10 things to do for Heritage Week

Heritage Week gets underway nationwide tomorrow (Saturday) and there’s a plethora of events on offer throughout Westmeath and Roscommon.
Lots of the events are suitable for the whole family and many of them are free of charge, although there are a handful of adult-only events and one or two require an admission fee or donation.
Full details of all events around the country are available at www.heritageweek.ie but here’s 10 events that you’ll find locally over the coming week, five in Westmeath and five in Roscommon.


WESTMEATH EVENTS         

Event: The Comhaltas Story
Where: Dún na Sí, Moate
When: 6.30pm to 8.30pm on August 26
Details: The Scéal Exhibition tells the story of Comhaltas. This along with dancers and musicians on the evening will allow people to hear and experience the story behind Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

1. Event: Journey through Ireland’s Past
Where: Dún na Sí, Moate
When: 2-4pm on August 23
Details: The Heritage Park at Dún na Sí takes you on a journey through Ireland’s past from ancient magical stone circle and the legendary warrior Lugh to the experience of life in a farmhouse 100 years ago.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

2. Event: Fireside Folk Tales
Where: Moate Museum
When: 3-5pm on August 25
Details: A relaxing and entertaining evening of bloodthirsty, funny, passionate and moving stories in the company of professional storyteller Doreen McBride.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: No

3. Event: Moate Castle Through the Ages
Where: Moate Library
When: August 22: 10.30am to 5.30pm; August 23: 12.30pm to 8pm; August 24: 10.30am to 5.30pm; August 25: 12.30pm to 8pm and August 26: 10.30am to 5pm
Details: A pictorial history of Moate Castle from its Quaker origins in the 1500s to the present day , focusing on the architecture of the house,the gardens,the sheela-na-gig and adjoining Quaker burial ground
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

4. Event: Guided Tour of Athlone Castle
Where: Athlone Caslte
When: August 20, 26 and 27: 2-3pm
Details: Come and follow in the footsteps of Kings and soldiers on this guided tour at Athlone Castle.
Admission: Adult €8, child €4 and family ticket €25
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

5. Event: Poetry in the Park Recital
Where: Athlone Castle
When: August 28 2-3pm
Details: Poetry in the Park a local community group are hosting a heritage recital in the castle courtyard.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes


ROSCOMMON EVENTS

1. Event: St John’s Hospital, Rinn Duin Afternoon
Where: St John’s Hospital, Rinn Duin
When: August 20 2-4.30pm
Details: Guided tours. Stories of the buried leg, the egg stealer and Ireland’s oldest dated grave. Talks by Anne Ridge on 19th century local burial customs and by herbalist Bridget Mayes on medicinal plants.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

2. Event: Visit to Traditional Thatched Cottage
Where: “Teac Luinín” Moyvannion, Kiltoom, Athlone.
When: August 20: 12-4pm; August 21: 12-4.05pm
Details: Visitors are welcome to explore a traditional thatched cottage , which was carefully re-thatched a few years ago to ensure that it remains a testament to Irish Design Heritage.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

3. Event: Exploring What Lies Beneath the Earthworks at Dundonnell Castle
Where: Taughmaconnell Community Centre
When: August 25 7.30pm to 9pm
Details: This talk will discuss the results of the 2015 and 2016 geophysical investigations and what they mean for our understanding of Dundonnell Castle and the Taughmaconnell area in the medieval period.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: Yes
Suitable for Children: No

4. Event: 1916 Talk/Commemoration Day
Where: Drum Heritage Centre
When: August 21 2-4pm
Details: A talk on 1916 and Nationalism during this period incorporating local issues by Eamon Leonard M.A .
A must for Heritage or Cultural enthusiasts.
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes

5. Event: Bog Walk @ Killeglan Bog
Where: Meet at Taughmaconnell Community Centre
When: August 21 1-3pm
Details: Bog walk to see the flora and fauna of Killeglan Bog with Ecologist David Fallon
Admission: Free
Booking Required: No
Suitable for Children: Yes