10 things to do for Heritage Week
Heritage Week gets underway nationwide tomorrow and there’s a plethora of events on offer throughout Offaly.
Lots of the events are suitable for the whole family and many of them are free of charge, although there are a handful of adult-only events and one or two require an admission fee or donation.
Full details of all events around the country are available at www.heritageweek.ie but here’s 10 events that you’ll find in Offaly over the coming week:
1. Event: Visit to Durrow High Cross and Monastic Site
Where: Durrow Abbey Church
When: August 27 2pm to 3pm
Details: Visit to Durrow High Cross and Monastic Site presented by Society President Helen Bracken. Access is on the road from Tullamore to Kilbeggan and about four km off the M6 motorway
Admission: Free
2. Event: The coming of rural electrification to Offaly and Edenderry
Where: Parish Centre, St Mary’s Road, Edenderry
When: August 26 7.30pm-8.30pm
Details: The coming of rural electrification to Co. Offaly and Edenderry.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes
3. Event: Children’s Nature Photographic Exhibition
Where: Tullamore Library
When: August 20: 11am-5pm; Augsut 22: 10am-5pm; August 23: 10am-8pm; August 24: 10am-5pm; August 25: 10am-8pm; August 26 10am-5pm and August 27 10am-5pm
Details: A selection of nature photographs taken by children aged 5-12 - this exhibition celebrates the beauty and diversity of local wildlife as well as the talent of junior photographers. Free event.
Admission: Free
Suitable for Children: Yes
4. Event: One Family; Many Visions
Where: Áras an Chontae
When: August 23 6pm to 8pm
Details: Eamonn Bulfin, the Offaly man who raised the Irish Republic flag on the GPO in 1916, has a legacy of artistic direct descendants who feature in this exhibition.
Admission: Free
Suitable for Children: Yes
5. Event: Tullamore Town Whiskey Walk
Where: Tullamore Court Hotel
When: August 20 2pm-5pm
Details: Join me on a guided walking tour of Tullamore highlighting the towns rich historical association with whiskey through it’s art, architecture and a drop of uisce beatha in a bar or two.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: No
6. Event: Restored 18th Century Oat Mill
Where: Belmont Mill
When: August 20 and 21: 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm
Details: Step back in time and visit an 18th century oat mill. See the power of the Brosna river turn the great spur wheel to process the oats. The tour starts in the kiln room and ends on the stone floor.
Admission: (Adult): Donation to Midland Simon Community(Child): Free
Booking Required: Places are limited for each tour time. It is essential that you book your place from August 15.
Suitable for Children: Yes
7. Event: Banagher Heritage Walk
Where: Banagher Marina
When: August 23 7pm-8.30pm
Details: An interactive tour exploring the heritage of Banagher. St Rynagh, Cromwell, Sarsfield, Napoleon, Trollope, Charlotte Brontë and Johnny McEvoy are just some of the characters who feature in the story
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes
8. Event: Screening of Ladies of Science
Where: Birr Library
When: August 24 3.30pm-4.30pm
Details: This 56 minute drama documentary, set in Ireland, tells the story of two remarkable women, Lady Mary Rosse and Mary Ward, who had a passion for science and technology in the1850s.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: Yes
Suitable for Children: Yes
9. Event: 'Local Heros’ A Photography Exhibition of Images related to Soldiers of the Great War from Birr
Where: Birr Library
When: August 20: 9.30am-1pm; August 23: 9.30am-5.30pm; August 24: 9.30am-8pm; August 25: 9.30am-5.30pm; August 26: 9.30am-5.30pm; August 27: 9.30am-1pm
Details: A series of images relating to soldiers of the Great War from Birr and the surrounding area by Stephen Callaghan
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes
10. Event: Nocturnal Wildlife Walk on Mount Briscoe Organic Farm
Where: Mount Briscoe, Mullalough, Daingean
When: August 24 8.30pm-10pm
Details: Explore hotspots for ecology and observe the foraging activity of bats, moths and other wildlife. Topics for discussion: land management, species diversity and tips to support nocturnal species.
Admission: Free
Suitable for Children: Yes