Cobh celebrates wartime connection with the USA
THE start of May marked an important occasion – that of the centenary of the arrival of the US Navy to County Cork on May 4th, 1917, and their ensuing involvement in World War One. Many believe that the arrival of the Americans into the war marked the beginning of the end of the ‘war to end all wars’, which finally ended with on November 11th, 1918.
By way of commemoration, a wonderful day was held in Cobh, with a number of US dignitaries present and a number of invited guests. Speakers on the day included Deputy Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Kevin Conway and Deputy Chief Executive, Declan Daly. An exhibition in the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, by Damian Shiels was also opened and this will run up until mid-September.
A few weeks prior to mid-September is National Heritage Week, taking place between August 19th and 27th. The Theme for Heritage Week this year is ‘It’s in your Nature’, and the country’s natural heritage will become the main focus of events.
Each year the Heritage Council produces a wonderful event guide detailing events taking place around the country and registration for having a Heritage Week event listed in this publication is open until Wednesday, 31st May. This printed guide is distributed across Ireland to OPW sites, museums, libraries, local authorities, selected hotels and tourist offices and inclusion in the publication is a great way of promoting one’s event. Early registration will also ensure inclusion in Cork County Council’s Guide to Heritage Week Events in the County of Cork.
As part of Heritage Week this year, a new approach has been embarked upon. For the first time, two specifically themed days are being introduced as part of the event. The first of these takes place on Wednesday 23rd August – themed Wild Child Day. This is a day that will be dedicated to children everywhere to get involved in their local heritage.
Heritage Council research shows ‘ that the changing nature of children’s lives is a major concern and that children’s connection with nature is under serious threat. At the same time there are significant benefits, including to health and well-being, from contact with the outdoors and the environment. Events such as the building of bug hotels, nature hunts and other child focused events are all being encouraged strongly this year.
The second themed day is Water Heritage Day, taking place on Sunday 27th August. This day, as the Heritage Council notes, “will celebrate our most precious natural resource, water, in all its forms from sea to rivers, lakes to garden ponds in partnership with the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office Network”. It is expected that a number of water themed events will take place on the day and with Cork County’s depth of maritime heritage, the day is set to be a great success in the County. visit www.heritageweek.ie to see more information on National Heritage Week and to see a range of different ideas of Heritage Week events.
In other heritage news, this past week, Minister Heather Humphreys has announced an investment package of close to €4.8 million for built heritage projects throughout the country – close to 570 heritage projects in fact. It is anticipated that this funding will leverage €11m in private investment and furthermore support jobs in conservation and construction sectors. €3.5 million is being made available under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2017 and €1.3 million is being made available under the Structures at Risk Fund 2017 to allow for the conservation and repair of protected structures across the country.
According to Minister Humphreys: “A wide range of properties will benefit from funding this year in every county nationwide, including residential homes, townhouses, railway stations, churches, country houses and other listed buildings. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Local Authorities in embracing these schemes which will have a positive impact on protected structures. I am also delighted by the response of private owners and their willingness to release substantial private matching funds for the benefit of our built heritage.”
Heritage projects in every local authority area and every region across the country are set to benefit under these schemes. The Built Heritage Scheme is providing between €2,500 to €10,000 for just over 500 projects and additional amounts have been allocated for Structures At Risk projects. Full details of both schemes will be made available shortly.
In relation to upcoming events the week ahead does not disappoint. On Sunday 14th May, there will be a led walk of the Gearagh by renowned Heritage Expert Ted Cook. The Gearagh, outside of Macroom, is one of only five similar forests in the world. There is a treasure trove of biodiversity within the woods and everyone is welcome to come along on the day to enjoy and learn more about this wonderful site. The walk commences at 1pm at the carpark on the Inchigeela Road. It is about two miles on the left hand side from the Inchigeela turnoff on the main Cork-Macroom Road.
A few days later on Tuesday 16th May, Mallow Field Club will take a field trip to visit Carrig Park. All interested in attending are to meet at 6.30pm at Mallow Garda Station. The visit, which promises to be a fascinating one, is being led by heritage experts Michael O’Sullivan and Pat McInerney.
On Wednesday 17th May, at 8pm in Blarney Castle Hotel, the local Blarney & District Historical Society will be launching the 5th Photo-Journal Issue of ‘Old Blarney – In Focus’. These are wonderful publications and a good crowd is expected on the night. All welcome.
Next week’s column will take a look of many of the further events planned for the month of May.