Register your 'Heritage Week' Events

Register your ‘Heritage Week’ Events

National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 18 to Sunday, August 26 this year.  The Heritage Council is encouraging people and organisations to get involved in National Heritage Week by organising an event in their town, village or community.  This year’s theme is ‘Share a Story, Make a Connection’ and encourages people to share heritage stories in new ways with new audiences.  Everyone from young people to new arrivals to Ireland to retired people is encouraged to get involved and share their stories.  On-line registration is now open and all events must be registered by Thursday, May 31 in order to be included in the free National Heritage Week Event Guide produced by The Heritage Council.  You can register your event by submitting the details on-line at www.heritageweek.ie  The County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council will also be producing its free, pocket-size County Donegal ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide that has proved so popular in recent years based on the information submitted to The Heritage Council. 

“Our cultural heritage belongs to everyone so we are encouraging everyone to get involved, to share a story and make a connection during Heritage Week” said Michael Parsons, Chairman of The Heritage Council.  “People of all ages will have ample opportunity to find out more about our nature, history and culture by taking part in tours, walks, talks, exhibitions, outdoor activities and much more. From wildlife boat tours to storytelling workshops for children, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Most Heritage Week events are family-friendly and free of charge so that our shared heritage can be accessed and appreciated by all.”  

“Heritage Week saw another record-breaking programme of events across County Donegal last year with 124 events registered for Heritage Week and most of them were free,” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.  “In fact, County Donegal has been the county with the most Heritage Week events per head of population in the country for the past number of years.  The tremendous success of Heritage Week lies with the many people, heritage organisations, museums, heritage centres and community groups that organise events – often on a voluntary basis – to focus attention on their local heritage.”

The Heritage Week events programme in 2018 will include built heritage open houses, guided walks, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, conferences, illustrated talks, historical re-enactments, birds of prey displays, whale watching, garden tours, traditional skills demonstrations, craft fairs, skills training, launch events, film screenings, storytelling, traditional music and children’s activities.  Two days during Heritage Week have a particular theme: Wednesday, August 22 is ‘Wild Child Day’ and celebrates young people’s exploration of, and interaction with, nature while Sunday, August 26 is ‘Water Heritage Day’ in recognition of our most precious natural resource – water – in all its forms.  Over 570,000 people will participate in over 2,000 Heritage Week events around the country. 

National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council and Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland.  The aim of National Heritage Week is to build heritage awareness and appreciation while shining a light on the great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve, conserve and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage. One of the highlights of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, this year’s Heritage Week will also include many activities which explore and celebrate connections with our European neighbours and promote a common sense of belonging.  The Heritage Council will promote Heritage Week nationally and provide organisers with materials including posters and a programme of events to promote their activities.  For further information, log on to www.heritageweek.ie, e-mail [email protected] or telephone 1850 200 878