Latest news with #SamanthaLibreri
RTÉ News
21 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Here are some of Heritage Week's 2,347 events you should check out
Analysis: Heritage Week must-sees include Claddagh rings, medieval armoury, urban walking tours, soda bread and scything championships Here we go again! It's National Heritage Week, that glorious week of the year eagerly anticipated by enthusiasts of Irish history and heritage like myself. Organised by the Heritage Council, the week celebrates all things heritage with a variety of events around the island of Ireland that brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage. It's a testament to the level of interest that the week has grown greatly since since the Heritage Council assumed responsibility for it in 2005. The week from August 16th to 24th offers everyone a chance to engage with heritage. Heritage fosters community identity, is central to our tourism industry and plays an important role in wellbeing. Even those who have not had an opportunity to formally study history can find their imaginations ignited by heritage. Events are in plain English, are very accessible and welcome for all. The fact that National Heritage Week takes place in the final peak boredom weeks of the school summer holidays, with many child-friendly free events, allows parents to introduce their children to heritage in an affordable way (most of the events are free). From RTÉ Archives, Samantha Libreri reports for RTÉ News on people take part in 'Digging History' at Swords Castle during Heritage Week 2015 Much of National Heritage Week is dependent to a large extent on the work and enthusiasm of volunteers and local heritage groups. These people are passionate about our heritage and willing to offer their own invaluable time and expertise for free. They should be applauded for their efforts. As always my chief complaint is that it is just not long enough: a fortnight, or even a month, would be more appropriate to celebrate the heritage of a country steeped in such vast history and tradition. At the time of writing, there are an eye-watering 2,347 listings on the website. These are my personal picks of events and I've tried to pick a range as widely dispersed around the country as possible. You can make your own list by using the What's On tab on the Heritage Week website to filter events by county and 'hearting' an event you like to keep your choices together. For heritage lovers, it's a bit like getting the highlighting pen out for the Christmas RTE Guide! As I said, the majority of the events are free, but some are not and it is worth checking this beforehand. Some may involve pre booking to attend so do check the details of each via the website. Happy Heritage Week! Holy wells in Roscommon, Galway, Cork and Carlow With around 3,000 holy wells dotted around Ireland one would expect many events listed for heritage week on that topic, and there are. A documentary screening of Echoes of Faith: The Holy Wells of West Cork in Bantry highlights the importance of west Cork's holy wells, while in Carlow a lecture with Dr. Bruce Misstear will explore the hydrology of holy wells, There are exhibitions of holy wells in Galway and Roscommon. 18th century architecture in Limerick and Dublin If you have not yet been to the Casino in Marino in person, then why not? It is an absolute delight to experience this beautiful building in real life and it is an icon of Irish neoclassical architectural design. For Heritage Week, a special tour offers an in-depth exploration of how the Classical civilisations of Greece and Rome influenced the design of the Casino. If that has whetted your appetite for all things neoclassical, a tour of the interior of Rathfarnham Castle shows how Sir William Chambers and James 'Athenian' Stuart transformed the design of the building to make it one of the most elegant houses in the country. Meanwhile, the Limerick chapter of the Irish Georgian Society are going subterranean and organising a walking tour of the vaults and cellars of Limerick city. From RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show, National Museum curator and RTÉ Brainstorm contributor Siobhán Doyle discusses the Harry Clarke exhibition Harry Clarke in Mayo, Cork and Dublin As an art historian, I have never met a person who did not love the ethereal work of the Irish stained glass artist Harry Clarke. For enthusiasts of stained glass and Clarke's work, there are a number of events listed for National Heritage Week. In Skibbereen, there will be a documentary screening celebrating Clarke's work in west Cork, while there will be a stained glass making demo, and a Harry Clarke talk and book launch in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For those in The Pale who do not wish to venture west, there is a tour of the National Museum of Ireland (Collins Barracks) which will take in the new Harry Clarke exhibition. Urban