Office of Public Works announces over 100 events for National Heritage Week 2024

Office of Public Works announce free weekend admission for National Heritage Week 2024

• Largest ever OPW events programme, taking place from 17th to 25th August at heritage sites nationwide

• Full OPW events schedule at www.heritageireland.ie and www.heritageweek.ie

• Two free days of admission on 17th and 18th August

Organised by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events.

A shared objective of National Heritage Week and the wider work of the OPW Heritage Services is to stimulate interest, meaningful inclusion and community connection. The OPW is pleased to support National Heritage Week to ensure individuals, groups and families can get out and explore what Ireland’s heritage sites have to offer.

Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Services & Capital Works Delivery said:

“This year’s National Heritage Week theme, Connections, Routes and Networks, provides an ideal opportunity to highlight deep-rooted connections between OPW Heritage Ireland sites across Ireland.

In planning events, we have approached the theme from a number of perspectives, including community, biodiversity and navigation.

Our sites offer a rich tapestry of crafts and traditions that tell the story of the connections between our people, heritage, communities and culture. With more than 100 events taking place across country, and our free admission days on 17th and 18th August, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy”.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive at the Heritage Council said:

“Heritage Week is a fantastic festival of events, where everyone from big organisations to small voluntary community groups come together to make significant contributions to the celebration of our national heritage. We have shared an excellent partnership with OPW over many years, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome the largest ever programme of events at OPW heritage sites.”

Highlights of OPW’s National Heritage Week Events Programme:

• Embark on a Local Link to the Past and use your Local Link ticket to gain free entry to sites on the Local Link network. Participating sites include the Glendalough and Clonmacnoise Monastic Sites and Visitor Centres, Portumna Castle and Gardens, Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre – Oldbridge Estate, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Sligo Abbey, Donegal Castle, Charles Fort, Ennis Friary, Ionad an Bhlascaoid – the Blasket Centre.

• Acclaimed author Anne Chambers presents the life of Eleanor, Countess of Desmond (1545-1639) at Sligo Abbey. Lady Eleanor was an active participant in a period of immense social and political upheaval, chaos and change. This year marks the 400th anniversary of her impressive burial monument at Sligo Abbey.

• The Rock of Cashel present a talk on Pilgrimage in Medieval Tipperary by Dr. Louise Nugent.

• At John F Kennedy Arboretum, events highlight the site’s key role in conservation. Join experts such as Éanna Ní Lamhna and Dr Paddy Madden for educational walks for all ages.

• Casino Marino and Marino Resident's Association are celebrating the centenary of the Marino Housing Scheme, Dublin Corporation’s first large-scale suburban development. Join Casino guides on a walking tour to explore the history of the area that was once Lord Charlemont's demesne. Marino Resident's Association will have an exhibition of memorabilia on display in the Casino from the last one hundred years, displaying the evolution of the Marino housing estate from its conception to modern times.

• Irish language events will take place at Dublin Castle, Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham Castle and the Rock of Cashel.

• A community-generated exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Stories from the Gardens captures the memories of visitors and staff alike over the long history of this beloved institution.

• Wild Child Day at Dublin Castle: Explore the birds depicted in the art collection of the State Apartments - doves, blackbirds, ravens, owls, woodpeckers, peacocks and magpies. Following this, use materials from the Education Room and images of the birds depicted in the art collection to decorate bird boxes just like those hanging in the Dubh Linn Gardens.

Notes

National Heritage Week runs from the 17th to 25th August 2024. Visit www.heritageweek.ie for a full list of 2024 events

Free admission on 17th and 18th August to all fee-paying sites except for Kilmainham Gaol Museum. For a full list of OPW Heritage Sites, please visit www.heritageireland.ie

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request to discuss this initiative. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

The Office of Public Works (OPW)

The OPW provides accommodation for Government Services and manages much of the State’s property portfolio.

It cares for 780 heritage sites, including national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. It is the Government’s principal engineering agency, providing an engineering service to the Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management functions of the OPW as well as to other Government Departments.

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