‘100 years of Heritage’ is the main theme of Heritage Week 2016 with a record 94 events taking place around County Clare from August 20-28.
The 14th annual celebration of County Clare’s built, natural and cultural heritage is being coordinated locally by Clare County Council and The Heritage Council, with support from Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht. Heritage Week also is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union.
Clare County Council has confirmed that events taking place in venues around the County include lectures, field trips, film screenings, workshops, tours and exhibitions aimed at encouraging people to take an interest in their local heritage.
Among the events and activities is a Heritage Garden Day at Irish Seed Savers in Scariff, antique rock show at Doolin Cave, bat walk at Dromore Wood Nature Reserve, genealogy workshops for beginners, whale watching from Loop Head Lighthouse, and guided tours of Tomeen Cave in Tulla, Killaloe Cathedral, Mooghaun Hill Fort, the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre, Scattery Island in Kilrush, the Loop Head Heritage Trail and the OPW Ennis Friary.
The Centenary of the 1916 Rising is the central focus of a number of other Heritage Week events which include a lecture on an Irish Rebel Autograph Book from Frongoch Internment Camp, an audiovisual celebration of people from Clare involved in the 1916 Rising, and the airing of an RTE docudrama on the Easter Rising and War of Independence experiences of Michael Brennan (Commander of the East Clare Brigade) and Art O’Donnell, (Commander of the West Clare Brigade).
“Heritage Week serves as a reminder to the people of Clare of the wonderful heritage and history that surrounds them while it also introduces younger people to the wealth of local events, attractions and activities that both educate and entertain,” commented Cllr. Bill Chambers, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council.
Cllr. Chambers added, “A lot of work has gone into putting together a comprehensive programme of events for Heritage Week which is testament to the work being carried out by communities and individuals throughout Clare in promoting Clare’s rich heritage. Clare County Council and the organisers of the various events should be commended for the central role they play in conserving and protecting our heritage for future generations.”
“I would encourage everyone in Clare, both young and old, to visit www.heritageweek.ie to learn about the range of events taking place both in their own local community and elsewhere throughout the County”, said Congella McGuire, Clare Heritage Officer.
“This year’s Heritage Week programme offers a record 94 events which we hope will encourage the people of Clare to engage with the heritage of their county. In doing so, we hope to engender a greater sense of awareness and appreciation of Clare’s built and natural heritage, as well as a greater understanding of our shared cultural past,” added Ms. McGuire.
“In order to facilitate the needs of families it was decided once again to hold Heritage Week at the end of August so that parents could participate in the various events, many of which are outdoors, with their children before they return to school,” she concluded.
The Heritage Council is once again hosting the National Heritage Week Awards recognising the work of event organisers and volunteers taking part during Heritage Week 2015. Visit www.heritageweek.ie or contact 1850-200878 for more.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS BY AREA, HERITAGE WEEK 2016
WEST CLARE
All Week:
– Loop Head Heritage Trail Free Audio Guide – Discover the stories of the Loop Head Peninsula and the Wild Atlantic Way with a Free Audio Guide (www.abartaheritage.ie/product/loophead)
– Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre, Kilrush – Guided tour of the dolphin research and education centre (www.shannondolphins.ie)
– OPW Scattery Island Visitor Centre – Free Daily Tours of Scattery Island (www.heritageireland.ie)
