Southside celebrates Heritage Week with a series of events

THIS year’s Heritage Week 2019, which takes place nationwide from August 17 to 25 will showcase the joy, diversity and accessibility that can be found within our country’s rich heritage.

As a nation of storytellers, our heritage is linked to stories of people, places, moments and things. Events taking place on the Southside include coin minting demonstrations at Dalkey Castle, a Victorian afternoon tea at Airfield Estate, talks on the evolution of children’s pastimes from the 18th to the 20th century and lots more. Full details can be found at heritageweek.ie. 

Heritage Week 2019 will be a call to action for people to discover, interpret and embrace their heritage and in turn create their own new pastime – to become an explorer, an archaeologist, a storyteller or eco-warrior.

With over 2,000 events taking place throughout the country, there is undoubtedly an event for everyone, no matter their age or interests. The eclectic offering of events in this year’s schedule includes picnics & parties, talks & tours, ceilís, crafts & craic, all of which serve to make our country’s heritage more inclusive than ever. 

National Heritage Week is a celebration of Ireland's built, natural and cultural heritage and aims to generate awareness, appreciation and preservation of our wonderful resources. 

This year The Heritage Council’s chosen theme for Heritage Week is the celebration of Pastimes and Past Times. 

Speaking on the importance of Heritage Week, Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, said: “I pay tribute to the hundreds of individuals and communities across Ireland who, every year, give of themselves to stage events and share their interest in heritage with the public at large. 

“This commitment is the backbone of our heritage, and it is more important than ever, given the imperatives around climate action, that we nurture those who nurture our heritage.” 

The Heritage Week programme features events for all ages, most of which are free to attend. Local highlights include coin minting semonstrations at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre from August 18 to 25 when you can learn how to make money and mint your own coins. 

On August 25 Afternoon Tea will be served in the majestic setting of Airfield House. Menus are inspired by seasonal flora, produce from the walled garden, the organic food garden and local artisan producers.

Children’s Pastimes in Past Times at the Royal Marine Hotel on August 18 is organised by the Museum of Childhood Ireland project. This talk series brings together a panel of historians to examine the evolution of children’s pastimes from the 18th to the 20th century. 

Speaking ahead of the launch of Heritage Week 2019, the CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said: “The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week – ‘Pastimes and Past Times’ – is one that will appeal to anyone who can remember what it is to be a child, who has a hobby, enjoys a craft, is an enthusiastic collector, plays an instrument or just likes to tell stories.

“We hope this year, as in previous years, you find something to enjoy by yourself, with friends or with family.”

Coordinated by the Heritage Council since 2005, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events.