Explore Your Foundations during Heritage Week

Culture

Explore Your Foundations during Heritage Week

With over 100 events taking place for National Heritage Week in County Donegal, it’s an ideal opportunity for people to explore the natural, built, cultural and archaeological heritage around us.  National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 16 until Sunday, August 24 and most events are free.  The full programme of events is available on-line at www.heritageweek.ie

“This year’s theme is Exploring Our Foundations and everyone is encouraged to explore our heritage and to examine the foundations upon which our communities, cultures and landscapes are built” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.  “There’s an impressive programme of events taking place all across the county organised by heritage organisations, community groups and individuals – many on a voluntary basis.  It’s their commitment, dedication and effort that makes Heritage Week in County Donegal the great success it is.  The range of events include built heritage open houses, traditional skills and crafts demonstrations, guided walks, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, talks, workshops, boat trips, bus tours, historical re-enactments, launch events, traditional music and children’s activities.  There are over 20 events organised or part-funded by the Culture Division of Donegal County Council that includes the Heritage Office, Biodiversity Office, Museum, Archives, Library Service, Arts Office and the Regional Cultural Centre.” 

“Events can be registered right up until the start of Heritage Week so keep an eye on the Heritage Week website or your local newspapers for further details of events in your area.  The National Heritage Week website allows you to search by area and by day so you can plan your Heritage Week itinerary.  County Donegal Heritage Week event organisers can collect free National Heritage Week-branded merchandise at the County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny.  These include high-visibility vests, t-shirts, hats and bunting.” 

There are also themed days as part of the week.  Heritage Open Doors takes place on Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 and there will be civic and historic properties open to the public for free.  In County Donegal, there are several Heritage Open Doors events taking place throughout the week.  Wild Child Day takes place on Saturday, August 23 and encourages children and families to make the most of the outdoors to enjoy and explore the heritage and biodiversity in their locality.  Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday, August 24 and celebrates Ireland’s water, our connections with it and how our history and heritage has been shaped by the sea, rivers, lakes and wetlands. 

National Heritage Week is an integral part of European Heritage Days celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe with a theme of Heritage & Architecture this year.  National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council & Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. 

Full details and updates are available on the National Heritage Week website at: www.heritageweek.ie

HERITAGE WEEK EVENTS IN COUNTY DONEGAL – AT A GLANCE

Week-long Events:

    Working Over By: Donegal Emigrant Working Lives in Scotland exhibition in Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny on     Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Another Time Undone - Vivienne Dick, Jill Quigley, and Adrian O’Carroll - Exhibition in the Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road,     Letterkenny on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Govanhill - Simon Murphy - Exhibition in the Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.     and Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Hands-On, Drop-In, Art Room in the Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday     to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Salthill Gardens at Mountcharles open daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission €8.
    The New Lifford Museum, based in the historic Lifford Old Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday and 10     a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.  
    The Workhouses of County Donegal Exhibition at Bundoran Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
    Free entry to Newmills Corn & Flax Mills, Letterkenny daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Taispeántas Plein Air at Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday     and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Saturday, August 16:
    Inishowen’s Secret Island, hosted by Inishowen Rivers Trust at Casan, Dunaff, Clonmany at 10 a.m. 
    Bundoran Community Museum Building Tour at Bundoran Community Centre, Main Street, Bundoran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Open Day at Donegal Castle, Castle Street, Donegal Town from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
    Unveiling of information board on Knockalla Coast Road and the Men who Built It at Binn an Sceiligh, Knockalla at 11 a.m. 
    Open Day at Tony Gallinagh's Museum, Backleas, Stranorlar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Chronicles of Change 1925-2025, an exhibition presented by Colgan Heritage Committee in Colgan Hall, Carndonagh from 11 am to 4 pm
    Heritage Open Day at Teach John Micí Bán in Carrigart from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Managing Grasslands and Farming for Ground-nesting Birds organised by Breeding Waders EIP at Rinmore, Fanad at 11.30 a.m. 
    Open Day at Raphoe Recreational Hall, The Diamond, Raphoe hosted by Raphoe Badminton Club from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 
    Plein Air Workshops at Glebe House & Gallery, Church Hill from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
    Children's Print Workshop with Laura Buchanan, hosted by Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny at 2 p.m. Booking Essential
    The Townland of An Leadhb Gharbh, Árainn Mhór in An Chultúrlann, Fál an Ghabhann, Árainn Mhór, a daytime event organised by     Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
    Lectures and Tours at Leitir Corn Mill, Kilcar hosted by Muileann Coirce Leitir from 2 p.m. to 4.15 p.m.
    Open Wildlife Garden at Ros Ban Garden, Common, Raphoe from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Donations encouraged to Donegal Carers’ Association.
    The Donegal Railways: Aspects of their History and Folklore, a talk hosted by Donegal Railway Museum, Tyrconnell Street, Donegal     Town at 3 p.m. Booking Required.
    Dunfanaghy Workhouse Guided Tour by Róisín McNally in Donegal Famine Heritage Centre, Dunfanaghy at 3 p.m. 
    William J. Doherty, Engineer and Antiquarian, a talk hosted by Fahan Community Development Partnership CLG at Lamberton’s Farm,     Fahan at 7.30 p.m. 

