Heritage Week takes place from Sunday, August 24th until Sunday August 31st this year. Since 1991, European countries celebrate their heritage over the course of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union. In Ireland, Heritage Week is co-ordinated by The Heritage Council in conjunction with Local Authority Heritage Officers. Over 1,000 events are taking place across the country throughout the week. “The main aims of ‘Heritage Week’ are to raise awareness of our natural, built and cultural heritage and to encourage its conservation and preservation” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “Heritage Week provides an opportunity to celebrate our Irish heritage and our shared European heritage.”
There are over 40 events taking place across County Donegal in recognition of Heritage Week and most of them are free. The Cultural Services Division of Donegal County Council has organised over 15 free events. Paula Harvey, Field Monument Advisor with Donegal County Council, will be giving an illustrated talk on megalithic tombs in Kilclooney and leading a visit to Kilclooney Portal Tomb. The Donegal County Museum in Letterkenny has an exhibition on vernacular architecture entitled ‘Whitewash & Thatch’ which consists of architectural drawings of traditional buildings from the 1930s and 1940s. The Donegal County Archives in Lifford has an exhibition of the workhouses of County Donegal. The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny has an exhibition of the life and work of master Irish architect Liam McCormick. There are a variety of events planned at local libraries across the county including presentations on golden eagles by Lorcan O’Toole and on the changing streetscape of Letterkenny by John Nee in Letterkenny; a presentation and guided tour of Lennan Woods by Mary Haggan in Ramelton; a photographic display of the built environment and a historical walking tour of Milford; an Ulster Scots get-together in Bundoran; a cultural afternoon highlighting the links between Inishowen and Scotland in Buncrana; and ‘Ulster Plantation’ exhibitions in Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Donegal Town and Killybegs.
Glenveagh National Park has a full programme of events including nature walks, birds of prey display, garden tours, craft workshops, craft and textiles sale, traditional music, Irish language classes and children’s entertainment. Other events include the launch of a butterfly garden in Letterkenny by An Taisce; bird-watching at Inch Lough organised by BirdWatch Ireland; a fieldtrip to newly-discovered archaeological sites in Sráth Bruighne by Kilcar Tourism Committee; a field day in Fahan with the Donegal Historical Society; a photographic exhibition of bridges in the parish of Kilcar in Áislann Chill Chartha; free exhibitions and family history consultation by Donegal Ancestry in Ramelton; free guided tours and a display of medieval weaponry at Donegal Castle; free guided tours of Fahan by Fahan Community Council; an open day at Fintown Railway; a story-telling afternoon at Fort Dunree; a guided land-based whale and dolphin watch at Dunree organised by the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group; a demonstration of stone-ground corn milling at Newmills; a presentation on ‘Columban Pilgrimages’ by Dr. Brian Lacey and an update on archaeological research in Glencolmcille; and an open day at the Workhouse, Dunfanaghy.
The County Donegal Heritage Office has produced a free booklet of ‘Heritage Week’ events in County Donegal. Copies of the booklet are available at central, regional and branch libraries, public services centres, museums, heritage centres and the County Donegal Heritage Office. It can also be consulted on-line at: www.donegalcoco.ie A countrywide guide of ‘Heritage Week’ events produced by The Heritage Council is also available. Updates on events are available on the ‘Heritage Week’ website at: www.heritageweek.ie
For further information, please contact:
Joseph Gallagher
Heritage Officer,
County Donegal Heritage Office,
Donegal County Council,
Station Island,
Lifford.
Telephone: (074) 917 2576
E-mail: heritage@donegalcoco.ie