– Vandeleur Walled Garden, Kilrush – Butterfly Hunt (info@vandeleurwalledgarden.ie / T: 065-905 1760)
Saturday 20 August
– Free Daily Tours of Scattery Island, Kilrush, (www.heritageireland.ie / 087 9958427)
– Scattery Island’s O’Cahane’s Castle – talk by Dr. John Treacy of the San Marcos Project Spanish Point 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm, (scatteryisland@opw.ie / 087 9958427)
Sunday 21 August
– Researching Bottle Nosed Dolphins in the Shannon Estuary – Vandeleur Walled Garden, Kilrush, 3pm-4.30pm (www.vandeleurwalledgarden.com / 065 9051760)
– Free Daily Tours of Scattery Island, 10am-5pm (scatteryisland@opw.ie / 087 9958427)
Monday 22 August
– Four Funerals and a Wedding – The Story of Kilkee’s graveyards at Sweeney Theatre, 7-8pm (cmcguire@clarecoco.ie / 065 6846408)
– Free Daily Tours of Scattery Island, 10am-5pm (scatteryisland@opw.ie / 087 9958427)
Tuesday 23 August
– Kilrush and District Historical Society outing to St. Senan’s Birthplace, Molougha, 6-9pm (www.kdhs.ie)
– Presentation on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel in Co. Clare, Kilrush Public Library, 7-9pm (cmcguire@clarecoco.ie / 065 6846408)
– Free Daily Tours of Scattery Island, 10am-5pm (scatteryisland@opw.ie / 087 9958427)
Wednesday 24 August
– Ten Lamb Chops for a Pound – talk by Maureen Sparling about life in her native Limerick City when she was a young girl, Kilkee Bay Hotel, 8-9.15pm (www.kilkeecivictrust.org / 065 9083814)
– The development journey of the Vandeleur Walled Garden from 1997 to 2016, Vandeleur Walled Garden, Kilrush, 5-6pm (www.vandeleurwalledgarden.com / 065 9051760)
Thursday 25 August
– The Heritage of Revolution – a talk by Oral Historian Dr. Tomás Mac Conmara at Teach Chéoil, (Old Church of Ireland), Kilrush, 8-9pm (kilrushhistoricalsociety@gmail.com / 087 2547230)
Friday 26 August
– “Garrett Barry to Willie Clancy” – Lecture by Howard Marshall at Áras OaC, Miltown Malbay, 8-10.30pm (www.oac.ie / eolas@oac.ie)
Saturday 27 August
– Whale Watch Day, Loop Head Lighthouse, 2-5pm (www.iwdg.ie / 086 8545450)
Sunday 28 August
– Scattery Island’s Holy Well walk and a talk with Author and Historian Michael Houlihan, 12-5pm (www.heritageireland.ie / 087 9958427)
– Open Day at Loop Head Lightkeeper’s House, 10am-4pm (caroline@irishlandmark.com / 01 6704733)
NORTH CLARE
All Week:
– An Exhibition of Doolin Heritage at Doolin Cave Cafe – Display of several photobooks pertaining to the history and heritage of the village of Doolin (doolincave@gmail.com / 065 7075761)
Saturday 20 August
– Natural Heritage at the Cliffs of Moher, Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, 10.00am – 5.00 pm (www.cliffsofmoher.ie / 065 7086141)
Sunday 21 August
– Mini Beast Hunt, Dromore Wood Nature Reserve, 12.30-2pm (coolepark@ahg.gov.ie / 085 8085199)
Monday 22 August
– Geopark Walk and Talk at Fanore Beach, 2-4pm (edoyle@clarecoco.ie / www.burrengeopark.ie)
Tuesday 23 August
– Walk & Talk Dysert O’Dea Monuments – Dysert O’Dea Castle, 7.30-9p (cmcguire@clarecoco.ie / 065 6846408)
– Antique Rock Show at Doolin Cave, 2-4pm (www.burrengeopark.ie / edoyle@clarecoco.ie)
Wednesday 24 August
– Geopark Walk and Talk at Fanore Beach, 2-4pm (edoyle@clarecoco.ie / www.burrengeopark.ie)
– Burren Adventure (for wheelchair users) leaving from St. Patrick’s Hall, Corofin (www.burrenbeo.com / 091 638096)
Thursday 25 August
– Bat walk at Dromore Wood Nature Reserve, 8.30-10.30pm (coolepark@ahg.gov.ie / 085 8085199)
Friday 26 August
– Flora, Fauna & Folklore guided walk of Kilshanny area (kilshannyhouse@gmail.com / 065 7071660)
– Geopark Walk and Talk – with geologist Dr. Eamon Doyle, Burren National Park, 2-4pm (www.burrengeopark.ie / edoyle@clarecoco.ie)
– Mulkere, Music & Musings at Kilshanny House, 8-11pm (www.kilshannyhouse.ie / 065 7071660)
Saturday 27 August
– Storytelling by Eddie Lenihan at The Celtic T-Shirt Shop, Lahinch 3-5pm (www.celtictshirts.ie / 065 7081564)
Sunday 28 August
– Open Day at Inchiquin House, 10am-4pm (www.irishlandmark.com / 01 6704733)
SHANNON & ENVIRONS
Tuesday, 23 August