Sunday, August 17:
    Gong Bath at Donegal Castle, Castle Street, Donegal Town at 8.30 a.m. and at 6 p.m. Booking Required
    Heritage Walk through Trussey Park Trail organised by Colgan Heritage Committee, leaving Colgan Hall, Carndonagh at 10 am Cost €5.
    Spanish Armada Experience in Donegal, a re-enactment walk organised by Donegal G.A.P. Heritage and History Group.  Departing from     Kilclooney Dolmen Centre at 10:45 a.m.  Booking Required.  Cost €15. 
    Chronicles of Change 1925-2025, an exhibition presented by Colgan Heritage Committee in Colgan Hall, Carndonagh from 11 am to 4 pm 
    Try the Pipes – Donegal Town, hosted by Na Píobairí Uilleann in O’Donnell’s Music Shop, Castle Street, Donegal Town from 12 noon t    o 2 p.m. 
    Lá Gaelach at Teach John Micí Bán, Carraig Airt from 1 p.m. 
    Partition & the North-Western Railways, a talk and booklet launch hosted by Donegal Railway Museum, Tyrconnell Street, Donegal     Town at 2 p.m. Booking Required.
    Dúlra an Mhachaire, siúlóid páirce ag bailiú ag Easa Rancan, An Machaire, Ard an Ratha ag 2 p.m. 
    Exploring the Roots and Foundation of Kilbarron Castle, an afternoon of events organised by the Kilbarron Church Conservation     Group at the Micheál Ó Cléirigh Primary School, Creevy, Ballyshannon starting at 2:30 p.m.
    History Talk at Doirí Beaga, Gaoth Dobhair, hosted by County Donegal Historical Society at the Old Church Doirí Beaga, Gaoth     Dobhair at 3 p.m.
    Vinyl Sunday at Glebe House & Gallery in Church Hill from 3 p.m. to 16:30 p.m.

Monday, August 18:
    Bee ID – Learning to Recognise our Native Pollinators, organised by Donegal County Council Biodiversity Office at Bundoran     Community Centre (beside Bundoran Community Library) from 11 a.m. Booking Required. 
    Donegal Community Archaeology Drop-In Clinic, one-to-one consultations facilitated by Donegal Community Archaeologist Kate Robb     (John Cronin & Associates) in Central Library, Main Street, Letterkenny from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
    Letterkenny Walking Tour & Website Launch by Letterkenny Community Heritage Group at Station House Hotel, Lower Main Street,     Letterkenny from 7 p.m. 
    Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Jaunt, a guided tour leaving from the Hiring Fair statues, Market Square, Letterkenny at 8 p.m. Cost     €5.

