National Heritage Week 2015
This month Ireland is celebrating its 20th (1995-2015) National Heritage Week. But the history that is being celebrated is much older than that! Indeed, especially when we think of historical monuments and heritage sites, like Newgrange, which dates back over 5,000 years ago. The theme for year is “Industrial and Design Heritage”.
The initiative was started by The Council of Europe and The European Union to encourage Europeans from over forty countries every year to visit historical monuments, sites and events. This celebration of history and heritage takes place during the last week of August to give the people of Europe an opportunity to relive the past and to learn from it, appreciate it and help future generations to also enjoy their rich and historical culture.
National Heritage Week 2015 is organised and managed by the Heritage Council. It will run from the 22nd August to the 30th August, nine days in total, giving everyone including those who have been at work all week an opportunity to get to one of the events that will be held nationwide and in Dublin. “This year the Heritage Council is inviting everyone to examine our past through the unique lens of industrial heritage. The Guinness Storehouse and its comprehensive archive of three hundred years of industrial activity is an ideal place to start. Our industrial past tells the story of change, development and creativity in Ireland. National Heritage Week is the perfect time to find out more about this fascinating, but often neglected, aspect of our past.
In most counties there are still signs of lost industry – a derelict mill, rusting machinery, a chimney, a clogged water race – all mark the sites of a once thriving workplace and community. So this year we are encouraging people to do something different and look to our industrial heritage and celebrate it. It’s well worth a look,” Michael Starrett CEO from the Heritage Council said at the recent launch of National Heritage Week 2015 held at the Guinness Storehouse.
In Dublin alone there will be 328 events held. Many events will be hosted around the country. For those who might want to go away for the weekend, the weekend could be the ideal way to enjoy Ireland’s culture and past. There is expected to be over 400,000 people participating in over 1800 heritage events including archaeological digs in Swords, High Nelly Bicycle tours in Laois, linen-making in Monaghan, exploring the Victorian Water Works in Cork, navigating the Boyne, steam engine rides in Stradbally, copper mining in Allihies and paper making in Clondalkin.
So what about home? In Dublin 8 there will be many events to enjoy for the family. Not surprising considering the area’s rich history, what follows is a list of local events.
Events still to come in Dublin 8
Dublin Uncovered – Learn about SIA’s Dublin Uncovered project for the Liberties & walk with archaeologist Franc Myles who will uncover some fascinating stories about the local area and the site of St Thomas’s Abbey.
Venue: St Thomas’s Abbey/Former Meath Market
Cost: Free
Organiser: CANCELLED
The School of Irish Archaeology
Email: info@sia.ie
Telephone: 087 7556808
Website: http://www.sia.ie/
Booking Required: No
Dates: 30th August 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, 30th August 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM
Hidden History – Archaeological Discoveries on James Street and Thomas Street Archaeologist Antoine Giacometti takes you along James Street and Thomas Street to tell you about some of the fascinating treasures uncovered in the 2014 dig.
Venue: The Obelisk Fountain, James Street Cost:
Free Organiser: The Liberties Dublin
Email: stephen@libertiesdublin.ie
Telephone: 012225180
Website: www.libertiesdublin.ie
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 27th August 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Writing Workshop Writing – Workshop for 10 to 13 year old-s with Fighting Words veteran Caoimhe Creed. Please e-mail 9 DublinCastle@opw.ie with ‘Writing workshop on Sunday 30 Aug’ on the subject line.
Venue: Dublin Castle (exact meeting point upon booking)
Cost: Free Organiser: Office of Public Works
Email: DublinCastle@opw.ie
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 30th August 15:00 PM to 17:00 PM
Heritage Week at Family Farm, Dublin Zoo – Discover more about farming traditions gone by in the Family Farm at Dublin Zoo from Saturday 22
August until Sunday 30 August. To find out more visit: www.thefamilyfarm.ie/events.
Venue: Family Farm, Dublin Zoo
Cost Adult: 16.80
Cost Child: 12.00 (under 3 – FREE)
Cost Concession: 5.80 – 13.00
Organiser: Agri Aware
Email: elizabeth.finnegan@dublinzoo.ie
Telephone: 01 460 1103
Website: http://thefamilyfarm.ie/events/
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 12:00 PM to 16:00 PM , 28th August 12:00 PM to 16:00 PM , 29th August 12:00 PM to 16:00 PM, 30th August 12:00 PM to 16:00 PM
Children’s Art Workshop Farmleigh- Farmleigh’s Chinoiserie Room will be used as inspiration for this children’s Heritage Week Art Workshop. Children will create their own piece of art inspired by the beautiful surroundings of the room.
Venue: Farmleigh House Reception
Cost: Free
Organiser: OPW
Email: farmleightours@gmail.com
Telephone: 01 8155914
Website: www.farmleigh.ie
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 23rd August 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Turas as Gaeilge- Irish language guided tour of Farmleigh House.