centres and working class lives in Belfast and Dublin It is refreshing to see urban working class past lives prominent during National Heritage Week, and two events in Dublin highlight the role of the Northside of the city in shaping modern Ireland. One walking tour offers an immersive journey through the history of the city's tenement buildings, while another shows how changing political, economic and or social changes left their mark on Dublin's Northside over the centuries. A talk by ANU co-founder Louise Lowe will discuss that theatre company's creative approach to partnering with Dublin Port to create a series of historically grounded performances exploring themes of labour, conflict, memory, and identity. Serving as a reminder of our shared all-island heritage, a walking tour of Belfast's hidden history explores how that city developed over the last eight centuries. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Heritage Director at Dublin Port Company Lar Joyce on how the rich 300 year history of Dublin Port has been mapped for the first time as part of a new conservation study Traditional Irish food in Tipperary, Roscommon, Carlow and Dublin Two events in Tipperary highlight traditional Irish food: a talk by Terry Cunningham explores Irish food history including ancient farming and feasting traditions, while Peter Ward talks of Irish cuisine with an honourable mention given to Irish soda bread. The annual Farming Rathcroghan conference's theme this year is 'Food for Thought' and looks at many aspects of food in Ireland from an historical, archaeological, folklore, heritage, feast and famine perspective with a range of expert speakers. If you have junior foodies, you might consider bringing them along to a traditional butter and jam making event in Carlow. Meanwhile in Dublin, you can attend a food history themed talk alongside a new food market in the grounds of Swords Castle or an event at the National Library that looks at old culinary recipes featuring some less popular ingredients, not as commonly used today . Old Irish harvest traditions in Monaghan, Kilkenny and Sligo As we are well into August - the beginning of the harvest in Irish tradition - some events explore techniques, tools and customs of this time once so important to rural life. In Kilkenny an event looks at the sustainable use and repair of scythes, once ubiquitous to the harvest and now no longer in common use. This takes place alongside the national scything championships - if you need an explanation, there is an introduction to scything in Monaghan. There are also seasonal 'harvest knots' workshops in Sligo and Ballymote libraries, showcasing how to make these charming lapel decorations, once associated with romance during harvest time in Ireland. Ceramics in Clare, Mayo and Laois There are not huge differences between ancient and contemporary pottery in terms of materials and techniques and some workshops during heritage week aim to show this. One in Clare shows how to build and decorate your own clay pot, another workshop in Mayo explores the art of making traditional Irish-inspired vessels and a similar workshop in Laois is aimed at getting children involved. Warriors and weapons in Offaly, Meath and Cork With the 30th anniversary of Braveheart in the news recently, what better excuse for fans to reacquaint themselves with Trim Castle? This is where some of the film was shot and where there is a medieval armoury display for Heritage Week. On a similar theme, the romantic ruins of Clonmacnoise evoke not only our monastic heritage but provide an appropriate setting for a talk on how the site played host to agitation, propaganda battles, burial and commemoration through the ages. To commemorate one of our greatest warriors, the wonderful Michael Collins' House Museum in Clonakilty has free admission to mark the anniversary of his death on August 22nd. Neolithic archaeology in Sligo Sligo is fast becoming acknowledged as the neolithic capital of Ireland with the growing awareness of the important monuments there, thanks to the ongoing UNESCO World Heritage bid for the Passage Tomb Landscape of the county. A tour and talk at Carrowmore OPW neolithic site will explore how many of these passage tombs were constructed, with a focus on their dolmen capstones. Carrowmore is also offering a 'Big Dig' archaeology event for children this year. The Claddagh ring in Galway The team at the wonderful Galway City Museum have followed this year's theme "Exploring our Foundations" by having a special tour, which begins with the origins of the city and then focuses on an important object in their collections. The museum is home to the oldest known Claddagh ring, which was made by Galway goldsmith Richard Joyce around the 18th century. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the museum's collections and find out more about an iconic Irish design synonymous with Galway and known the world over.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Here are some of Heritage Week's 2,114 events you should check out
