Lots to talk about as West Kerry joins national celebration of heritage
HERITAGE Week events in West Kerry attracted record numbers during the ten days of the national celebration which finished on Sunday.
Large numbers attended talks, walks and demonstrations in a range of events that were held from Dún Chaoin to Annascaul and the Maharees. The events demonstrated the depth and breadth of heritage on the peninsula, which has become accessible due to the work of organisations, community groups and individuals. And the work is ongoing as demonstrated in Annascaul as they took the first steps towards the establishment of a community archive.
In Dingle, even standing space was scarce as local historian Dr. Conor Brosnan presented his research on Dingle between the years 1793-1845 to over 100 people in An Diseart. Organised by the Dingle/Corca Dhuibhne History Timeline Committee, the talk was followed by a tour of relevant locations in the town which, despite the weather, was enjoyed by a large group.
In Ballyferriter 50 people attended a talk on the Dramatic Geological Fossil History of Chorca Dhuibhne by Patrick Wyse Jackson from TCD on Wednesday evening in Muséam Chorca Dhuibhne and more than 60 people took part in a walk across the peninsula on the pilgrim path Cosán na Naomh on Tuesday.
Onlookers could be forgiven for thinking they were time travelling in Dún Chaoin as three strong young men shouldered a naomhóg from the stands at Dún Chaoin pier up the steep slope to a waiting trailer. The naomhóg was transported to Ionad an Bhlascaoid where the skilled crew of naomhóg builder Eddie Hutch and Naomhóg na Tinte member Breandán Ó Muircheartaigh worked with Seán Ó Duinnshléibhe and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin stripping the canvas, painting the boat and recanvassing and tarring the naomhóg. The restored boat, which is at Ionad an Bhlascaoid, will be returned at some date in the future to the slip in Dún Chaoin.
The award-winning Mahrees Heritage group introduced more people to the local Heritage Trail while the heritage organisations on the peninsula opened their doors free of charge to the public. Annascaul finished thier week with a talk on Life in a Pristine river by Dr. Andy Fogarty, an examination of the river after which the village is named and a tour of the recently renovated decorative water pumps in the village.