Dozens of Offaly events planned for Heritage Week

National Heritage Week 2023 is just around the corner, and with it are over 40 exciting and fascinating events taking place throughout Offaly.

This year's National Heritage Week will run from Saturday August 12 to Sunday August 20. The theme for this year is ‘Living Heritage’ which is defined as the practices, knowledge, and skills that have been passed from one generation to the next, and are still in use today.

Some of the events planned include:

Voices of Lemanaghan: An Evening Walk, Words, and Melodies

Saturday August 12.

Lemanaghan Bog Heritage & Conservation Group invite you to immerse yourself in the captivating heritage of Lemanaghan Monastic site with "Voices of Lemanaghan: An Evening Walk, Words, and Melodies." Join them for a remarkable event where history and local talent intertwine, celebrating the timeless beauty of this site.

Embark on a 150 meter stretch of the pilgrim path and discover the hidden treasure of Lemanaghan, St Mellas Cell. Pause to experience the magical ambiance of this sacred place and let your senses awaken to the whispers of history.

Enjoy the power of words and the artistry of local performers as they recite tales and verses, evoking the essence of Lemanaghan's past, connecting you with the vibrant tapestry of this remarkable site. Let the music carry you away as you listen to songs echo through the surroundings, adding a captivating layer to the event.

"Voices of Lemanaghan: An Evening Walk, Words, and Melodies" promises an extraordinary fusion of history, literature, and local talent. Come and be part of this unforgettable celebration of Lemanaghan's heritage.

The event will start at 7.15pm at Lemanaghan Monastic Site, Ballycumber, R35 HR61. It will last for approximately 45 minutes and is free to attend.

Guided Tour of Birr Castle

Sunday August 13 – Sunday August 20.

Birr Castle Demesne invite you to enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the magnificent interior of Birr Castle, home to the Parsons family for over 400 years. Visit five main reception rooms with their exquisite craftsmanship and the vast art and artefact collection.

Visitors can also hear about the castle's incredible legacy, which includes phenomenal achievements in science, astronomy, photography, engineering, and botany. There will be free time to explore the Great Telescope, ILOFAR, the science centre, and 120 acres of gardens and parklands.

Guided tours of Birr Castle (R42 VO27) run at 10am, 11:30am & 1pm, and are suitable for ages 12 plus.

Pre-booking is highly recommended as there is limited availability. You can book via their website, birrcastle.com. Entrance fees of €20 apply.

Putting the Tick Tock back into the Community Clock

St Mary's Church of Ireland, Shinrone on Tuesday, August 15.

High up in the Tower of St Mary's Church of Ireland is Offaly's oldest example of an intact turret clock.

Installed around 1823, it served to regulate the social, commercial, and religious rhythm of the wider Shinrone community for many years. More recently the passing of time had taken its toll, and the clock stopped working.

A project was commenced in 2023 to put the 'Tick-Tock Back Into The Community Clock'. With the support of Creative Ireland and Clare-based horologist Nigel Barnes, the clock underwent a sensitive conservation of works based on minimal intervention.

St Mary's Church of Ireland & Shinrone Heritage Group are delighted to have Nigel Barnes (a fifth-generation horologist!) explore the history of time and the clock's conservation journey as part of Heritage Week in Offaly.

The talk includes a short video which captures some steps in the conservation of what is rightly a wonderful part of Offaly's time keeping heritage.

The event will take place from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Shinrone Community Centre, R42 KD51. It is wheelchair accessible and suitable for families.

While it is free entry you can book beforehand. There will be light refreshments afterwards.

Earl Grey Orphan Scheme

August 16

Offaly libraries invite you to a lecture by Dr Ciarán Reilly about Edenderry Workhouse and the Earl Grey Orphan Scheme during the Famine

During the course of the Great Irish Famine some 4,414 young Irish girls between the ages of 13 and 18 were shipped to Australia as part of what was known as the 'Earl Grey Orphan Scheme'. These young girls were sent to Australia to relieve the burden on the Irish workhouse system which was extremely overcrowded during the Famine.

In total, 163 workhouses were built in Ireland in the 19th Century and Edenderry workhouse was amongst them. As part of the Earl Grey scheme sixteen young girls from the Edenderry workhouse were sent to Australia. This lecture will tell their story.

Dr Ciarán Reilly is an historian of 19th & 20th Century Irish History based at the Department of History, Maynooth University. He is author of a number of books on the Great Famine, including The Irish Land Agent, 1830-1860 and Strokestown and the Great Irish Famine.

This event will take place in Edenderry Library from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. It is wheelchair accessible and free to attend.

Brosna River Literary & Music Festival

Saturday August 19

The Brosna River Literary & Music Festival is a cross community intergenerational festival organised by Clara Heritage Society, celebrating the Brosna River. Inspired by the Brosna Relay Initiative, the festival provides an opportunity for the towns and villages along the banks of the river to share their music, poetry, and stories in the magnificent surrounds of the tree-lined auditorium in Clara House Demesne.

Performances include Carole Nelson, musician and composer, Clara's all Ireland winning ballad group, and poets and story tellers from local towns and villages. The festival is funded by Creative Ireland and light refreshments will be served, encouraging opportunity for social interaction.

The event will take place in Clara House, R35 T2D2, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. The house is a three minute-walk from the train station.

It is suitable for families and free to attend. Bookings can be made on eventbrite.