Family-Oriented Heritage Activities During Heritage Week: Enjoyment for Everyone
National Heritage Week returns to Ireland from August 16 to 24, offering a diverse range of events across the country. This year's theme, Exploring Our Foundations, invites everyone to delve deeper into Ireland's rich cultural, built, and natural heritage.
Highlights Across Ireland
The week will see many historical sites opening their doors to the public for free or at a reduced cost. Local communities are organizing talks, workshops, and guided tours to showcase their unique cultural and historical heritage.
Participants can engage in living history displays, where reenactments and demonstrations bring the past to life. For nature enthusiasts, there will be events focusing on Ireland's natural heritage, such as nature walks and birdwatching.
Regional Events
Ennistymon, County Clare
The Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills takes place in Ennistymon on August 16. This event celebrates traditional craft and building skills, with master craftspeople demonstrating lime plastering, stone cutting, blacksmithing, thatching, and glassmaking.
Athenry, County Galway
Athenry Walled Town Day takes place on August 17 from 1pm to 5pm. This event celebrates the town's Norman heritage, offering a vibrant mix of arts, crafts, music, song, and dance, medieval reenactments, puppet shows, children's activities, food stalls, historical presentations, and a walking tour of the historic town.
Athenry Community Park and Athenry Heritage Centre
The celebration continues on August 16 with a free family fun day. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including workshops, talks, and guided tours.
Woodstown, County Waterford
The Woodstown Viking Site hosts the Woodstown Viking Festival on August 17 from 12pm to 5pm. This event celebrates Ireland's Viking heritage, featuring battle re-enactments, Viking games, a craft village, archaeology activities for children, and more.
Kilkenny
Áras na hOidhreachta will host a celebration of Ireland's traditional craft and building skills on August 16. The event is free, open from 11am to 4pm, and includes tours of the remarkable former Bishop's Palace.
Athlone, County Westmeath
Athlone Castle will have a free open day on August 16 from 10:30am to 5:30pm. Visitors can explore the castle and participate in a variety of activities.
Nationwide Collaboration
National Heritage Week is brought to you by Déise Medieval, Waterford City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, TVAS Archaeology, the Discovery Programme, and SETU. The events aim to bring together communities, families, organizations, cultural institutions, academics, and enthusiasts in a celebration of heritage, community, and craft.
With over 2,000 events scheduled, there's something for everyone during National Heritage Week 2021. Workshops have limited capacity, so early booking is strongly recommended. Join the celebration and explore Ireland's foundations!
Engage in a diverse range of lifestyle activities during National Heritage Week, including workshops on lost skills at the Rekindle Festival in Ennistymon, County Clare, or delve into fashion-and-beauty demonstrations at the Athenry Walled Town Day in County Galway.
Sample various food-and-drink offerings at the free family fun day in Athenry Community Park and Athenry Heritage Centre, or visit the Woodstown Viking Festival in County Waterford for a taste of Viking recipes and crafts. For those interested in home-and-garden, explore the remarkable former Bishop's Palace at the celebration of Ireland's traditional craft and building skills in Kilkenny. Travel across the country to participate in these events and many more during National Heritage Week 2021.
