Nearly thirty events have been planned throughout the county to celebrate Heritage Week 2009 in Kildare. These events include a range of talks, field trips and exhibitions aimed at encouraging people to take an interest in their local heritage.
Heritage week is part of a European Wide initiative with the express aims of fostering awareness of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage, thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation and increasing interest in our shared heritage.
“There is a great enthusiasm among local groups for heritage week this year, which reflects a growing interest in local history. Many local history groups have organised talks about aspects of their local heritage ” said Bridget Loughlin, County Kildare Heritage Officer. There is a wide variety of events this year and people are urged to come along and take part.
These events include a series of talks such as “150 years of Women’s Role in the Big House” by Coletee Jordan hosted by Kilcullen heritage centre, A lecture entitled “Archaeology Uncovered” in the Athy Heritage centre, “Leixlip and Guinness 250” by Patrick Guinness hosted by Leixlip community Library and a presentation on the restoration works to Jigginstown House by Anna Dolan, Snr. Architect with the OPW.
For the more active, IPCC are looking for volunteers to assist in the blocking of drains at Lullymore West Cutaway bog as part of its conservation management and Celbridge Community Council are hosting a “Welly Walk through Castletown House Parklands”. Mario Corrigan will lead a guided tour of Kildare Town.
A number of exhibitions will be held throughout the county including a photographic exhibition of some of the many castles and buildings associated with the Fitzgerald’s, Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster in Maynooth Castle and a photographic exhibition of people, places and events from old and modern Naas in Naas Library hosted by Naas
Many local history groups will be hosting events such as a tour of Maynooth including St Mary’s church, the town and carton Avenue, hosted by Maynooth Local History group The Landmark Trust will host a self-guided tour of Castletown Roundhouse and Gate House.
Heritage sites within the county, such as the Athy and Kildare Heritage Centre, The National Stud and Maynooth Castle have free admission or special concessions during the week. Kildare County Council has compiled a listing of these and the many other events happening around the County, which is available on www.kildare.ie or in all local libraries. To view a listing of Heritage Week events in other counties go to www.heritageweek.ie or call 1850 200978
Click the image to download the programme of events (PDF File, 1.4MB)