– “Older than Ireland” Movie Showing at Health & Wellness Centre, Carrigoran, 11.30 am – 1.00 pm, (www.carrigoranhouse.ie)
Wednesday 24 August
– 10th Annual Clare Bat Talk & Walk, The Inn at Dromoland, 7.30-9pm (http://www.antaisce.org/local/clare / 086 3497946)
– “Older than Ireland” Movie Showing at Health & Wellness Centre, Carrigoran, 11.30 am – 1.00 pm, (www.carrigoranhouse.ie)
Thursday, 25 August
– “Older than Ireland” Movie Showing at Health & Wellness Centre, Carrigoran, 11.30 am – 1.00 pm, (www.carrigoranhouse.ie)
Saturday, 27 August
– Mooghaun Hill Fort Walk & Guided Tour, Newmarket on Fergus, 2-4pm (http://www.irelandxo.com/ireland/clare/tulla)
Sunday 28 August
– Heritage Day 2016 at Mooghaun Hillfort, Newmarket on Fergus, 12.30-5pm (www.obair.org / 061 368030)
EAST CLARE
Sunday 21 August
– Killaloe Cathedral and Boat Trip on Lough Derg, 1.00 pm -7.00pm (jamaica@iol.ie / www.clareheritage.org)
– Between the Waters, Family Fun Treasure Hunt on foot around Killaloe and Ballina, 2-4pm (www.feilebrianboru.com / 086 3586293)
Thursday 25 August
– A Century in Clare 1916-2016 – a presentation by Jackie Elger at Scarriff Public Library, 7.30-9pm (www.clarelibrary.ie / 061 922893)
Friday 26 August
– Tulla Courthouse – Tulla Weekend of the Welcomes (www.irelandxo.com/group/tulla-clare)
Saturday 27 August
– Tomeen Cave, Tulla – Guided tour by landowner to the renowned Tomeen Caves, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (harrisonlaura@eircom.net / T: 086-866 2615)
– Tulla Courthouse – Tulla Weekend of the Welcomes (www.irelandxo.com/group/tulla-clare)
– Genealogy Workshops for Beginners at Tulla Courthouse, 10-11.30am (http://www.irelandxo.com/ireland/clare/tulla)
Sunday 28 August
– Tomeen Cave, Tulla – Guided tour by landowner to the renowned Tomeen Caves, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (harrisonlaura@eircom.net / T: 086-866 2615)
– 12 O’Clock Hills Heritage Walk, commencing from Kilkishen Cultural Centre, 2-5pm (www.kilkishen.com / 087 9691415
– Heritage Garden Day at Irish Seed Savers, 12-4pm (www.irishseedsavers.ie / 061 921866)
– Tulla Courthouse – Tulla Weekend of the Welcomes (www.irelandxo.com/group/tulla-clare)
ENNIS & ENVIRONS
Sunday 21 August
– Guided tour and open day of the 13th century Franciscan Friary in Ennis, 10.30 am to 11.15 am (tour) and open day (10.00 am – 5.15 pm) (ennisfriary@opw.ie / 065 6829100)
– Family Fun Treasure Hunt at OPW Ennis Friary, Ennis, 12-4pm (www.heritageireland.ie / 065 6829100)
– Visit Ennis Friary, 10am-5.15pm (ennisfriary@opw.ie / 065 6829100)
Tuesday 23 August
– The Banner Rising – audiovisual celebration of people from Clare involved in the 1916 Rising, De Valera Public Library, 7-8pm (www.clarelibrary.ie / 065 6846353)
Wednesday 24 August
– ‘The Scroll of Ireland’s Fame’ – An Irish Rebel Autograph Book from Frongoch Internment Camp 1916 – a lecture by Oral Historian Dr. Tomás Mac Conmara at Clare Museum, 8-9pm (claremuseum@clarecoco.ie / 065 6823382)
Thursday 25 August
– Clarecastle Village Walk, 7-8.30pm (cartock@gmail.com / www.clarecastlecommunity.ie)
– 1916: Two Clare Lives, feat. Q&A session with the documentary makers at County Museum, 8-9pm (mccarthyrita99@gmail.com / 087 9731162)
Friday 26 August
– Archaeological and Historical tour of Newpark House, Ennis, 3-5pm (065 6821233)
– TVAS Being an Archaeologist, Clare Museum, 10am-12.30pm & 2-4.30pm (claremuseum@clarecoco.ie / 065 6823382)
Saturday 27 August
– Explore Ennis Friary through the burial tombs erected over six centuries, OPW Ennis Friary, 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm, (ennisfriary@opw.ie / T: 065 6829100)
– Guided tour and open day of the 13th century Franciscan Friary in Ennis, 10.30 am to 11.15 am (tour) and open day (10.00 am – 5.15 pm) (ennisfriary@opw.ie / 065 6829100)
– Art event for adults and teens at OPW Ennis Friary, 11am-12.30pm (ennisfriary@ops.ie)
Sunday 28 August
– Guided tour of the 13th century Franciscan Friary in Ennis, 10.30 am to 11.15 am (ennisfriary@opw.ie / 065 6829100)
– Church Music with the Schola Petra Fertile Choir at OPW Ennis Friary, 1-1.30pm (ennisfriary@opw.ie / 065 6829100)