Varied Heritage Week programme
Nearly thirty events have been planned throughout the county to celebrate Heritage Week in Kildare. This is a great opportunity to discover Kildare’s unique and varied heritage.
Heritage Week takes place from Saturday 26 August to Sunday 2 September and is part of a European-wide initiative with the express aims of fostering awareness of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage, thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation, increasing interest in our shared heritage.
Throughout Kildare there are a wide variety of events this year, many organised by local groups and reflecting a growing interest in local history and heritage.
These events include a series of talks on KFM entitled “Your Time – Your Place”, given by The County Kildare Federation of Local History Groups; Celbridge Library will host a talk “Desperate Housewives” by Dr. Maebh O’Regan and archaeologist Emer Dennehy will give a presentation on the 13th Century Franciscan site at Grey Abbey. An illustrated talk on the greater Leixlip area in maps, including the Dublin to Mullingar toll or turnpike road will be given by local historian John Colgan in Leixlip library.
For the more active, IPCC are looking for volunteers to assist in the removal of invasive species at Lullymore West Cutaway bog as part of its conservation management
A number of exhibitions will be held throughout the county including the History of Leixlip GAA in Leixlip library and a demonstration of online mapping – Historical 19th Century Series will be given by the Ordnance survey of Ireland in Naas Library.
Many local history groups will be hosting events such as a bus trip around Kildare exploring “The Forgotten Heritage of County Kildare" led by Ger McCarthy of Naas Local History group, a guided tour of Johnstown’s Historical Sites by Brian McCabe of Johnstown Local History Group and Kilcullen Heritage Centre will host a reflection on the Capers and their importance to Kilcullen through the 70s and 80s.
Heritage sites within the county, such as the Athy and Kildare Heritage Centre, The National Stud and Maynooth Castle have free admission or special concessions during the week. Kildare County Council has compiled a listing of these and the many other events happening around the County, which is available on www.kildare.ie or in all local libraries. To view a listing of Heritage Week events in other counties go to www.heritageweek.ie or call 1850200878.
Brigid Loughlin
Heritage Officer
Kildare County Council
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