Over 80 free events in Westmeath and Roscommon for National Heritage Week
All around the country next week, people are being encouraged to get ‘hands on with heritage’ by attending a huge number of free events which have been organised as part of National Heritage Week, which kicks off this Saturday, August 13, and runs right through until Sunday of next week, August 21.
Westmeath will be hosting 39 heritage events over the course of National Heritage Week, while Roscommon has listed 42 events, ranging from visits to local Heritage Centres, family history clinics, bog walks and historical talks.
Below we have compiled a list of just some of the highlights on offer locally to mark the week-long focus on all things heritage.
The full list of events for every county is available to download at www.heritageweek.ie
SOUTH ROSCOMMON
VISIT DRUM HERITAGE CENTRE
Monday to Friday, August 15 - 19
10am – 2.30pm
Drum Heritage Group
Drum Heritage Centre, Drum, Athlone N37 A7Y8
Drum Heritage Centre is open from 10am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday throughout National Heritage Week.
The one thousand square foot Visitor Centre/History Museum contains a display area for public viewing of one of the largest collections in the Midlands of historic documents and memorabilia relating to Drum and its Hinterland.
Wander at your leisure around Drum Heritage Visitor Centre. Read the profiles of people and discover the feeling of ancient Ireland when you walk the hallowed ground of the Monastic Site and pathway leading to St. Brigid's Well and our other numerous heritage sites.
Drum Heritage Group care for several heritage sites in the area, find out more about them all in Drum Heritage Centre.
Car parking available.
Further information is available by contacting: 085 209 4555 or email: drumheritage@gmail.com
PLEDGE YOUR GARDEN FOR POLLINATORS - ROSCOMMON
Tuesday, August 16
6pm - 8pm
Roscommon County Council
Roscommon Library F42 RP49
Join Hannah Mole from https://earthcare.ie/ for a talk, followed by a walk, on how you can pledge your garden for pollinators.
Our pollinating insects are in decline, with one-third of our 98 wild bee species at risk of extinction. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan aims to reverse these declines and make the island a place where pollinators can survive and thrive. By taking simple steps in your garden, you will help provide much needed food and shelter for our pollinating insects, while creating a beautiful, colourful garden.
Roscommon County Council are delighted to host this event for National Heritage Week 2022, in support of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage - Local Biodiversity Action Fund.
The talk is in the seminar room in Roscommon library. There will be a walk afterwards which is outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Further information is available by phone at: 087 90778860 or email: nfeeney@roscommoncoco.ie
FAMILY HISTORY CLINIC
Saturday, August 13
10am - 4:30pm
Eilish Feeley
Roscommon County Library
Roscommon Town
Chasing your Ancestors through Time: - Are you interested in finding out more about your family history, where your ancestors lived and what they worked at? Book a half hour slot with a qualified genealogist who will provide you with advice and assistance on starting your family history journey or on taking your research further. Facilitated by genealogist Eilish Feeley, M.A. History of Family www.irishclannconnections.com
Contact 087 2940544 to book a slot.
'A LONE FURROW' BY ROSCOMMON DRAMA GROUP
Thursday to Saturday, August 18 - 20
8pm - 11pm
Roscommon Arts Centre, Circular Road, Roscommon F42 YX61
‘A Lone Furrow’ written by local man, Tommy Murray, captures the main events in the life of Aleen Cust, the first woman vet in Britain and Ireland, who practised in Athleague for over 20 years (1900-1923), but because she was a woman she was not allowed to register as a Veterinary Surgeon by the (all male) members of the Royal Council of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
William Byrne, an enlightened veterinary surgeon from Roscommon town who had a practice in Athleague, and whose monument stands in the Square, Roscommon, defied the RCVS and appointed her as his Veterinary assistant.
The play dramatizes her long struggle for recognition as a professional vet and the obstacles placed in her path, both locally and on a broader front. It is a local story of courage and persistence, needing to be told some 100 years on.
