Two Carlow groups win national heritage awards

TWO CO Carlow heritage groups were honoured at the recent National Heritage Week awards ceremony, which took place at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

St Mullins Heritage and Tourism Group and Friends of Columbanus Myshall were both runners-up in their categories and were recognised for their enormous contribution to their local communities. The St Mullins Heritage and Tourism Group was runner-up in the Wild Child Event Award. The group organised a lively educational event to engage local children with the rich built and cultural heritage of St Mullins, in particular, St Moling and his transformative impact on the area.

Archaeologist Seamus Ó Murchú led site tours, explaining the history and significance of each landmark, while local parents dressed up as Viking raiders to illustrate tales of past invasions. The children enjoyed ice-cream afterwards and the evening concluded with a film on traditional pattern days and stories from Drummin Bog, leaving attendees with a deeper connection to the landscape and its stories.

Friends of Columbanus Myshall were runners-up in the Connections, Routes and Networks Award. They ran an event to celebrate the early Myshall-born medieval saint Columbanus. Their event saw a series of socio-cultural, cross-community walking tours along the historic Columban Way, connecting towns and villages from Co Carlow to Bangor, Co Down.

Over five days, local community organisations in places such as Myshall, Borris and Carlow town shared their unique heritage with walkers and neighbouring communities, fostering connections through shared stories and local history.

The National Heritage Awards recognise the enormous contribution of individuals and community groups across Ireland in ensuring the preservation, protection and promotion of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage.