HERITAGE WEEK EVENTS CONTINUE ACROSS THE COUNTY
NATIONAL Heritage Weeks continues with schedule packed with a feast of family-friendly events.
The week is a wonderful opportunity to discover some of the hidden treasures of County Wicklow. Tours of Baltinglass hillfort, open day at Wicklow lighthouse and Nun’s Cross Church and a ‘walk and talk’ about the big houses of Bray are just some of the events taking place, not to mention tours of the burial grounds in Delgany and Glendalough. There is also the chance to learn more about the history and heritage of Newcastle and Dunlavin or the geology of Greystones thanks to a number of planned tours.
Younger members of the family with an interest in wildlife can take part in a ‘Wild Child Nature Tour’ in Hollywood or come and hear some children’s nature stories at Season Park Woods in Newtown.
Children and families alike are welcome at the East Coast Nature Reserve to discover the habitats it protects or at Easthill Organic Farm in Newtownmountkennedy to learn more about the bugs, bees and pollinators who are vital residents of the farm.
The Ashford Community and Heritage Centre is hosting a trio of exhibitions (photos by JM Synge, paintings by father and daughter Kenneth and Susan Webb, and a replica of the Book of Kells) as well as a humorous show. Over in Hollywood, Blessington Comhaltas will present Ceiliuradh 3, an evening packed with music, song and poems.
For those with a love of animals, Wicklow SPCA at Sharpeshill will host ‘Back to Basics’, with demonstrations of old skills and an exhibition of items from yester-year.
For more information, visit heritageweek.ie.
REPEATED EVENTS
MACREDDIN MILE WALK Brooklodge and Macreddin Village Wednesday, August 23, to Sunday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Join in this self-guided walk along the Macreddin Village Mile, which tells the historical story of local landmarks, plants and wildlife.
GLEN MA LURE PURE MILES WALK
Glenmalure Lodge Wednesday, August 23, to Sunday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Avail of the self-guide information leaflets at Glenmalure Lodge which help walkers appreciate the rich history, culture and nature of Glenmalure.
GEORGIAN HOUSE, EMMET HISTORY
Altidore Castle, Kilpedder Wednesday, August 23, to Sunday, August 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily Altidore is a rare, Georgian castellated house. Come and enjoy a tour with one of the Emmet family – direct descendants of brothers Thomas Addis and Robert Emmet – who now live at Altidore. Booking is required, call 087 7601369 or email e4altidore@eircom.net. Admission is €5 for children and adults.
QUAKERS FROM 1668 TO 1874
Ballymurrin Quaker Farmstead Wednesday, August 23, to Sunday, August 27, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day.
Visit three phases of Quaker farm development from1668, learnabout Wick low Quaker settlement in the 17 th century and view the model conservation of buildings lived in for 350 years. Bookingrequired, call040448206or emailicon@iolfree.ie. Admissionis€5 for adults or €10 for a family.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG TOUR
Glendalough
Wednesday, August 23, to Friday, August 25, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. daily Young and old are invited to visit the site of the UCD School of Archaeology excavations, see the artifacts and talk to the excavators.
THE GEOLOGY OF WICKLOW
Foyer of County Buildings Wednesday, August 23, to Friday, August 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Discover more about the rocks and underlying geology of Wicklow from this exhibition, which features the making of the Leinster granite, mining at Avoca and Glendalough and the glaciated landscape.
KNOCK ANREE GARDEN WALK
Knockanree Gardens, Avoca Wednesday, August 23, to Sunday, August 27, from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. daily
The garden at Knockanree reflects its creator Harold Clarke’s belief that one should never know what to expect around the corner. Admission is €5 for adults.
ART AND ATMOSPHERE
Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh Wednesday, August 23, to Sunday, August 27, from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily The ‘Art and Atmosphere’ exhibi- tion will display sketched, painted, etched and printed images of the Glendalough Valley from the 18th century onwards, capturing rarely seen aspects of the valley’s heritage. GLENDA LO UGH GRAVE YARD TOUR Round Tower, Glendalough Wednesday, August 23, to Saturday, August 26, at 3 p.m. daily
Join local historians for an entertaining tour of some of the remarkable grave markers present in the historic grave yard at Glenda lo ugh.
NATURE BASE CAMP
Season Park Farm Allotments, New town Wednesday, August 23, to Friday, August 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.
This is a fun, biodiversity planting, nature, horticultural camp for kids and families. Suitable for ages six to 12 years, parents are welcome to attend but spaces must be booked in advance. Call 087 1477507 or email grace_garde@ hotmail.com. Cost is €50 per child or €100 for a family.