8 August 2022
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Running from Saturday 13th – Sunday 21st August, organisers have responded with vigour to this year’s theme of biodiversity and sustainability
Butter making at the Cork Public Museum; an LGBT walking tour of the city; a bat walk on Harper’s Island; and a geo-walk of Barley Cove to explore the evidence of when a tsunami reached West Cork. This is just a flavour of the wide-ranging events taking place across Cork that will allow people to get hands-on with heritage as part of National Heritage Week 2022, which kicks off this Saturday, 13th August and runs until Sunday, 21st August.
In-person event and digital project organisers have responded with enthusiasm to this year’s theme of sustainability and biodiversity, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds from across Cork to learn more about the county’s built, cultural and natural heritage, helping to ensure its preservation and protection into the future. The Heritage Council is calling on heritage newcomers, enthusiasts and experts alike to consider how they might encourage and promote sustainability in their own lives during National Heritage Week and beyond.
The Heritage Council is encouraging people to visit www.heritageweek.ie to see what events are taking place in their locality or across the country. Participants can browse the website and create a bespoke National Heritage Week ‘Events Trail’ to help them plan their week according to their location, their particular heritage interests and their preferred event type, such as a festival, performance, exhibition or re-enactment.
Some local highlights from this year’s National Heritage Week programme include:
- Butter making at the Cork Public Museum: Join Peter Foynes for Butter making demonstrations at the Cork Public Museum. More…
- Cork LGBT History Walking Tour: Visit places of significance for Cork LGBT History and hear stories from each site on this LGBT history walking tour, led by Orla Egan of the Cork LGBT Archive. More…
- Harper’s Island Bat Walk: Learn about the ecology of Irish bats, their importance to us and what we can do to help them at this night-time event that will use ultrasonic and thermal-imaging technology to allow participants to hear and see the bats. More…
- When a tsunami reached West Cork: A Geo-walk at Barley Cove to investigate the evidence. Take a guided walk to show evidence of the tsunami that struck the Irish coastline in 1755, generated by the Lisbon Earthquake. More…
Chief Executive of the Heritage Council of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said:
“This year, National Heritage Week looks to the past to create a better future. The theme of sustainable heritage and biodiversity encourages us all to reflect on how our history and heritage can play a part in protecting our planet. Whether it’s learning a new skill like embroidery, blacksmithing or pottery making; better understanding how to prevent biodiversity loss in our own back gardens or country lanes; or gaining fresh insight into the history of our art, music or the Irish language and sharing this knowledge among friends and family, there are endless ways to get involved. I would encourage people to visit the National Heritage Week website and browse the vast array of events and projects taking place and plan their week. I would like to thank all in-person event and digital project organisers for their enthusiasm and dedication, and wish them the very best as National Heritage Week approaches.”
Two themed days will take place during National Heritage Week. On Saturday, 20th August, Wild Child Day invites children to go outside and explore Ireland’s natural heritage and biodiversity in a fun and enjoyable way. The Heritage Council is encouraging children to look at the world around them differently, to open their eyes to the diverse beauty of the landscape in their area and to explore their locality or even further afield. On Sunday, 21st August, as part of Water Heritage Day, the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme invite people to participate in National Heritage Week events that celebrate water and our connections with it.
Coordinated by the Heritage Council since 2005, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events. It is supported by the Local Authority Heritage Officer network and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For more national information, visit www.heritageweek.ie.
Millie Long with Lt Col Adrian Keohane, Defence Forces Ireland at the launch of Cork Heritage Open Day which is organised by Cork City Council, as part of Heritage Week, and sees over 30 historic buildings open their doors to the public on Saturday August 13. Cork Heritage Open Day will also feature historic guided walking tours of the streets of Cork, guided tours of Cork buildings and talks and exhibitions on the built heritage of Cork. www.corkheritageopenday.ie
PIC Darragh Kane
Millie Long looking at a picture of Michael Collins in Collins Barracks at the launch of Cork Heritage Open Day which is organised by Cork City Council, as part of Heritage Week, and sees over 30 historic buildings open their doors to the public on Saturday August 13. Cork Heritage Open Day will also feature historic guided walking tours of the streets of Cork, guided tours of Cork buildings and talks and exhibitions on the built heritage of Cork. www.corkheritageopenday.ie
PIC Darragh Kane
Sisters Faye and Millie Long with Regd Segt Major Mick Ronayne and Lt Col Adrian Keohane, Defence Forces Ireland at the launch of Cork Heritage Open Day which is organised by Cork City Council, as part of Heritage Week, and sees over 30 historic buildings open their doors to the public on Saturday August 13. Cork Heritage Open Day will also feature historic guided walking tours of the streets of Cork, guided tours of Cork buildings and talks and exhibitions on the built heritage of Cork. www.corkheritageopenday.ie
PIC Darragh Kane