Analysis: Heritage Week must-sees include Claddagh rings, medieval armoury, urban walking tours, soda bread and scything championships Here we go again! It's National Heritage Week, that glorious week of the year eagerly anticipated by enthusiasts of Irish history and heritage like myself. Organised by the Heritage Council, the week celebrates all things heritage with a variety of events around the island of Ireland that brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage. It's a testament to the level of interest that the week has grown greatly since since the Heritage Council assumed responsibility for it in 2005. The week from August 16th to 24th offers everyone a chance to engage with heritage. Heritage fosters community identity, is central to our tourism industry and plays an important role in wellbeing. Even those who have not had an opportunity to formally study history can find their imaginations ignited by heritage. Events are in plain English, are very accessible and welcome for all. The fact that National Heritage Week takes place in the final peak boredom weeks of the school summer holidays, with many child-friendly free events, allows parents to introduce their children to heritage in an affordable way (most of the events are free). From RTÉ Archives, Samantha Libreri reports for RTÉ News on people take part in 'Digging History' at Swords Castle during Heritage Week 2015 Much of National Heritage Week is dependent to a large extent on the work and enthusiasm of volunteers and local heritage groups. These people are passionate about our heritage and willing to offer their own invaluable time and expertise for free. They should be applauded for their efforts. As always my chief complaint is that it is just not long enough: a fortnight, or even a month, would be more appropriate to celebrate the heritage of a country steeped in such vast history and tradition. At the time of writing, there are an eye-watering 2,114 listings on the website. These are my personal picks of events and I've tried to pick a range as widely dispersed around the country as possible. You can make your own list by using the What's On tab on the Heritage Week website to filter events by county and 'hearting' an event you like to keep your choices together. For heritage lovers, it's a bit like getting the highlighting pen out for the Christmas RTE Guide! As I said, the majority of the events are free, but some are not and it is worth checking this beforehand. Some may involve pre booking to attend so do check the details of each via the website. Happy Heritage Week! Holy wells in Roscommon, Galway, Cork and Carlow With around 3,000 holy wells dotted around Ireland one would expect many events listed for heritage week on that topic, and there are. A documentary screening of Echoes of Faith: The Holy Wells of West Cork in Bantry highlights the importance of west Cork's holy wells, while in Carlow a lecture with Dr. Bruce Misstear will explore the hydrology of holy wells, There are exhibitions of holy wells in Galway and Roscommon. 18th century architecture in Limerick and Dublin If you have not yet been to the Casino in Marino in person, then why not? It is an absolute delight to experience this beautiful building in real life and it is an icon of Irish neoclassical architectural design. For Heritage Week, a special tour offers an in-depth exploration of how the Classical civilisations of Greece and Rome influenced the design of the Casino. If that has whetted your appetite for all things neoclassical, a tour of the interior of Rathfarnham Castle shows how Sir William Chambers and James 'Athenian' Stuart transformed the design of the building to make it one of the most elegant houses in the country. Meanwhile, the Limerick chapter of the Irish Georgian Society are going subterranean and organising a walking tour of the vaults and cellars of Limerick city. From RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show, National Museum curator and RTÉ Brainstorm contributor Siobhán Doyle discusses the Harry Clarke exhibition Harry Clarke in Mayo, Cork and Dublin As an art historian, I have never met a person who did not love the ethereal work of the Irish stained glass artist Harry Clarke. For enthusiasts of stained glass and Clarke's work, there are a number of events listed for National Heritage Week. In Skibbereen, there will be a documentary screening celebrating Clarke's work in west Cork, while there will be a stained glass making demo, and a Harry Clarke talk and book launch in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For those in The Pale who do not wish to venture west, there is a tour of the National Museum of Ireland (Collins Barracks) which will take in the new Harry Clarke exhibition. Urban centres and