Council says thanks at Heritage Week launch

Carlow’s heritage officer Eoin Sullivan described last week’s launch of the county’s upcoming Heritage Week (17–25 August) as an opportunity to “pay forward the thanks”. 

Organisers, community groups, heritage consultants and public representatives gathered at Carlow’s town hall to look ahead to an extensive week-long programme of free events and activities. 

Speaking at the launch, county council cathaoirleach Fergal Browne praised the commitment of the event organisers, highlighting communities across Carlow as the “lifeblood” of Heritage Week. “Their energy and enthusiasm drive heritage in the county, through their funded and voluntary projects and highlighting national events such as Heritage Week,” he said. 

The theme this year is ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’. A key feature locally will be a special day-long celebration of John Tyndall on 19 August in Leighlinbridge, incorporating children- centred workshops with the Tyndall Institute, an afternoon walk from Leighlinbridge to Ballinabranna and an evening event with the Carlow Little Theatre and a recital of Gráinne Mulvey’s Tyndall-inspired compositions in the Lord Bagenal Hotel. 

Heritage enthusiasts can also look forward to outdoor trad sessions, guided tours of towns and villages, the results of the Carlow swift survey and lots more, including the heritage of Kildavin as told by the Cranavane Holy Well Committee through song, music, prose and film. Carlow will also celebrate what Eoin calls ‘wild child day’ with a treasure hunt, while ‘water heritage day’ will highlight how the rivers connect the Blackstairs Mountains to the wider Leinster landscape. 

More information about the array of events can be found at heritageweek.ie.