Roscommon Drama Group first presented the play to packed houses in 2019 and as this is the 100th anniversary of Aleen Cust receiving her hard-fought-Diploma and getting her name on the Register of Veterinary Surgeons, it is appropriate that the play would be presented again in conjunction with other events organised by the recently formed Aleen Cust Memorial Society to commemorate this extraordinary woman.
Booking is essential, please use booking link
Further event details are on https://roscommonartscentre.ie/
ATHLEAGUE REMEMBERS AILEEN CUST 1868-1937
Saturday, August 13
11am - 2pm
Athleague Tidy Towns & Aleen Cust Memorial Society
Athleague Community Centre. Athleague, Co. Roscommon
Aleen Cust, the first woman to become a veterinary surgeon in Ireland and the UK was born in County Tipperary, Ireland. She is remembered in Galway and Roscommon for her charm, integrity, intelligence and a highly capable practitioner.
Athleague Tidy Towns & Aleen Cust Memorial Society present a morning in celebration of the life of Aleen Cust. There will be an exhibition of memorabilia, talks and more.
Please keep an eye on Athleague Tidy Towns facebook page for more details on this event.
BIODIVERSITY WALK AND PICNIC
Saturday, August 13
11am - 3pm
Native Woodland Trust
Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon
https://goo.gl/maps/WZb2QxxiNW44m68p9
The Native Woodland Trust invites you to their Nature Reserve in Lecarrow, County Roscommon, this Saturday, August 13, for a biodiversity walk and picnic at our Lecarrow Reserve and experience woodland creation first hand. We’ll guide you through our reserve on foot; reveal its story and show you the variety of life that call the woodland home.
We’ll follow this up with a sit-down picnic (tea, coffee and biscuits are provided) to get to know one another and discuss what we’ve seen.
Meeting point and car parking is on site at the reserve (Google Maps link below):
https://goo.gl/maps/WZb2QxxiNW44m68p9
Participants: max. 15.
Age limit: 10.
Dress: the event takes place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
BOG WALK - BALLYDANGAN BOG
Saturday, August 13
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Contact Pat Feehily
Meet at Moore Hall, Ballydangan, Athlone
Guided bog walk to the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project. You will see our best-practice community-led conservation actions aimed at maintaining and increasing the red grouse and breeding curlew numbers on Ballydangan Bog, Roscommon.
Car parking is available and all participants are asked to bring suitable clothing. Bring suitable clothing. For more information see: www.ballydanganbog.com
Further Information is available by phone at: 086 2501475 or email: moorecc3@gmail.com
A WALK THROUGH OUR RECENTLY 2021 PLANTED NATIVE WOODLAND
Saturday, August 20
4pm - 5:30pm
Sean Butler
Hillside Holistic Farm, Tavanagh, Brideswell, Athlone N37Y324
In 2020 we decided to give over some of our farm to native woodland as part of our response to biodiversity loss and climate change. In 2021 we planted 30,000+ native trees on 11 hectares. This visit is a chance to see our 1 year old native woodland, looking at and talking about the native trees and other native plants and animals that are there. There are also the remnants of 2 ring forts on the site that we will visit. We will also talk about the other things that we are doing on our farm to help and encourage more biodiversity.
This is an outdoor event, please wear suitable footwear and clothing for walking through long grass.
Please register for this event by email at: sean@hillsideholisticfarm.ie or by phone at:
086 6021962.
CEMETERY SUNDAY AT RAHARA CEMETERY
Sunday, August 14
10am - 1pm
Rahara Cemetery Committee/Rahara Tidy Towns & Development
Rahara Cemetery, Rahara, Co. Roscommon
Cemetery Sunday at Rahara Cemetery starts with a celebration of Mass at 10am.
This will be followed by a short talk by Nollaig Feeney, Roscommon County Council Heritage Officer, on the recent conservation project at Rahara medieval church which was funded by the Heritage Council, Roscommon County Council & the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage Community Monuments Fund.
Rahara Tidy Towns & Development will also give a presentation on their projects and activities.
