Learn all about the Vikings from Annagassan!
Get out and see the Clogher whales
A host of talks, exhibitions and trips on a range of subjects from archaeological sites in Mid-Louth to Vikings in Annagassan will take place over the course of the annual Heritage Week, which runs from August 18th to 26th.
Every year, many national and hundreds of local community organisations participate by organising events throughout the country as part of Heritage Week – and 2018 is no different, especially in the MidLouth area.
Local historian Michael McKeown, who worked on the archaeological dig in the area, will give a talk on the Vikings arrival to Annagassan in The Glyde Inn on Monday August 20th at 8pm. Booking is necessary. Call 0429372350 to book.
On August 18th, McKeown and Kieran Campbell will lead an archaeological visit to Greenmount motte and the triple ringfort at Rathdrummin, as well as Lisnaran fort. For more, call 086 237 7256.
A week later (August 25th), the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group hold their annual, free and guided land-based whale day at Port Oriel, Clogherhead as part of All-Ireland Whale Watch day.
While there are no guarantees of sightings, reasonable weather should ensure a good chance of seeing the species local to the waters.
An exhibition featuring excerpts from the Schools Folklore Commission reports from local schools in Dunleer & District from the 1930s will be open in Dunleer Library between August 18th and 25th, during regular opening hours – while a display of old photographs of Ardee’s landmarks from a bygone era entitled ‘Stories From Days Gone By in Ardee’ will be open to the public all week.
Meanwhile, Ardee Concert Band and Ardee Archery Club will be among the attractions at Old Mellifont Abbey on Sunday August 26th as Heritage Week 2018 draws to a close.
Ireland’s third oldest concert band, fresh from winning a platinum award at the national finals of the UK National Concert Band Festival earlier this year, will perform for the assembled crowds between 3pm and 4pm, led by conductor Brendan Breslin.
Elsewhere, members from Ardee Archery Club will be on hand to help as patrons can turn their hand to archery and see how close they can go to hitting the target. This event is always popular, say organisers, with visitors advised to arrive early to avoid the queues.
The archers will be on site at Old Mellifont from 12pm to 4pm.