National Heritage Week kicks off in Kildare this weekend with free events

The hidden gems and the forgotten people of Clane, tours of Kildrought House in Celbridge, stories from the lost library of Maynooth Castle and a nature walk with Dúlra Cill Dara are among the many free events taking place across Kildare during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday August 17 to Sunday August 25.

Local heritage groups and organisers, families, communities and individuals in Kildare have responded to this year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ by organising events showcasing the best of what Kildare’s local heritage has to offer. Well over 2,000 events will take place nationwide with a full list available on the National Heritage Week website.

Coordinated by the Heritage Council, some other highlights from this year’s National Heritage Week programme in Kildare also include:

‘Painting with Paper’ Collage and mixed media workshop for children, Naas Library and Cultural Centre (20 August, 2pm to 3pm) - Join artist Liza Kavanagh for some drawing, sticking and cutting fun as she explores making streetscape pictures with a range of papers and fabrics.

Tunnels from Tintown, at Harbor View, Naas (August 22, 11.30am to 12.30 pm) - A short presentation will explore the connections, networks and routes that played a part in the story of the Curragh Internment Camps.

Walk and talk along the banks of the Grand Canal at Allenwood, starting at the picnic area by the petrol station in Allenwood (19 August, 6.30pm to 7.45pm) - Enjoy a guided walk along the Grand Canal at Allenwood towards Lowton exploring the history and biodiversity of this route travelled.

Forest School Wild Child Day, Donadea (24 August, 10am to 3pm) - Growing Wild are hosting a ‘Day in the Wild’ for children ages 5-13 years old. Based at Donadea, Co. Kildare, the children will get a chance to experience a Forest School themed session, which allows children connect to nature through child led play.

Commenting, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said, “Browsing through the over 2,000 events taking place during National Heritage Week this year gives a sense of the shear variety and colour of our nation’s heritage – they cover nature, culture, music, traditions, folklore, writing, history, architecture, archaeology, archives and so much more. It is also a sign of the strength of the sector, the depth of knowledge people have and their generosity in sharing that knowledge. Many of the events are volunteer led, organised by dedicated people who seek no recompense or adulation. We must never take these people for granted and I will continue unapologetically to mention them at every opportunity, such is their importance not only to National Hertiage Week, but to the preservation of Irish heritage in general.”

Two themed days will take place during National Heritage Week. On Saturday August 24, Wild Child Day encourages children and families to explore the heritage in their locality. On Sunday, August 25, the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme invite people to explore National Heritage Week projects that celebrate water and our connections with it.