Southsiders urged to check out free winter programme of events

SOUTHSIDERS have been urged to get out and about and explore the local heritage of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, free of charge.

Local TD and Minister for Culture, Heritage, & the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, officially launched the free DLR Heritage Winter Programme 2019 in Marlay House last week. The programme runs until the beginning of March.

 The Winter of Heritage event is part of a series of free guided tours run by the Heritage Office of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. They are suitable for schools, students, families, community groups, active retired, historic groups, and tourists interested in local heritage.

 Minister Madigan said: “Our local heritage is so important to explore and commemorate and I am delighted to launch the DLR Winter Heritage Programme here in Marlay House.

“The programme includes numerous free events and talks in many of the prominent heritage sites in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, including the fabulous Marlay House itself.

 “Between January and March, numerous free talks and tours will take place in historic structures, sites and museums. I know that many people have never seen the inside of our local heritage structures, despite maybe seeing them from the outside on a regular basis. Now is a chance to explore these buildings and to learn about our local history.”

Minister Madigan added: “I encourage people to explore the DLR Heritage website to find out what events are happening or to have a look at the DLR Heritage Programme booklet.”

 Minister Madigan also encouraged people to make their views known on Ireland’s national heritage.

“My department has launched a public consultation on Heritage Ireland 2030, looking for people’s views on Ireland’s built and natural heritage. This consultation runs until the end of February and will include public information events. More details on these events and how to submit your views can be found on the Heritage Ireland 2030 website.”

The Winter of Heritage programme of events takes in the National Maritime Museum who said they are delighted to participate.

The museum is housed in Dún Laoghaire’s 180-year-old Mariners Church, opposite the dlr Lexicon.

There, experienced guides will bring you on a voyage of discovery enthralling you with stories of discovery, heroism, war and disasters at sea.

You will learn about maritime history, exploration, navigation, radio, deep-sea cable technology, nature and art inspired by the sea and relevant to the school syllabus.

You can see the revolving Baily Optic, try the electrified steam engine and pause to reflect at the Titanic exhibit, the Royal Navy prisoner’s docks and the war memorial.

Meanwhile, an important piece of Ireland’s maritime history, the 100-year-old ‘Dunleary Lifeboat’ is the subject of a new exhibition that has opened in DLR LexIcon and runs until February 4. The exhibition is being presented by The Dunleary Lifeboat Project in partnership with students from Sallynoggin College of Further Education.

 The Dunleary Lifeboat No 658 was built in 1919 and stationed in Dún Laoghaire Harbour from 1919 until 1937. In that time, she saved 55 lives.

This boat is unique as she is the sole survivor of the first 11 production boats dating to this time.

She was the first motor lifeboat provided by the civil service fund and has an excellent war time rescue history at Lytham where she served from 1937 to 1951 when she made a total of 81 launches.

 The boat was recently brought back from the UK, where she was destined to be scrapped. 

A group of local enthusiasts recognised the important historical significance of the vessel and formed a community association: The Dunleary Lifeboat Project. This group garnered enough support to transport the boat back to The Coal Pier in Dún Laoghaire.