Great War weekend in Athy Heritage Centre

A 2-day event on Kildare and the Great War to be held in Athy Heritage Centre will offer an audio and visual experience for all those with an interest and a family connection to the conflict, writes Brian Byrne.

It's being held on Saturday/Sunday 9/10 November as part of the Centre's Gathering 2013 presentation, and will also be the first phase of a 1914 initiative.

Proceedings begin on both days at 12 noon and will go on until 4pm.

The Living History module will feature a typical Recruitment Office, Military Medal Display, Weapon Display, Soldiers Kit and living quarters. Original film footage will be run and there are opportunities to hear accounts of the Great War on audio guides.

In a Research Your Ancestors module, a military historian will be on site to help trace ancestors. There's also a lecture series — on the Saturday at 2pm on 'Military Campaigns through Athy service Records' and on the Sunday at the same time 'The Great War'

Also on the Sunday in the Athy Community Arts Centre a drama 'March Away My Brothers' at will be presented at 8pm. Further information is available at 059 8633075 or email athyheritage@eircom.net.

The event should be of interest to Kilcullen people, as many families have connections to people who fought in the War.