Commences on Saturday 23rd August and runs until Sunday 31st August.
This year is packed full of exciting events all across the county all of which celebrate Kildare’s rich and varied heritage. Heritage Week 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 and increasing interest in our shared heritage.
As 2014 is the UN 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family the Theme of National Heritage Week 2014 is “Generations exploring heritage together’. National Heritage Week is a wonderful platform for families to come together to get involved in a wide range of activities as a family. This year we want to encourage families, young and old, to get out and connect with the heritage that is ingrained in all of us.
“The wide range of heritage events organised primarily by community groups and local history groups across the county demonstrates a great pride and growing awareness of Kildare’s heritage” said Bridget Loughlin, County Kildare Heritage Officer, “with over 80 events being ran throughout the week ranging from an Opera in the magnificent main Entrance Hall, Castletown, a tour of the Castle at Clongowes Wood, tours of the Alymer Tower on the Hill of Allen, a slide show about the heritage of Lullymore in Lullymore Nature centre and Traditional Irish Breads Demonstrations, it looks to be a very exciting and enlightening Heritage Week 2014”.
Castletown House will host many events including a Country Market, a tour of the Berkeley 18th/19th century Costume and Toy exhibition, tours of the House and Parkland and a display of the history of beekeeping in Kildare in the last century.
There are a number of events commemorating Kildare’s involvement in World War 1 such as a commemorative concert to remember the men from Kilcullen and District who went to the Great War in Kilcullen Heritage Centre “Our Unfortunate Sons”, Kill Local History group will host a talk “Kildare men in the First World War”, Maynooth College have prepared an exhibition at the Russell Library of documents, photographs and memorabilia relating to Maynooth College during World War 1 and James Durney- local author will give a talk “Kildare: In Time of War, 1914 – 1918” in a number of libraries in the county.
A number of child friendly events are being held throughout the county including a series series of fun events and activities aimed at children of primary school age, exploring Kildare's natural heritage, child focused tours of Castletown House and the residence of Nicholastown Green Kilcullen have organised a talk on the nature of Nicholastown Green with a treasure hunt, and Children’s nature quiz.
Clane Tidy Towns have organised sunset walk to explore the “wild” side of Clane. Naas Tidy Towns will host a guided walk through the biodiversity of DeBurghs Estate. The Kildare Bat group will lead two Bat walks- Derrybeg community farm Celbridge and Athy. Michael Jacbo will lead Kildoon Community Group Nurney on a tour of Kildoon Woods.
Many proprieties in private ownership are open during heritage week such as Moyglare Glebe, Celbridge Lodge, Tea Lane Graveyard and the Landmark Trust will host an open day at the Round House and Batty Langley Lodge at Castletown, Celbridge.
Heritage sites within the county, such as the Athy and Kildare Heritage Centre, The National Stud and Maynooth Castle have special concessions during the week.
To celebrate heritage Week 2014 the Heritage Council is inviting participants to take place in two national events, National Heritage Week Photography Competition and Heritage Week Competition. Details of how to enter both competitions can be obtained from the Heritage Week website details below.
Kildare County Council has compiled a listing of these and the many other events happening around the County. These are available on www.kildare.ie and in all local libraries. To view a listing of Heritage Week events in other counties please go to www.heritageweek.ie or call 1850 200 978.
