Seminar will highlight the value of local history

THERE are still some places available on a oneday free public seminar on local history taking place in the Brockagh Resource Centre.

The event is organised by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council will be held on Saturday, November 4.

Admission is free but booking is required to secure a place as capacity is limited.

‘Our Wicklow Heritage: Making Local History’ is arranged in conjunction with local historical societies. Its aim is to highlight the valuable role of local historical societies in generating and disseminating information about Wicklow, and to explore opportunities to support and strengthen this role into the future.

Professor of History at Maynooth University, Dr Raymond Gillespie, will be the keynote speaker followed by talks from five of the local historical societies in Wicklow: Roundwood and District Folklore and Historical Society; Rathdrum Historical Society; Arklow Maritime Heritage Committee; Bray Cualann Historical Society and Greystones Archaeological and Historical Society.

‘Historical research is in many ways easier than ever with an array of online resources available,’ said Wicklow’s Heritage Officer, Deirdre Burns.

‘However, this also poses challenges for sustaining the traditional model of a local history society and among the issues we hope to discuss are opportunities for attracting new audiences and members, encouraging new research and using online and digital resources,’ said Ms Burns.

Also included on the programme will be presentations from Ms Catherine Wright, Wicklow County Council Archivist, and Ms Burns, Heritage Officer, on key resources available for the historical researcher in county Wicklow.

The seminar will also provide an opportunity for members of different societies or related groups from all over the county to meet and exchange ideas and discuss their work.