06/08/2014 - Launch of ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide for Donegal

The County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council will be launching the County Donegal ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide in the County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny on Monday, August 11 at 12 noon.  The event guide will be launched by Joe McHugh T.D., Minister of State, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.  The free, pocket-size, event guide is compiled by the County Donegal Heritage Office and outlines over 90 'Heritage Week' events taking place in County Donegal for National Heritage Week from Saturday, August 23 to Sunday, August 31, 2014.  ‘Heritage Week’ event organisers can collect their copies of the event guide at the launch.   

“Heritage Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of, and engender pride in, the heritage of County Donegal,” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.  “There will be over 90 ‘Heritage Week’ events taking place in County Donegal including family open days, guided walks, built heritage open houses, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, illustrated presentations, photographic competitions, children’s activities, storytelling sessions, traditional music, craft fairs and traditional skills demonstrations.  The success of Heritage Week in County Donegal lies with the many people, heritage organisations, museums, heritage centres and community groups that have organised events this year to focus attention on the local heritage that helps to define County Donegal’s sense of place.  The tremendous efforts of these enthusiastic and committed people (often on a voluntary basis) reinforce the reputation of ‘Heritage Week’ as a truly countywide and national event in the annual calendar.”

Michael Starrett, CEO of The Heritage Council highlighted the importance of Heritage Week at the national level.  “The diversity and sheer number of events that take place in every county across Ireland during National Heritage Week is what makes it unique,” he said.  “This year we are focusing on families, encouraging young and old to get out and connect with the heritage ingrained in all of us.  For the older generation, the week is a fantastic opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge with children and grandchildren, in particular reflecting on the changes that have taken place over the years.  For families of all ages, it is also a chance to take a break from the daily grind and explore the hidden treasures of our heritage, whether it is our built, cultural or natural heritage”.

Copies of the County Donegal ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide will be available free-of-charge from libraries, public service centres, museums, heritage centres and tourist offices and on-line at the County Donegal Heritage Office website at: www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage.  Updates are available on the National 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: [email protected]