Keep an eye on Rahara social media for updates.
Further information is available by phone at: 086 8575512 or by email: cllrfallon@roscommoncoco.ie
GUIDED TOUR OF KILMEANE GRAVEYARD, ROSCOMMON
Saturday, August 21
3:30pm - 5pm
Eilish Feeley
Kilmeane Graveyard, Kilmeane, Roscommon
Guided tour of Kilmeane Graveyard, Roscommon to showcase the history and archaeology of this important local burial site in advance of the publication of the forthcoming book on Kilmeane Graveyard by Mary Timoney MA.
As this is an outdoor event, suitable footwear and clothing is required.
Booking required, please contact 087 2940544.
For further information please email: feeleyeilish@gmail.com
LAUNCH OF RINDOON JOURNAL - VOLUME 5
Friday, August 19
8pm - 10pm
St. John's Parish Heritage Group
St. Johns Community Centre, Lecarrow F42 CK11
St. Johns Parish Heritage Group are delighted to host the launch of 'The Rindoon Journal, Volume 5' in Lecarrow Community Centre.
This journal has been long awaited and it is great to now be able to host an 'in person' launch. Copies of the Journal will be on sale on the night.
Come along for an evening of chat, musical entertainment & refreshments.
Further information is available by email at: stjphg@gmail.com
NATURE WALK - MONKSLAND
Thursday, August 18
7pm - 8pm
Roscommon County Council
Roscommon County Council Offices, Monksland, Athlone
Athlone Civic Centre, Monksland, Athlone N37 W5P9
Co. Roscommon
Join Michael Bell from www.naturelearn.com for a nature walk around Monksland. Slow down, put on your ‘nature eyes’, look up, look down and look under. See what nature and wildlife you can spot as we take a leisurely stroll from the Roscommon County Council Offices on to the Monksland Greenway.
Roscommon County Council are delighted to host this event for National Heritage Week 2022. Funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage - Local Biodiversity Action Fund.
This is an outdoor event, so please dress for the weather. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Further information is available by phone at: 087 9078860 or by email: nfeeney@roscommoncoco.ie
WESTMEATH
WALKING TOUR OF THE HISTORIC DEFENCES OF ATHLONE
Wednesday, August 17
11am - 12pm
Melanie McQuade
Meet outside Athlone Castle, Castle Street, Athlone, N37 A6D7
Join local historian Gearoid O'Brien and Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade for a walking tour around the historic defences and upstanding sections of the Town Wall. Gearoid will talk about the history of the town's defences and Melanie will talk about recent conservation works to the town wallS.
Outdoor walking event -dress appropriately.
Further information is available by phone at: 087 6074496 or email: heritage@westmeathcoco.ie
VISIT MOATE MUSEUM IN THE OLD JAIL BUILDING
Monday to Friday, August 15 – 19
3pm - 6pm
Moate Museum and Historical Society
Moate Museum, Main Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Moate Museum will open during Heritage Week, so why not come along and see the collection which contains over 1,000 artefacts relating to the folk history of the town and its environs especially from the 1700s to the present. The exhibits include farm implements, machines, a tradition farm kitchen, a chapel and school, jail, archaeology display, blacksmiths forge, tradesman's workshops and an archive of local documents.
Further information is available by email: moatehistory@gmail.com
TOUR OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH, CHURCH STREET, ATHLONE
Saturday to Sunday, August 13 – 21
1pm - 4:30pm
Anne Marie Slevin
St Mary's Church
Church St, Athlone
N37 CK27
Co. Westmeath
Early C19th church situated beside free standing belfry of earlier church located in centre of Athlone town. St Mary's contains many memorials by Irish craftsmen dating from the C17th right up to C20th detailing the local family connections with the town and countryside. The Church has six magnificent Gothic windows of very late C19th style with unusual history.
