A PACKED SCHEDULE FOR HERITAGE WEEK
HERITAGE WEEK gets started this Saturday, and there’s a packed timetable of events taking place in Co. Wexford
The week of events, which runs until Sunday, August 26, sees talks, walks and practical workshops being held. The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week is ‘Sharing Stories’.
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is hosting several free and family-friendly events.
On Sundays 19 and 26, from 2 to 4 pm, bug discovery and pond-dipping activities will take place in the grounds of the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve visitor centre. Nets, jars, pooters and identification charts will be provided to help younger bug finders catch and recognize land and water mini-beasts in the picnic area.
On Tuesday August 21, all are welcome to the Snipe Field, Ardcavan, for bug discovery from 10 a.m. to midday. Stop at the open parking area next to Ardcavan beach and follow the signs down the lane to the Snipe Field. NEW ROSS STANDARD
On Thursday, August 23, everyone is welcome to the Raven Nature Reserve in Curracloe for bug discovery from 10 a.m. to midday.
To celebrate International Bat Night, on Saturday, August 25, from 8.30 pm to 11.30 pm., a bat walk will take place from the Pump House at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve following a short presentation on these remarkable flying mammals. The walk will start at sundown along the the boardwalk and grassy lanes using torches and hand-held bat detectors. Outdoor clothing and footwear are required and torches are recommended. This event is weather dependent, so check the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve Facebook page for updates.
The visitor centre at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is hosting an exhibition of photographs about the conservation work on the Reserve and its wildlife featuring pictures kindly contributed by people who worked on and visited the North Slob.
No booking is required for any of the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve events, although the Pump House has a capacity of 60 for the
Ibat talk on Saturday, August 25.
Several events are also taking place at the JFK Arboretum near New Ross.
Speaking about the event, Mary O’Neill-Moloney, head guide of the JFK Arboretum, said: ‘We are delighted to launch Heritage Week at the JFK Arboretum on Sunday with a workshop by the wonderfully talented Tina Callaghan, an amazing author and fantastic storyteller.
‘ Tina’s workshop will be an inspiration for all young writers. This year’s highlights will also include talks by two very talented gardeners, Seamus O’Brien and Gary Mentanko.
‘On the final day of Heritage Week, we will have our annual craft fair and storytelling with Baya the Storyteller. We hope that many people will be able to join us for these events.’
The arboretum can be contacted at 051 388171 or jfkarboretum@opw.ie.
All of the events taking place around the county for Heritage Week are listed below. Further details on individual events can be found at heritageweek.ie.