Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30 this year. The principal aims of ‘Heritage Week’ are to foster awareness of the natural, built and cultural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation and to raise interest in our shared Irish and European heritage. If your group or organisation is planning a ‘Heritage Week’ event, help is available. The Heritage Council is producing a countrywide guide to ‘Heritage Week’ events. You can register your event by submitting the details on-line at www.heritageweek.ie or completing a ‘Heritage Week’ registration form available from The Heritage Council on 1850 200 878. Events must be registered by Sunday, May 31 in order to be included in the free countrywide guide. The County Donegal Heritage Office will also be producing a ‘Heritage Week Events in County Donegal’ booklet based on the information submitted.
“Heritage Week was a great success in County Donegal again in 2008. We had over 40 events taking place at regional venues in the county and most of them were free” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “Events included illustrated talks, fieldtrips, nature walks, demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts, workshops, photographic competitions, heritage open days, historical walking tours, special exhibitions and children’s activities.”
‘Heritage Week’ is coordinated by The Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Local Authority Heritage Officers. Last year over 1,000 events took place throughout the country as part of Heritage Week. “In times of economic pressure, Heritage Week 2009 provides a great opportunity to learn new skills, make contacts and engage with your local heritage,” said Isabell Smyth, Head of Communications & Education at The Heritage Council. “Heritage Week 2009 is open to everyone; you can get involved by either organising your own event or volunteering with local groups in your area”. Events should be free of charge throughout the week. Where this is not possible, organisers are asked to offer special concession rates. The Heritage Council will promote Heritage Week nationally and provide organisers with materials including posters and a programme of events to promote their activities.
For further information, please contact:
Joseph Gallagher
Heritage Officer,
County Donegal Heritage Office,
Donegal County Council,
Station Island,
Lifford,
County Donegal.
Telephone: (074) 917 2576
E-mail: heritage@donegalcoco.ie
Michelle Guinan
MKC Communications - Telephone:(01) 703 8604 / (086) 384 6630
Isabell Smyth
Head of Communications & Education,
The Heritage Council,
Church Lane,
Kilkenny,
County Kilkenny
Telephone: (056) 777 0777 / (087) 967 6889