National Heritage Week offers a feast of events
It's part of the Kildare schedule for National Heritage Week, which begins on Saturday 19 August and runs through until the 27th.
There are some 113 events in the county schedule, at locations right across Kildare and encompassing an enormous variety of subjects that make up the complicated mosaic of our local heritage.
Many of the events are organised by history, heritage and tidy towns groups to showcase their local heritage. "I have to commend community and heritage groups for their enthusiasm and energy during heritage week each year," says Bridget Loughlin, County Kildare Heritage Officer.
She notes that the emphasis this year is on natural heritage, with the aim of showing people how they can make small changes that will help preserve the natural environment for generations to come. "National Heritage Week will show people how they can play their part in protecting our natural heritage all year long from making our gardens pollinator-friendly to volunteering for local clean ups and citizen science projects. It is an opportunity to learn how we can protect our endangered species and habitats and see how the work and commitment of local communities is conserving nature, for us and for future generations."
Close to Kilcullen events include boat tours in Athy, access to the Tower of Allen with unrivalled views of the county, a cruise on a barge to the Leinster Aqueduct from Sallins, a presentation on the Moone High Cross and other local history places in Castledermot, and a reflection on the industrial history of Kildare in the Riverbank on Newbridge with a display of bricks by Liam Kenny.
And much more. A full list with dates, times and locations is available here.
A number of audio guides to heritage areas in the county are also available from www.abartaheritage.ie.
Our picture shows Nessa Dunlea and Mary Orford leading a heritage walk around Kilcullen in a previous year.
