‘It’s In Your Nature’ is the main theme of Heritage Week 2017 with a record 102 events taking place around County Clare from 19 August to 27 August.
The 15th 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 Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The annual initiative is Ireland’s most popular cultural event and this year over 450,000 people nationwide are expected to participate in over 2,000 events aimed at encouraging people to take an interest in their local heritage.
Clare County Council has confirmed that local events taking place include lectures, field trips, film screenings, workshops, exhibitions historical re-enactments, and local history walks and talks.
Among the events and activities is a talk and walk in Shannon on the Birds of the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries, a tour of The Toomeens cave system in Tulla, a presentation by Duncan Stewart at Irish Seed Savers in Scariff, a boat trip to meet Europe’s largest resident group of bottlenose dolphins,10km Guided Heritage Walk along the Clare Way, a presentation on the history of Doolin, a tour of Inchiquin House in Corofin, and a talk and tour of the Napoleonic Gun Battery on Scattery Island.
Cllr. Tom McNamara, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said 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.”
“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,” he added. “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.”