Wide range of events to celebrate Heritage Week in Carlow

BEAUTIFUL Borris House was the appropriate setting for the launch of this year’s Heritage Week in Carlow, which runs until Sunday 23 August.

Cathaoirleach of Carlow Co Council Thomas Kinsella praised the event organisers who put together an estimated 30 scheduled events for the history-rich week. The theme this year is Heritage at risk and addresses all aspects of heritage, built, natural/biodiversity, cultural and climate change. Among those attending the launch were groups that have secured funding under the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Fund and heritage consultants that engage with communities through heritage projects organised by Carlow Heritage Office.

Cllr Kinsella thanked the community groups for their work in securing funding, namely Carlow Older Persons’ Forum for their oral history project, Ardattin Community Group, looking at the conservation of their community hall, and Rathvilly Heritage Interest Group, looking at research and access to St Patrick’s Well, Rathvilly.

Niamh Shannon of Carlow Heritage Office said the location of the launch was appropriate, as there were free coaches to the beautiful Borris House, along with Sherwood Park House near Ballon. Heritage officer at Carlow Co Council Eoin Sullivan pointed out the many collaborations taking place for Heritage Week, with novel events such as heritage photo orienteering in Tullow with Active Carlow, a lecture on the Kehoe papers with county archivist Louise Kennedy, events on biodiversity with biodiversity officer Shane Casey, a multitude of events and workshops with Carlow County Library Service, and the ever-popular ‘big dig’ with Carlow County Museum.

The organisers encourage people to keep an eye on the Heritage Week website to see what events are taking place and any amendments that may be required as the week progresses.

For full details and any necessary alterations to events, people should refer to www.heritageweek.ie.