Heritage Week becoming increasingly popular as Cork events attract big crowds
MINISTER of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh has recently announced that a grant of €1,073,863 has been sanctioned to carry out improvement works on various islands around the country, including €313,500 for the County of Cork, with the Council to provide matching funding.
The islands involved in Cork include Bere Island, Long Island, Whiddy Island, Dursey Island and Sherkin Island. Minister McHugh said: “These kinds of investments are about improving the lives of islanders, improving accessibility, investing in the future of island communities and in works that will sustain and develop vital tourism offerings. Our islands are truly at the heart of what is best loved and admired about Irish culture and these kind of investments demonstrate how highly we value these communities.”
Communities are the beating heart of Ireland and it very positive to see this concept of value increasing throughout the country. These community groups protect and promote the heritage and culture of their locality and throughout the year organise a range of different events for locals and visitors alike, not least during National Heritage Week.
National Heritage Week 2018 has been running from Saturday last and will run up until next Sunday, 26th August. Already close to 100 different Heritage Week events have taken place within Cork County and on the national level, it is anticipated that over 500,000 people will have attended activities and events. The popularity of the week is almost growing exponentially in recent years as more and more people take stock of the heritage that surrounds us all and indeed connects us all.
Last weekend some terrific events were held and thankfully the weather held up as well. Youghal held its ever successful Medieval Walled Town Day, which was attended by thousands of people over the course of the day and renowned heritage specialist Ted Cook led a walk in Glenbower Woods, conveying to all present the importance of trees. This coming Saturday, 25th August, both Ted Cook and NPWS Conservation Ranger Danny O’Keeffe, will lead a walk in St. Gobnait’s Woods in Baile Mhuirne, commencing at 2pm at the carpark across the road from The Mills bar.
For those interested in natural heritage another wonderful walk will take place on Sunday 26th, this one taking in the very special area of the Gearagh, which is one of only five similar sites in the world. The walk will be led by Alisha Murphy and Patricia Beecher and commences at 12 noon.
Leaflets of events taking place in County Cork for Heritage Week are available in locations such as Tourist Offices, Libraries and Council Offices. Details of events are also available on Cork County’s Council heritage website (www. corkcoco.ie/arts-heritage) as well as www.heritageweek.ie. The Heritage Week website also contains details of a number of national Heritage Week Awards that can be won and with 2018 being the European Year of Cultural Heritage there is also a special award this year – Le Chéile San Eoraip - recognising event organisers who showcase heritage links with other places in Europe.
A few days after Heritage Week – on Friday 31st August –a wonderful event takes place in Griffin’s Garden Centre, Dripsey. This is the ‘ Summer Concert in an Enchanted Garden’, organised by the Inniscarra Historical Society. Commencing at 7.30pm, the event will feature a performance by the highly acclaimed High Hopes Choir as well other local performers. Admission is by ticket only (€10) and for further information email inniscarra.historical.society@ gmail.com.
Next week’s column will take a look at many of the heritage events scheduled for the month of September