 
Tuesday, August 19:
    A Heritage Walk Through the Hills Behind Rossnowlagh led by The Rossnowlagh Ramblers and archaeologist Franc Myles leaving from     Coolmore Carpark, Rossnowlagh at 10 a.m. 
    Donegal-Scotland Event, hosted by the Regional Cultural Centre and Donegal County Museum starting at 10 a.m. Booking Required.
    The Really Wild Table Quiz with Nature NorthWest, in Central Library, Letterkenny at 11 a.m.
    ‘Working Over By’ Living History performance in Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny at 1:30 p.m.
    Talk on the History and Business of Weaving from McNutt of Donegal in Central Library, Letterkenny at 6 p.m.
    Green Guardians: Exploring the Web of Life, an introduction to biodiversity using simple language and real-life specimens run by     Inishowen Rivers Trust in Lagg Presbyterian Church, Lagg, Malin at 6 p.m. Booking Required.
    Ballyshannon's Railways Remembered, a talk & display hosted by Donegal Railway Museum in Dorrian’s Imperial Hotel, Ballyshannon.     Booking Required.
    The Dunfanaghy Currach of Donegal, a talk by Dónal Mac Polin in Donegal Famine Heritage Centre, Dunfanaghy at 7 p.m.
    Archaeological Excavations at Disert, County Donegal 2019-2024, a talk hosted by Disert Heritage Group in the Bluestack Centre,     Drimarone at 7:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, August 20:
    Explore Your Shore! at Portmór Pier, Malin Head organised by the Donegal County Council Biodiversity Office at 10 a.m. Booking     Required.
    Inishowen's Archaeology - A Visual Overview hosted by Lands of Eogain in Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle from 10 a.m. to     4:30 p.m.
    Open Day at Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    A Guided Walk Along Rossnowlagh Beach led by the Friends of Rossnowlagh leaving from the Surf Club Ramp, Rossnowlagh at 11 a.m.
    Exploring 5000 Years of Foundations from Rituals to Farming, talks organised by Raphoe Community In Action CLG leaving from     Beltany Stone Circle car park, The Tops, Raphoe at 12 noon.
    Bunscoltacha Ghaoth Dobhair 1831-2000, taispeántas le Stair agus Seanchas an Bhuna Bhig ins An Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga ó meánlae go     4 p.m. Beidh caint ann ag 2 p.m.
    Exploring Old Letterkenny through Surveys, Plans, Maps & Archives, a series of presentations and displays from Donegal Studies and     Donegal County Archives in Central Library, Letterkenny at 2:30 p.m.
    Talk on Conservation of Heritage Properties in Raphoe, a talk by Paul Doherty Architects & Cala Architects in conjunction with the     Raphoe Heritage-Led Regeneration Strategy & Action Plan at The Diamond, Raphoe at 3:30 p.m.
    Litreacha de Chuid Bhunadh na hÉireann i Méiriceá Thuaidh, caint le Breandán Mac Suibhne i Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair,     Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair, Doirí Beaga ag 6 p.m.
    Tour of Clonleigh Parish Church, Lifford, a walk and talk with Jo Mitchell, Conservation Architect at 7 p.m.
    The Heritage of Culdaff, a discussion hosted by Culdaff Development Association / Tidy Towns in the Wee Hall, Culdaff at 7 p.m.
    Doochary – Duchoraidh Village Heritage Day, a series of events organised by Cumann Forbartha - Na Dúchoraidh/ Doochary Tidy Towns,     Doochary Development Group held in Duchoraidh Village and the Corkscrew Pub from 7 p.m.
    Fintown -The Revenue Police and the Ribbonism Conspiracy , a talk by Dr. Mark McGovern and hosted by Cumann Forbartha - Na     Dúchoraidh/ Doochary Tidy Towns, Doochary Development Group in the Corkscrew Bar Lounge, An Duchoraidh at 7:30 p.m. 
    A talk by Mrs. Helen Meehan, Past President of the Donegal Historical Society, organised by Inver Heritage Group in Inver Village     at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 21:
    Explore Your Shore! Fintra Beach, Killybegs organised by the Donegal County Council Biodiversity Office at 10 a.m. Booking     Required.
    Leave No Trace Awareness Course organised by National Parks and Wildlife Service at Gartan Outdoor Education Centre from 10 a.m.     Booking Required.
    Open Day St. Connell's Museum, Mill Road, Glenties from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
    Cathedral Quarter Office Open Day on Church Lane, Letterkenny from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    An saol mar a bhí ar bharr na dtonn, tasipeántas le Coiste Forbartha Inis Bo Finne ar Inis Bó Finne ó 11 a.m. go 2 p.m.
    Brian Friel and Glenties: Exploring Archives, organised by the Brian Friel Centre in Market Hall, Glenties Community Centre from     11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Lough Derg, Station Island Tour & Boat Trip at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Booking Required. Cost: Adult €15 / Child €5 
    Donegal Town Heritage Walks organised by Donegal Railway Museum, leaving from Donegal Town Information Centre at 12 noon. 
    Bunscoltacha Ghaoth Dobhair 1831-2000, taispeántas le Stair agus Seanchas an Bhuna Bhig ins An Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga ó meánlae go     4 p.m. Beidh caint ann ag 2 p.m.
    Garden Talk at the Glebe House and Gallery in Glebe House & Gallery, Gartan, Church Hill at 1 p.m.
    Site Visit to The Laurels House and Garden organised by Donegal County Council at Station Road, Glenties at 2 p.m.
    Weaving Workshop at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town starting at 2 p.m. Booking Required.
    Glenties IFI Nature Exploring, a walk through Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Owenea Angling Centre, Mill Road, Glenties led by     NatureNorthWest and LAWPRO at 2 p.m. Booking Required. 
    The Life and Legacy of Wolfe Tone, a talk with Dr. Ruan O’Donnell in Central Library, Letterkenny at 6:30 p.m.
    Exploring our Foundations - The Story is in the Stones!, an illustrated talk from Rathmullan History and Heritage Group in SVP     Centre, Chapel Road, Rathmullan at 8 p.m. 
    Seisiún Ceoil & Scéal / Music & Story, an evening of story and song, music and memories with participants in the 'WayFinders:     Fanad' project and Comhaltas Craobh Fhánada in the Lighthouse Tavern, Fanad at 8 p.m.