Further information is available by phone at: 086 8364871 or email: wcmigg@gmail.com
UP IN ARMS - LONGBOW MAKING IN THE 15th CENTURY
Friday, August 19
1pm - 3pm
Joanna Grobosz
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, St Peter’s Square, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 A6D7
Master bowyer Jack Pinson will once again return to Athlone Castle to demonstrate historical longbow-making techniques, concentrating on the medieval military archery. Jack will demonstrate a depiction of longbow making as it might have looked during the 100 Years War in the 15th century.
Jack is a master bowyer with the Traditional Craft Guild of Bowyers and Fletchers and has been making traditional and historic reproduction longbows for over 10 years. Using a variety of tools, equipment and examples, glean an insight into the various stages of longbow production shaped and tillered from a single stave of timber.
A selection of period costumes will also be available for visitors to try on and a children’s archery area will be set up to give our young visitors and their parents a chance to try their strength at archery.
This free event does NOT include admission to Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
Further information is available by phone at: 090 6442130 or email: info@athlonecastle.ie
TRADITIONAL GAMES WEEKEND AT ATHLONE CASTLE
Saturday, August 20, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, August 21, 11am – 5pm
Joanna Grobosz
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, St Peter’s Square, Athlone, N37 A6D7
Rediscover the joys of traditional games with a weekend of fun in Athlone Castle’s courtyard. Visitors can enjoy playing popular games including, X&Os, Tumbling Tower, Connect Four, Snakes and Ladders, Hopscotch and more.
This free event does NOT include admission to Athlone castle Visitor Centre.
A selection of period costumes will also be available for visitors to try on, and this event is suitable for families and is specifically aimed at children.
Further information is available by phone at: 090 6442130 or email: info@athlonecastle.ie
VISITOR APP LAUNCH
Monday, August 15
10am - 4pm
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park
Travel through time and experience a unique outdoor adventure exploring tradition, heritage, nature, and activity! Meet the ancient Irish warrior Lugh, explore the roots of Irish music, or journey through the past and discover how rural communities lived throughout time – all in a visit to Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park!
To celebrate the launch of our new visitor app we are giving free entry to our park on Monday, August 15. This will give visitors the opportunity to download the app on their smartphone. The app grants access to rich content and local stories which will enhance the visitor experience.
Additionally, there will be 20% off all ticket purchases from Tuesday to Saturday, August 16 – 20. Free tickets can be secured by visiting the website of Dún na Sí.
We have many attractions for children including pet farm, fairy garden and playground.
Further information is available by phone at: 090 6481183 or by email: info@dunnasi.ie
ATHLONE POETS ON ATHLONE CANAL - UNVEILING NEW SIGN
Thursday, August 18
7pm - 8pm
Athlone Canal Heritage Committee
Athlone Canal, Talbot Avenue, Athlone
Poetry reading and official unveiling of 'Athlone Poets on Athlone Canal', a new installation featuring the work of five local poets, who have been inspired by the canal.
The event will take place on the northern stretch of the canal and refreshments will be served.
Further information is available by phone at: 087 6074496 or email: shayhamiltonathlone@gmail.com
FILM SCREENING - 'MEMORIES OF THE BIG HOUSE' & 'THE BLACKSMITH OF MOYDRUM'
Friday, August 19
7pm - 9pm
Westmeath Heritage Office
Tuar Ard Theatre, Church Street, Moate N37 X8P6
Screening 'Memories of the Big House' and 'The Blacksmith of Moydrum' and a chance to meet the producers and some of the contributors to the films.
'Memories of the Big House' is a series of 3 short films featuring interviews with many people who have family memories of, and connections to, the Big Houses of Westmeath. Exploring life in and around the Big Houses, the films focus on the years 1916–23.
Part one - ‘A last Taste of Luxury’ Explores life inside the Big House, particularly under the stairs and looking at those who worked there.
Part Two – ‘The World Changes’ Explores the beginning of the end of the dominance of the Big House and growth of new jobs and opportunities outside domestic service.
Part Three - ‘A Different Country’ Looks at the end of the Big House and covers agitation and incidents of the IRA in the various houses.
