and 18. Closer to home, Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Lakeshore Park, Adare Castle, and Desmond Castle in Newcastle West will be free to explore for anyone looking to fill a day of historical adventure.
“This year’s National Heritage Week theme, Connections, Routes, and Networks, provides an ideal opportunity to highlight deep-rooted connections between OPW Heritage Ireland sites across Ireland,” said Rosemary Collier, OPW head of heritage services.
“Our sites offer a rich tapestry of crafts and traditions that tell the story of the connections between our people, heritage, communities and culture. With more than 100 events taking place across country, and our free admission days on 17th and 18th August, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.”
A full list of events taking place across Heritage Week 2024 can be found on heritageweek.ie.
