Tours at Castletown House and Maynooth Castle included in Kildare itinary for National Heritage Week

Tours at Castletown House and Maynooth Castle are included in the Office of Public Works' (OPW’s) immersive programme of over 80 events nationwide for National Heritage week.

The OPW announced its biggest ever programme for the week, which runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 August. Events at Castletown Estate and Maynooth Castle are included in the OPW’s programme, which features more than 80 workshops, talks, tours, demonstrations, and experiences taking place at more than 70 OPW historic sites around the country.

National Heritage Week is an initiative from the Heritage Council, which celebrates Ireland’s natural, built, and cultural heritage.

The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Living Heritage’, which encompasses the rituals, traditions and knowledge passed from generation to generation which over time define a community’s culture and history.

To help make the intangible tangible, many OPW sites are putting Irish rituals, traditions, and crafts at the heart of an 80+-strong event programme, with something for children and adults alike.

Rosemary Collier, OPW Head of Heritage and Capital Works Delivery said: “At OPW, we work all year round to protect the built and natural heritage in our care and to provide the public with access to breathtaking sites, immersive tours and experiences, including historic houses, gardens, castles, and estates. This Heritage Week, we look beyond the physical artefacts and structures we preserve to the rich tapestry of rituals, crafts and traditions that tell the story of Ireland’s ancient heritage. With ‘living heritage’, the Heritage Council has created a powerful theme to bring the living and lived aspects of heritage to life.

“There is truly something for everyone this National Heritage Week across more than 70 OPW heritage sites nationwide. We hope that the public take full advantage of the range of creative, immersive, and imaginative events on offer for all ages.”

Highlights of OPW’s Events Programme include:

- Try your hand at basket weaving with a visit to the stable wing at Castletown House in Celbridge. Join a hands-on workshop using willow sourced directly from the estate.
- Follow in the footsteps of the turf cutter on ‘The Humble Sod’ tour. Learn about the ancient practices of turf-cutting with a scéan at Castletown House.
- Scratch below the surface with the copper plate printing workshop at Castletown House. Explore the intricate techniques of this fascinating craft and marvel at the symmetry of Lady Louisa’s Print Room.
- Step into the story of Silken Thomas the 10th Earl of Kildare at a series of heritage talks and tours at Maynooth Castle. Listen to stories of rebellion, medieval medicine and ancient artwork.

As in previous years, the OPW is also offering free admission on the first Saturday of Heritage Week, 12 August, to all OPW sites that are normally fee-paying.

OPW’s programme of events can be found as part of the Heritage Council’s full calendar for National Heritage Week available here: https://www.heritageweek.ie/ event-listings?q=opw#listings as well as on Heritage Ireland: https://heritageireland.ie/ whats-on/ .