'The Blacksmith of Moydrum' is a short film about the Hatton family who were Blacksmiths to Lord Castlemaine of Moydrum Castle. The trade of Blacksmithing was passed down the generations and the family forge remains intact - you can see it in action in the film.
Refreshments will be served.
Further information is available by phone at: 087 6074496 or email: heritage@westmeathcoco.ie
SUSTAINABLE GARDENING
Thursday, August 18
Westmeath Libraries
Moate Library, Moate N37 EP22
Anna Browne of Big Sky Flowers is a Micro Flower Farmer in Mullingar. Selling beautiful, sustainable fragrant flowers locally, working in harmony with nature, and running workshops in Sustainable Living. Anna is hosting a number of gardening workshops in Westmeath Libraries, as part of our Inspire Your World at the Library programme of events. Funded by Creative Ireland.
Further information is available by phone at: 044 9332162 or email: dearbhla.sheridan@westmeathcoco.ie
LIVE DISPLAY OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE RIVER SHANNON
Saturday, August 20
10am - 5pm
Jan-Robert Baars
Coosan, Lough Ree
Coosan Point, Athlone N37 W4C9
Come see a display of some of our invasive alien species that are threatening the ecology of the River Shannon. A live display will be presented at the banks of Lough Ree by researchers that are monitoring and surveying the River Shannon. Meet our old and new invasive species and learn about their potential impacts on our native species.
Further information is available by phone at: 087 7422673 or email: janrobert.baars@ucd.ie
PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW AT ATHLONE CASTLE
Saturday, August 20
1pm - 1:30pm
Sunday, August 21
2:30pm - 3pm
Joanna Grobosz
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, St Peter’s Square, Athlone, N37 A6D7
Custard Pie Puppets are back in Athlone Castle!
This popular puppet theatre company will showcase a unique, Irish adaptation of a ‘Punch and Judy’ show. This ‘Punch and Judy’ show tells a story of a very naughty Mr. Punch that is left with the task of minding the baby while Judy gets busy with other important chores. Mr. Punch’s inability to take on the simplest of chores leads to hilarious consequences involving the Gardaí! A must see for all the family.
Custard Pie Puppets will perform two ‘Punch and Judy’ shows for children. Booking is essential as places are limited.
This free event does NOT include admission to Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
Further information is available by phone at: 090 6442130 or email: info@athlonecastle.ie
THE BIRDS OF LOUGH REE AND THE MID-SHANNON CALLOWS
Thursday, August 18
6:45pm - 7:45pm
Aidan Heavy Library, Athlone N37 N625
Join NPWS Warden for Lough Ree and the Mid-Shannon Callows and birdwatcher Owen Murphy for an llustrated talk on the Birds of Lough Ree and the Mid-Shannon Callows. Owen has worked on the Curlew Conservation programme and and is very knowledgeable on the birdlife of Lough Ree and the Mid Shannon Callows area. He will share his knowledge and photographs of the bird species found here as well as tips for birdwatching in the area.
Further information is available by phone at: 090 6442157 or email: athlib@westmeathcoco.ie
STORM THE CASTLE – OPEN DAY AT ATHLONE CASTLE
Wednesday, August 17
9:30am - 5pm
Joanna Grobosz
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, St Peter’s Square, Athlone N37 A6D7
Explore the Castle Visitor Centre during an open day with the Society for Creative Anachronism who will be on site with displays relating to life in a bygone Medieval village.
With this year’s theme of sustainable heritage, the message of the day will be: Waste not, want not.’ Members of the Society will answer questions including how people shopped in Medieval Times? What did they eat? This demonstration will show how materials were used to make clothes, accessories, household items etc. A selection of period costumes will also be available for visitors to try on.
Free admission to individual visitors on the day.
Highlights of the demonstrations will be recorded and shared on Athlone Castle social media channels.
Further information is available by phone at: 090 6442130 or email: info@athlonecastle.ie
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