Things to Do for Heritage Week in County Kilkenny – 17th – 25th August 2019

The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week, which runs from Saturday 17th to Sunday 25th August, is “Pastimes, Past Times”. From Callan to Coon, and Gowran to Kells, there are events taking place throughout Kilkenny, and most events are free.

  • Build a round Tower
  • Sketch in the Gallery
  • Dig for archaeology
  • Photograph the City
  • Experience threshing
  • Meet the Gardener
  • Research your family tree
  • Learn to juggle
  • Visit the Barracks Museum
  • Hike a hill

Heritage Week is part of a Europe-wide initiative to raise awareness and appreciation of the heritage that surrounds us. National Heritage Week is Ireland’s most popular cultural event and in 2019 half a million people are expected to participate in over 2,200 heritage events, showing the interest that people have in their heritage.

Speaking at the launch of Kilkenny’s Heritage Week Programme, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Peter Cleere urges the people of Kilkenny to get involved “We are very lucky in Kilkenny to have such a rich heritage, and we are rightly proud of it. Heritage Week is a great opportunity to celebrate this, and I encourage everyone to get to at least one Heritage Week event“.

Cllr. Martin Brett, Mayor of Kilkenny, is also looking forward to Heritage Week saying “This is your opportunity to explore and learn more about Kilkenny’s heritage and help to conserve and preserve it for the future“.

To find out what’s happening in County Kilkenny and beyond, see “What’s on” at www.heritageweek.ie and listen in to KCLR LIVE each weekday morning during Heritage Week for interviews with event organisers from around the County. Copies of the National Heritage Week Event Brochure are also available in all Library branches and at County Hall.

According to Dearbhala Ledwidge, Heritage Officer, Kilkenny County Council “Heritage Week helps raise awareness about our heritage and gives everyone an opportunity to get involved, to learn more and have fun.” Dearbhala also encourages people to nominate a person, community or some aspect of our hidden heritage for the National Heritage Awards – a competition run by the Heritage Council which showcases the best of National Heritage Week. To find out more see https://www.heritageweek.ie/about/awards

Heritage Week is co-ordinated nationally by the Heritage Council, and in Kilkenny by the Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council.
For any queries about Kilkenny’s Heritage Week Programme contact: Dearbhala Ledwidge, Heritage Officer, Kilkenny County Council. Tel: 056 7794925. .