Share your stories

Young people are being urged to share their stories with the Wicklow Town Team as part of the development of a new heritage trail.

A joint initiative with Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Municipal District, the heritage trail will include various points of interest around town with each having an audio/visual QR link.

The Town Team is inviting students aged between six and 18 to record a short one to two-minute podcast or video telling the story in their own words of the history of their chosen site. Most phones have voice and video recorders, which means making your own video or podcast at home is easier than ever. For younger children this may mean using a parent’s phone and enlisting their help or supervision.

The Town Team are looking for stories on St Patrick’s Church, the Abbey Grounds, Captain Robert Halpin, the Town Hall and Market Square, Billy Byrne, Black Castle, Travelahawk Beach and St Patrick, Barrow Green and Wicklow Gaol.

As well as the history associated with each point, they are also interested in hearing about any local stories, lore, traditions or folklore and would encourage schoolchildren to speak to older family members or neighbours whether by telephone or in person to get their input. Remember to observe social distancing guidelines at all times. Anyone seeking some technical assistance can visit the Heritage Council’s Heritage in Schools scheme free online tutorial by Peter Baxter, Heritage in Schools expert, on how to create a podcast.

Visit www.heritageinschools.ie/online-tutorials/how-topodcast. Remember to observe social distancing guidelines at all times. Each entry is to be submitted by email to wicklowheritage@gmail.com by Friday, June 5, at 5 p.m., with ‘Wicklow Heritage Stories’ the subject.