Venue: Farmleigh
Cost: Free
Organiser: OPW
Email: farmleightours@gmail.com
Telephone: 01 8155914
Website: www.farmleigh.ie
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 29th August 14:00 PM to 14:45 PM
Children’s Treasure Trail – Find the answers to fun questions about Christ Church as you explore the building. Especially for Heritage Week, prizes are available from the Welcome Desk for anyone under 12 who completes the trail.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 01 6778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM , 28th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM , 29th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM , 30th August 9:00 AM to 16:00 PM
Art Tour Farmleigh House- Guided tour of the artwork on display in Farmleigh House & Estate including the Guinness & state art collection.
Venue: Farmleigh House Reception
Cost: Free
Organiser: OPW
Email: farmleightours@gmail.com
Telephone: 01 8155914
Website: www.farmleigh.ie
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 26th August 14:00 PM to 15:00 PM
Medieval Tiles Pottery – Workshop with Emer O’Sullivan Using the Cathedral’s rare medieval floor tiles as inspiration, local potter Emer O’Sullivan will be running a children’s workshop especially for Heritage Week.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 01 6778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 29th August 13:00 PM to 15:00 PM
Lunchtime Recital – Join us for this year’s Heritage Week for an exciting programme of recitals. Details found at http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/Music_in_Heritage_Week.aspx.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 13:15 PM to 14:00 PM, 28th August 13:15 PM to 14:00 PM
Organ Recital – Join us for this year’s Heritage Week for an exciting programme of recitals and concerts. Details at http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/Music_in_Heritage_Week.aspx.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 18:15 PM to 19:00 PM, 28th August 18:15 PM to 19:00 PM
Evensong – Join us for one of our daily sung services. For details regarding the music go to http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/Music_in_Heritage_Week.aspx.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 17:30 PM to 18:00 PM, 28th August 17:30 PM to 18:00 PM
Heritage Week Quiz – Pick up our special Heritage Week quiz sheet at the reception desk and find the answers as you explore this historical building! A fun way to learn the history of St Audoen’s!
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 6770088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM , 28th August 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM , 29th August 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM , 30th August 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM
O’Carolan Concert by Navan CCE in the Cathedral Courtesy of Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann Navan – Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish Traditional Music.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk 12
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 01 6778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 28th August 14:00 PM to 15:00 PM
Free guided tour of the Cathedral – Walked by a million times and never actually looked around inside? Join us for a free guided tour of the Cathedral during Heritage Week.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 12:00 PM to 13:00 PM, 28th August 12:00 PM to 13:00 PM, 29th August 12:00 PM to 13:00 PM
Evening Talk – A talk on “Portraits of Deans of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral” with Albert Fenton.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 19:30 PM to 20:30 PM
Evening Talk – A talk on “Firmness of Rock: Saint Patrick and his Cathedral” with Eimhin Walsh.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 28th August 19:30 PM to 20:30 PM
Guided Tour – Take a guided tour of this historic building sited at the heart of medieval Dublin. View the hidden Portlester Chapel, a medieval laneway and the effigial cenotaph of Lord Portlester and his wife.
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church and Visitor Centre (OPW)
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 677 0088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 9:30 AM to 16:30 PM , 28th August 9:30 AM to 16:30 PM , 29th August 9:30 AM to 16:30 PM , 30th August 12:00 PM to 16:30 PM
Lunchtime Tours of St. Audoen’s Church – Lunchtime tours: shorter tours designed for the busy worker seeking a break away from the desk and computer!
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre (OPW)
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 677 0088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 13:15 PM to 13:45 PM, 28th August 13:15 PM to 13:45 PM
Family Fun and Heritage Highlights – Join us throughout Heritage Week for themed tours, heritage activities, quizzes and children’s drop-in art fun!
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 677 0088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 10:30 AM to 16:30 PM , 28th August 10:30 AM to 16:30 PM , 29th August 10:30 AM to 16:30 PM , 30th August 12:30 PM to 16:30 PM
‘How did they do that?’ Special Heritage Week Trail – Ever wondered how to make stone look like fur, how to cast iron or the secret to making coloured glass? Here’s your chance to find out, with help from local makers, on our new self-guided trail.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 01 6778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM, 28th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM, 29th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM, 30th August 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM Reduced Price Admission for Families Never visited?
Ring the Bells! – Guided tour of cathedral and belfry – including the chance to ring the cathedral’s record-breaking bells, with Cathedral Tour Guide, Daire Daly.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk 26
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 01 6778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 13:15 PM to 14:00 PM, 28th August 13:15 PM to 14:00 PM
27 Guided Tour of Cathedral Treasury – Calling all silver, manuscript and antiques enthusiasts – discover and learn about some exciting cathedral artefacts with Cathedral Canon Roy Byrne.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 016778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 13:15 PM to 14:00 PM
‘Bad King John; better Prince John?’ – Lecture by Dr Howard Clarke ‘Bad King John; better Prince John?’ a lecture by Dr Howard Clarke, Department of Medieval History, UCD to celebrate the opening of the Christ Church Magna Carta exhibition.
