Anyone keen to celebrate our heritage should get their walking shoes on and go along to one of the more than 500 events organised as part of National Heritage Week. This annual celebration of our built and natural heritage begins tomorrow with special events in museums, castles, parks, forests and other historic and natural heritage sites. Here is a selection of events.
In Dublin the National Museum of Ireland in Kildare Street, Merrion Street (the Natural History Museum) and Collins Barracks has free guided tours during their extended opening hours tomorrow and next Sunday (noon to 5 p.m.). Museum staff will also demonstrate conservation techniques at 2 p.m. tomorrow and next Sunday in Collins Barracks. The Irish Landmark Trust will open its Georgian townhouse at 25 Eustace Street, Dublin 2 for guided tours on Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (tel: 01-6704733).
Dublin Civic Trust has organised architectural walking tours of of Dublin city at 10.30 a.m. daily, Monday to Friday (tel: 01-4756911). There are guided tours of the beautiful and hidden Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2 (meeting at the Clonmel Place gate) tomorrow, Friday and next Sunday at 2 p.m.
Walks around the country include: Coastal walks starting from Moran Park House in D·n Laoghaire are planned for tomorrow and next Sunday at 2 p.m. (tel: 01-2054700, ext. 4026).
A walk along the Wicklow Way starts in the car park at Lough Tay tomorrow at 2.30 p.m. The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland will lead a walking tour of the Dublin Dockland's canals, starting from the North Wall quay at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
In Galway city there are free daily heritage walks at 2.30 p.m. from tomorrow until next Sunday. The meeting point is St Nicholas's Collegiate Church.
Other events around the country include:
Free nature walks through the 50-acre park at Kilkenny Castle at 2 p.m. from tomorrow until next Sunday.
Battle re-enactments, medieval games and musical recitals throughout the week in Donegal Castle.
In Limerick, there are treasure trails, slideshows, poetry recitals and guided tours throughout the week.
In Co Longford, ╔anna N∅ Lamhna will explore the bog at the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre next Saturday. The naturalist and broadcaster will also be revealing the wildlife secrets at the Hill of Tara, Co Meath tomorrow from 2 p.m.
Many of these events are free, and various venues offer concessionary rates throughout Heritage Week. Most sites managed by D·chas, the Irish Heritage Service, offer free admission tomorrow and next Sunday. For a free booklet of events call 1850-600601 or 01-6472466. Also, details will be posted on www.gov.ie/alga
Web World
www.heritageireland.ie
This is the website of D·chas, the Heritage Service. It offers potential visitors an introduction to historic sites, parks and gardens and is an ideal place to check out opening hours, admission prices and on-site facilities such as restaurants.
horizons@irish-times.ie