working class lives in Belfast and Dublin It is refreshing to see urban working class past lives prominent during National Heritage Week, and two events in Dublin highlight the role of the Northside of the city in shaping modern Ireland. One walking tour offers an immersive journey through the history of the city's tenement buildings, while another shows how changing political, economic and or social changes left their mark on Dublin's Northside over the centuries. A talk by ANU co-founder Louise Lowe will discuss that theatre company's creative approach to partnering with Dublin Port to create a series of historically grounded performances exploring themes of labour, conflict, memory, and identity. Serving as a reminder of our shared all-island heritage, a walking tour of Belfast's hidden history explores how that city developed over the last eight centuries. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Heritage Director at Dublin Port Company Lar Joyce on how the rich 300 year history of Dublin Port has been mapped for the first time as part of a new conservation study Traditional Irish food in Tipperary, Roscommon, Carlow and Dublin Two events in Tipperary highlight traditional Irish food: a talk by Terry Cunningham explores Irish food history including ancient farming and feasting traditions, while Peter Ward talks of Irish cuisine with an honourable mention given to Irish soda bread. The annual Farming Rathcroghan conference's theme this year is 'Food for Thought' and looks at many aspects of food in Ireland from an historical, archaeological, folklore, heritage, feast and famine perspective with a range of expert speakers. If you have junior foodies, you might consider bringing them along to a traditional butter and jam making event in Carlow. Meanwhile in Dublin, you can attend a food history themed talk alongside a new food market in the grounds of Swords Castle or an event at the National Library that looks at old culinary recipes featuring some less popular ingredients, not as commonly used today . Old Irish harvest traditions in Monaghan, Kilkenny and Sligo As we are well into August - the beginning of the harvest in Irish tradition - some events explore techniques, tools and customs of this time once so important to rural life. In Kilkenny an event looks at the sustainable use and repair of scythes, once ubiquitous to the harvest and now no longer in common use. This takes place alongside the national scything championships - if you need an explanation, there is an introduction to scything in Monaghan. There are also seasonal 'harvest knots' workshops in Sligo and Ballymore libraries, showcasing how to make these charming lapel decorations, once associated with romance during harvest time in Ireland. Ceramics in Clare, Mayo and Laois There are not huge differences between ancient and contemporary pottery in terms of materials and techniques and some workshops during heritage week aim to show this. One in Clare shows how to build and decorate your own clay pot, another workshop in Mayo explores the art of making traditional Irish-inspired vessels and a similar workshop in Laois is aimed at getting children involved. Warriors and weapons in Offaly, Meath and Cork With the 30th anniversary of Braveheart in the news recently, what better excuse for fans to reacquaint themselves with Trim Castle? This is where some of the film was shot and where there is a medieval armoury display for Heritage Week. On a similar theme, the romantic ruins of Clonmacnoise evoke not only our monastic heritage but provide an appropriate setting for a talk on how the site played host to agitation, propaganda battles, burial and commemoration through the ages. To commemorate one of our greatest warriors, the wonderful Michael Collins' House Museum in Clonakilty has free admission to mark the anniversary of his death on August 22nd. Neolithic archaeology in Sligo Sligo is fast becoming acknowledged as the neolithic capital of Ireland with the growing awareness of the important monuments there, thanks to the ongoing UNESCO World Heritage bid for the Passage Tomb Landscape of the county. A tour and talk at Carrowmore OPW neolithic site will explore how many of these passage tombs were constructed, with a focus on their dolmen capstones. Carrowmore is also offering a 'Big Dig' archaeology event for children this year. The Claddagh ring in Galway The team at the wonderful Galway City Museum have followed this year's theme "Exploring our Foundations" by having a special tour, which begins with the origins of the city and then focuses on an important object in their collections. The museum is home to the oldest known Claddagh ring, which was made by Galway goldsmith Richard Joyce around the 18th century. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the museum's collections and find out more about an iconic Irish design synonymous with Galway and known the world over.