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Cost Concession: €4.50
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 01 6778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 13:00 PM to 14:00 PM
IHTA Walking Tour: ‘From book sellers to wine cellars’ – From book sellers to wine cellars: in the shadows of Christchurch Cathedral. Dr Frank Cullen will lead an intriguing tour of the narrow streets and alleys in the vicinity of Dublin’s oldest cathedrals.
Venue: Dublin
Cost: Free
Organiser: Irish Historic Towns Atlas, Royal Irish Academy
Email: j.moore@ria.ie
Telephone: 016090607
Website: www.ihta.ie
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 27th August 13:00 PM to 14:00 PM
The Building Materials of St Audoen’s Church – A special Heritage Week-themed tour on the building materials used in this ancient church dating back to 1190.
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre 29
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 677 0088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 30th August 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
Design Matters – Aspects of Design at St Audoen’s Church – A special Heritage Week themed tour on aspects of design at St Audoen’s Church.
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 677 0088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 30th August 15:00 PM to 16:00 PM
Print and Patriots – A special Heritage Week tour on St Audoen’s Church in the late 18th century.
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 6770088
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 29th August 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
‘God’s Word– A Light to our Feet and a Lamp to our Paths’ Tour – Come and revisit the familiar Bible Stories illustrated in the stained glass windows and discover their important role. This tour is led by Geoffrey McMaster (Lay Minister).
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk
Cost Adult: €6.00
Cost Child: €2.00
Organiser: Christ Church Cathedral
Email: ruth@christchurch.ie
Telephone: 016778099
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Story of the Guinness Storehouse Building – An outdoor exhibition celebrating the industrial heritage of the Guinness Storehouse.
Venue: St. Stephen’s Green
Cost: Free
Organiser: Guinness Storehouse
Email: info@guinnessstorehouse.com
Telephone: 01-408400
Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com
Booking Required: No
Dates: 27th August 9:00 AM to 23:00 PM , 28th August 9:00 AM to 23:00 PM , 29th August 9:00 AM to 23:00 PM , 30th August 9:00 AM to 23:00 PM
Robert Emmet Community Development Project – A slideshow and display of local industrial heritage focusing on Ushers Quay.
Venue: 3-8 Ushers Street, Dublin 8
Cost: Free
Organiser: Robert Emmet Community Development Project
Email: info@recdp.ie
Telephone: 01 6708880
Website: www.recdp.ie
Booking Required: No Dates: 27th August 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 28th August 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Grand Canal Walk – Walk the Grand Canal and learn about its history, prostitutes and its future.
Venue: Mespil Road, Dublin (near Baggot St)
Cost: Free
Organiser: Royal Canal Amenity Group
Email: eolas@royalcanal.ie
Telephone: 01 6877042/087 4105439
Website: http://royalcanal.ie/heritage_week/
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 27th August 13:00 PM to 14:30 PM
Trade and Craft in Medieval Dublin – A special Heritage Week-themed tour on trade and craft in medieval Dublin.
Venue: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Organiser: St Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre
Email: staudoenschurch@opw.ie
Telephone: 01 677 0088
Website: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/
Booking Required: No
Dates: 29th August 15:00 PM to 15:45 PM
Costumed Guided Tours at Dublinia – Travel back to Viking and Medieval Dublin, witness the sights, sounds and smells and unearth the city’s archaeology in the History Hunters exhibition!
Venue: Dublinia
Cost: Free
Organiser: Dublinia
Email: info@dublinia.ie
Telephone: 01-6794611
Website: http://www.dublinia.ie/
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 27th August 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM , 28th August 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM , 29th August 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM , 30th August 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Bell ringing tour – Tour of the belfry of the Cathedral followed by a short demonstration of the bells being rung. Booking is essential. Participants must be over 12 and without any mobility issues.
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: Free
Organiser: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
Telephone: 01-4539472
Website: http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/
Booking Required: Yes
Dates: 29th August 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM , 29th August 12:00 PM to 13:00 PM , 29th August 14:00 PM to 15:00 PM , 29th August 16:00 PM to 17:00 PM
Railway Library and Archives Open Day – Founded in 1946, the Society operates a Library and Archives dedicated to the study and operations of all aspects of railway history. Visitors can view our collections and small exhibits museum.
Venue: Irish Railway Record Society, Heuston Station, Dublin 8 (beside Car Park) Cost: Free
Organiser: Irish Railway Record Society Ltd.
Email: info@irrs.ie
Telephone: N/A
Website: http://www.irrs.ie/
Booking Required: No
Dates: 29th August 11:00 AM to 17:00 PM
All event information is subject to change. Please consult the www.heritageweek.ie website closer to the event for the latest updates – Document updated: August 26, 2015, 2:34 pm
