National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30 this year. The Heritage Council is encouraging people and organisations to get involved in National Heritage Week by organising an event in their town, village or community. On-line registration is now open and all events must be registered by Sunday, May 31 in order to be included the free National Heritage Week Event Guide produced by The Heritage Council. You can register your event by submitting the details on-line at www.heritageweek.ie or by completing a ‘Heritage Week’ registration form available from The Heritage Council on 1850 200 878.
The County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council will also be producing its free, pocket-size County Donegal ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide that has proved so popular in recent years based on the information submitted to The Heritage Council.
“Heritage Week was a tremendous success in County Donegal in 2014. We had over 100 events taking place at local venues in the county and most of them were free” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “Events included family open days, guided walks, built heritage open houses, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, illustrated presentations, photographic competitions, children’s activities, genealogical research, storytelling sessions, traditional music, craft fairs and traditional skills demonstrations.” The Tor Mór Cultural Tourism Committee won the ‘Best Community Event’ and ‘Best Overall Event’ at the National Heritage Week awards ceremony in Kilkenny in December 2014 for its boat trip and tour of Doon Fort in west Donegal organised as part of National Heritage Week. Last year, over 400,000 people participated in 1,800 events around the country.
National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council and Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from Fáilte Ireland. The principal aims of ‘National Heritage Week’ are to foster awareness of the value of our built, cultural and natural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation and to raise interest in our shared European heritage. Speaking about National Heritage Week, Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of The Heritage Council said, “With National Heritage Week we want to celebrate the work of thousands of local enthusiasts and experts who give their time to the preservation and protection of our national heritage. It is also a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to explore their local community and see it through the fascinating perspective of heritage.”
Where possible, events should be free of charge or 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, log on to www.heritageweek.ie, e-mail [email protected] or telephone 1850 200 878
ENDS
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: [email protected]
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