Friday, August 22:
    Coach Trip from Dunkineely Community Centre organised by Dunkineely Community Limited at 9:30 a.m.  Booking Required.  Cost €20.
    Abbey of Donegal Historical Tour leaving from The Quay, Donegal Town at 11 a.m. 
    Wildlife Art Workshop by Robert Vaughan at Glenveagh National Park. Booking Required. 
    The Foundation of People, Place and Culture, workshops run by Deele Community Anglers CLG at Convoy Enterprise Centre from 12     noon. 
    Donegal Town Heritage Walks organised by Donegal Railway Museum, leaving from Donegal Town Information Centre at 12 noon. 
    Bunscoltacha Ghaoth Dobhair 1831-2000, taispeántas le Stair agus Seanchas an Bhuna Bhig ins An Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga ó meánlae go     4 p.m. Beidh caint ann ag 2 p.m.
    Nature & Water Above Gartan, a walk and talk hosted by NatureNorthWest and LAWPRO leaving from Glebe House and Gallery, Gartan,     Church Hill at 3 p.m. Booking Required.
    A Light Across The Land: 200 Years Since Drummond at Sliabh Sneacht ,a walk and lecture hosted by The Active Inishowen Project,     IDP & DSP (Sport Ireland) in the Sliabh Sneacht Centre, Drumfries, Clonmany at 3 p.m. Booking Required. 
    Cello & Piano in Glenveagh National Park from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Inver Station Model Display and Exhibition Launch hosted by Donegal Railway Museum in Dunkineely Community Centre at 5:30 p.m.
    Woodland Wander at Drumboe Wood, Stranorlar with Shailagh Healy, organised by the Donegal County Council Biodiversity Office at 6     p.m. Booking Required.
    Walk in the Footsteps of the Lough Eske Friars organised by the Lough Eske Heritage & Community Group leaving from Harvey’s Point     Hotel car park, Lough Eske at 6:30 p.m.  Voluntary donation €10.
    Discover Bats at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town at 8 p.m. Booking Required.

