From Saturday, 17 August to Sunday, 25 August, the Office of Public Works (OPW) will host its largest-ever events programme, with more than 100 events taking place at heritage sites across Ireland. This jam-packed schedule is part of National Heritage Week, an initiative of the Heritage Council, which has become one of the country’s largest annual cultural events. A full listing of the week’s events can be found at heritageweek.ie.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
All OPW-run heritage sites will offer free admission on Saturday, 17 August and Sunday, 18 August, the opening weekend of National Heritage Week.
The OPW cares for 780 heritage sites in Ireland, including national monuments, archaeological sites, buildings, historic parks and gardens. National Heritage Week, along with the OPW’s heritage services, seeks to foster greater interest in Ireland’s heritage, while encouraging inclusion and community engagement. This year’s theme is “Connections, Routes and Networks“.
>>> READ MORE: Embracing connections for National Heritage Week 2024
Highlights of the OPW’s National Heritage Week programme
- Free admission: Free admission will be offered on 17 and 18 August to all fee-paying OPW sites (excluding Kilmainham Gaol Museum); this includes over 80 heritage sites. A list of OPW-run heritage sites can be found at heritageireland.ie.
- Local Link to the Past: Using your Local Link ticket, gain free entry to participating sites on the Local Link network, including Glendalough monastic site and visitor centre, Clonmacnoise monastic site and visitor centre, Portumna Castle and gardens, Battle of the Boyne visitor centre, Oldbridge Estate, Carrowmore megalithic cemetery, Sligo Abbey, Donegal Castle, Charles Fort, Ennis Friary and Ionad an Bhlascaoid (Blasket Centre).
- Rock of Cashel: Dr Louise Nugent will present a talk on medieval pilgrimage in Tipperary.
- Sligo Abbey: Acclaimed author Anne Chambers will discuss the life of Eleanor, Countess of Desmond (1545–1639), at Sligo Abbey. Eleanor was an important figure during a time of profound social and political upheaval. This year, the abbey commemorates the 400th anniversary of her burial monument.
- Casino Marino: Casino Marino and the Marino Residents’ Association will host walking tours and an exhibition celebrating 100 years of Dublin Corporation’s first large-scale suburban development in what was once Lord Charlemont’s demesne.
- Irish language events: Events will be held at Dublin Castle, Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham Castle and the Rock of Cashel.
- National Botanic Gardens: The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin will present “Stories from the Gardens”, a community-generated exhibition showcasing the memories of visitors and staff.
Sign up to our newsletter
Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Services and Capital Works Delivery, commented:
“This year’s National Heritage Week theme, Connections, Routes and Networks, provides an ideal opportunity to highlight deep-rooted connections between OPW Heritage Ireland sites across Ireland.
In planning events, we have approached the theme from a number of perspectives, including community, biodiversity and navigation.
Our sites offer a rich tapestry of crafts and traditions that tell the story of the connections between our people, heritage, communities and culture. With more than 100 events taking place across [the] country, and our free admission days on 17 and 18 August, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.”
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Speaking at the OPW launch of National Heritage Week, Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, said:
“We are delighted to offer free admission to OPW heritage sites on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August… Our free admission days allow greater numbers of visitors to connect with our past and hopefully gain a deeper appreciation of the breadth and variety of sites cared for by the OPW. Clonmacnoise monastic site ties in perfectly with the theme [“Connections, Routes and Networks”]. St Ciarán founded the monastery at this particular location due to its connections. It is accessible over roads but also via the River Shannon. A centre of learning, it became a university of its time, with a network of students all over Europe.”
Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, added:
“Heritage Week is a fantastic festival of events, where everyone from big organizations to small voluntary community groups come together to make significant contributions to the celebration of our national heritage. We have shared an excellent partnership with [the] OPW over many years, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome the largest ever programme of events at OPW heritage sites.”
National Heritage Week will run from 17 August to 25 August. For further details and a complete list of events, visit heritageweek.ie.
Sign up to our newsletter
Subscribe to the Irish Heritage News newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and Threads for all the latest heritage stories.
READ NOW
➤ James B. Connolly: first modern Olympic champion and son of Irish emigrants
➤ Michael Collins Centre acquires personal belongings of Squad member Tom Kehoe
➤ Moravian village of Gracehill in Antrim gains UNESCO World Heritage Status
➤ Life behind bars in Sligo Gaol
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
