Public invited to have their say on ‘Heritage Ireland 2030’ plan
HERITAGE in Ireland is witnessing some exciting times.
The country has so many different attributes and values that combine to give us our shared sense of place and the sense of who we are together, with more and more local groups and individuals leading the way and advocating for heritage at grassroots level
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has recently announced that a new National Heritage Plan is to be undertaken and has called on the people of Ireland to get involved; encouraged to make their voice heard and to make a real difference to the scope and ambition of the Plan, which will be titled ‘ Heritage Ireland 203’0.
The County of Cork is steeped in heritage and is lucky to have such great numbers of groups and individuals who have a love for this heritage, regularly protecting and promoting it at every opportunity.
The vision for ‘Heritage Ireland 2030’ is that heritage is valued and protected, and the people of Cork, individuals and community groups alike, now have the opportunity to express how much heritage means by having their voice heard on the national level with regard to how heritage should be prioritised over the next decade and beyond..
To stimulate thought and the development of ideas, a consultation document has been devised by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which is available to view online at www.chg.gov. ie/heritage/heritageireland2030.
Anyone and everyone with an interest in heritage is encouraged to get involved; submissions can be as simple or as detailed as one wishes.
In order to support groups and individuals who wish to make a submission, Cork County Council is hosting an information session on Thursday, February 14 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Floor 2 of the County Hall.
This will be an informal event for all of those who love their heritage; where people can drop in and discuss ideas and the type of suggestions that could be included in submissions on the plan.
Submissions are welcomed by the Department up until February 28 and can be sent by email (Heritageireland2030@ chg.gov.ie); post (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Custom House, Dublin 1, D01 W6XO) or by online survey via www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/heritageireland2030.
Anyone interested in attending on Thursday 14th February is requested to email conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie prior to Friday, February 8.
All most welcome and it is hoped that a multitude of submissions will be made from the Rebel County.
Heritage Week 2019 - ‘Pastimes and Past Times’.
IN 2018, there was a hive of heritage activity in Cork, Ireland and across Europe as the European Year of Cultural Heritage was celebrated.
With 2019 now upon us, another wonderful year is in store and the Heritage Council has just announced this year’s theme for National Heritage Week – ‘ Pastimes and Past Times’.
Taking place from August 17-25, it is anticipated that over 2000 events will be organised around the country, enjoyed by an audience of over half a million people.
Co-ordinated by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week is Ireland’s most popular cultural event – part of the wider ‘European Heritage Days’ initiative, which sees heritage celebrated in over 40 countries across the continent.
During Heritage Week everyone will have the chance to connect with their heritage; to enjoy, appreciate and perhaps most importantly, share it.
With a focus on pastimes and past times, people will have the opportunity to stroll through history and explore how our free time has evolved in often fascinating ways, shaped by hundreds of years of storytelling, craft, sport and music.
In Cork it is expected that over 200 Heritage Week events will take place and new event organisers are always welcome to get involved.
For full information on Heritage Week and to browse events ideas and planning tips visit www.heritageweek.ie.
Celebrations to mark St Bridget and St Gobnait Day’s
IN terms of upcoming events there is plenty to look forward to in February.
Firstly, and from a spiritual perspective, there are two events that will be of interest to many people regarding St. Bridget whose Pattern Day is on February 1 and St. Gobnait whose day is February 11.
On Thursday, January 31 a St Bridget’s Cross-making workshop will take place at the Fermoy Resource Centre from 10am to 11am and again from 11am to 12 noon. All most welcome.
Currently open and on display in the Ionad Cultúrtha in Baile Mhúirne until after St. Gobnait’s Day, is a wonderful exhibition titled ‘Ex-Voto’.
It displays some fascinating photos from St. Gobnait’s Day in Baile Mhúirne from throughout the years and is well worth the visit.
Kinsale and Ballincollig’s heritage under the spotlight
LATER in the week on Thursday, February 7 , commencing at 8pm there will be a talk entitled ‘Keeping an Eye on Kinsale’ which looks at Kinsale over the years from a heritage perspective.
The event commences at 8pm in the Temperance Hall, Kinsale and everyone is welcome.
A few days later again on Monday, February 11, there will be a talk about the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig and the explosions that took place within the site over the 119 years of its operation.
The talk, which has been organised by the Muskerry Local History Society, will be given by Frank Donaldson in the Ballincollig Rugby Club premises, commencing at 8pm.
Next week’s column will take a look at the many further events scheduled for the month of February.