Saturday, August 23:
    Wild Child Day Nature Art at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Booking Required.
    Abbey of Donegal Historical Tour leaving from The Quay, Donegal Town at 11 a.m. 
    Boat Strand Nature, The Boat Strand, An Carn Buí, An Charraig Fhinn, organised by the Donegal County Council Biodiversity Office     at 11 a.m. Booking Required. 
    Celebrating Inishowen’s Natural Heritage, an exhibition, hosted by Clonmany Genealogy and Heritage Group in Market House, Clonmany     from 12 noon to 4 p.m. 
    Plein Air Workshops at Glebe House & Gallery, Church Hill from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
    Donegal Mela - A Celebration of Indian Culture in An Grianan Theatre Plaza, Port Road, Letterkenny from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    Visit of the Grounds and Talk at ‘The Old Rectory’, Inver at 1 p.m. 
    ‘Working Over By’ Living History performance in Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny at 1:30 p.m.
    A Traditional Skills Demonstration, showcasing Woodturning and Blacksmithing, organised by Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter at 3     Church Lane, Letterkenny from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Donegal’s Early Natural Historians – A Talk to Celebrate 100 Years of the Irish Naturalists’ Journal hosted by Irish Naturalists     Journal and NPWS in the Visitors Centre, Glenveagh National Park at 2 p.m. 
    Turas Teach Solais Fhánada - A Tour of Fanad Lighthouse, with a free guided tour ‘as Gaeilge’ at 2 p.m.
    Salthill, Mountcharles, Let’s Talk and Walk, organised by Mountcharles Heritage and Walking Group leaving from the Big Pier,     Mountcharles at 3 p.m.
    The History of Old Killaghtee Church at Killaghtee historic graveyard, Spamount, St. John’s Point organised by Dunkineely     Community CLG at 4 p.m.
    Bat Walk in Drumboe Woods, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, organised by Bat Conservation Ireland at 9 p.m. Booking Required.

Sunday, August 24:
    Open Day at Railway Crossing Cottage in Drimark organised by the Irish Landmark Trust from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Booking Required.
    Open Day at St. John’s Point Lightkeeper’s Houses organised by the Irish Landmark Trust from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Booking Required.
    Open Day at Termon House, Maghery organised by the Irish Landmark Trust from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Booking Required.
    Abbey of Donegal Historical Tour leaving from The Quay, Donegal Town at 11 a.m. 
    Renovation of the Decorative Railings at St. Mary's Church, Ramelton, a presentation and display organised by the Parish Council     of St. Mary’s Church in the Parish Centre, St. Mary’s Church, Ramelton at 12 noon.
    Road to the Railway Vintage Car and Tractor Run, organised by Donegal Railway Museum, Donegal Town at 12 noon. Booking Required.     Cost €20 per vehicle.
    Display of Malin Head Weddings and Cottage Kitchen, presented by Malin Heritage Group in Malin Head Community Centre, Inishowen     from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission €2, children free.
    Celebrating Inishowen’s Natural Heritage, an exhibition, hosted by Clonmany Genealogy and Heritage Group in Market House, Clonmany     from 1 p.m to 4:30 p.m.
    Bog and Beyond, a walk into Altan Farm organised by Cairde na hEaragaile, leaving from Ionad Pobail Dhún Lúiche at 1:30 p.m.     Booking Required. Cost €5.
    Kilcar Invasive Species Project organised by Kilcar Parish Council in Leitir Corn Mill, Kilcar at 2 p.m.
    Walking Through History, a guided walk organised by Fahan Community Development Partnership CLG leaving from St. Mura’s Church of     Ireland car park, Fahan at 2:30 p.m. 
    Heritage Open Day at Laghey Parish Church from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    Beach Walk & Talk, hosted by Rathmullan Tidy Towns, leaving from the Putting Green, Rathmullan at 3 p.m.
    Vinyl Sundays at Glebe House & Gallery in Church Hill from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    St. John's Point Boat Trip organised by Dunkineely Community Ltd. leaving Killybegs Town Pier (Atlantic Coastal Cruise) at 6 p.m.     Booking Required. Cost €17.
    Twilight at the Castle: a medieval music evening in Donegal Castle, Donegal Town at 7:30 p.m. Booking Required.

Further details and updates on National Heritage Week website at:  www.heritageweek.ie

To save this webpage as a PDF, select ‘Save as PDF’ from the Destination drop down and save.