National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 23 to Sunday, August 31 this year.
The Heritage Council is encouraging people and organisations to get involved in National Heritage Week by organising an event in their town, village or community across Donegal.
On-line registration is now open and all events must be registered by Saturday, May 31 in order to be included the free National Heritage Week Event Guide produced by The Heritage Council.
You can register your event by submitting the details on-line at www.heritageweek.ie or by completing a ‘Heritage Week’ registration form available from The Heritage Council on 1850 200 878.
The County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council will also be producing its free, pocket-size County Donegal ‘Heritage Week’ Event Guide that has proved so popular in recent years based on the information submitted to The Heritage Council.
“Heritage Week was a tremendous success in County Donegal in 2013. We had over 100 events taking place at regional venues in the county and most of them were free” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“Events included family open days, guided walks, built heritage open houses, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, illustrated presentations, photographic competitions, children’s activities, genealogical research, storytelling sessions, traditional music, craft fairs and traditional skills demonstrations.”
National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council and Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from Fáilte Ireland. This year’s theme is ‘Generations Exploring Heritage Together’.
The principal aims of ‘National Heritage Week’ are to foster awareness of the built, cultural and natural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation and to raise interest in our shared European heritage.
Speaking about National Heritage Week, Isabell Smyth, Head of Communications & Education at The Heritage Council said, ““As the numbers attending and taking part in National Heritage Week have increased, so too has the level of awareness and appreciation of our national heritage.
“The week would not be such a success were it not for the commitment and dedication of our event organisers, many of whom give up their free time to organise events during National Heritage Week. National Heritage Week offers huge opportunities for communities to attract visitors to their area and experience the wealth of heritage, which in many cases remains unknown.”
Where possible, events should be free of charge or offer special concession rates. The Heritage Council will promote Heritage Week nationally and provide organisers with materials including posters and a programme of events to promote their activities. For further information, log on to www.heritageweek.ie, e-mail heritageweek@heritagecouncil.ie or telephone 1850 200 878
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