Busy Heritage Week in Offaly

Rebekah O'Reilly has selected some of the most interesting events from the Heritage Week schedule for this guide, which is sure to feature something of interest for all ages.

'Offaly’s Vernacular Heritage'

Dr Barry O’Reilly will present a talk in John's Hall in Birr on August 22 from 6pm to 7.30pm on 'Offaly’s Vernacular Heritage and how the State is Helping'. Dr O'Reilly studied archaeology and folklore/folklife in UCD and has been enthusing about our built vernacular heritage ever since. Booking is required for this event, and can be found on HeritageWeek.ie. For further information get in touch with the Irish Georgian Society & the IGS Birr Chapter & Offaly County Council by phone on 01 6798675 or by email at emmeline.henderson@igs.ie.

A Celebration of Traditional Craft in Offaly - Past and Present

Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore invites the community to join them on August 20 from 7.30pm to 9pm for an evening which will feature films from the National Museum of Ireland collection and two new films from 2024 featuring the tradition of basket making and ‘God in a Bottle’. There will also be an exhibition of panels highlighting aspects of Traditional Architecture in Offaly by Rachel McKenna, architect with Offaly County Council. They ask that you book your seat with Esker Arts Centre. For further information get in touch by phone at 057 9383801 (Esker Arts Centre) or by email at heritage@offalycoco.ie.

Daingean's Heritage Trail

Meet at Daingean Town Hall on Wednesday, August 21, at 7pm or Saturday, August 25 at 3pm for a leisurely walk around the town to visit many noted historical sites. You will be treated to a short video of each site while you are at the location. This is possible through the installation of QR codes that can be read by your phone and will allow the video to play on your phone. There are 12 sites that have QR code and videos with information. For further information get in touch with Daingean Development Association by phone on 0862620680 or by email at daingeantidytowns@gmail.com.

The Great Famine in the Edenderry Area

Edenderry Library will host a talk on August 21 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm to explore how we can use archives to connect with stories from the past. In this talk Dr Ciaran Reilly will explain how recently discovered archives shed light on the impact of the Great Famine in the Edenderry and Rhode area. Dr Ciarán Reilly is an historian of 19th & 20th Century Irish History based at the Department of History, Maynooth University. Booking is required, please contact Edenderry Library directly on 046 9731028 or edenderrylibrary@offalycoco.ie.

Charleville Castle Open Day

Charleville Castle in Tullamore invites the community to join them on August 17 from 12 pm to 4 pm to sit and admire the beauty or meander in the supervised areas. There are no charges and parking is free of charge. The castle is considered to be the best example of neo-gothic architecture in Ireland, having been designed by Francis Johnston for the Earl of Charleville, Charles William Bury in 1798. Located in the heart of the last surviving primordial oak woods of Ireland, it took 14 years to build, with each addition becoming more elaborate than the last. For further information get in touch with Charleville Castle Heritage Trust by phone on 0877664110 or by email at dudcastle@gmail.com.

Carrigeen Farmhouse Traditional Music Evening

The 2019 Heritage Hero Award winners are delighted to welcome visitors back to their uniquely surviving vernacular family home. Everyone welcome to bring an instrument or song and join the craic agus ceol. This event will run on August 17 from 5.30pm to 7pm in Carrigeen, Fivealley, Birr. For further information get in touch with Carrigeen Farmhouse by phone on 0876989650 or by email at annemaria.egan@gmail.com.

Botany Walk on Clara Bog Nature Reserve

Clara Bog Nature Reserve invite the community to join them on August 21 from 3pm to 4.30pm for a botany walk and talk on Tony’s Hill. Led by Fiona Devery from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and Clara Bog Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Booking is essential and can be done by contacting claraguides@npws.gov.ie. For further information get in touch with Clara Bog Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre by phone at 0579368878 or by email at claraguides@npws.gov.ie.

Brosna River Literary & Music

Clara Heritage Society is hosting The Brosna River Literary & Music Festival which focuses on the spoken word through the telling or stories and reciting of poems. The event takes place on August 24 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Clara House Estate.

Music also has the capacity to draw people together, and musicians Ros & Fraser with their interesting twist on Irish music, along with local singers, will enliven the event. There will be art and music workshops for children prior to the event, where children are welcome to explore the beauty of nature around them and explore the sounds of the instruments. The festival is accessible by rail, a 5min walk from the station. If you have extra mobility needs, please contact claraheritagesociety@email.com or phone 0852534711 to ensure that accommodation is in place. Book your seat at the festival and a place on the workshop for the children on Eventbrite or email or Facebook Clara Heritage Society.

Heritage Week-Cruise in Company - Pollagh to Tullamore

Heritage Boat Association is hosting an event along the banks of the canal from Pollagh to Tullamore on August 24 from 10am to 6pm as a group of vintage canal boats will travel in convoy on the day. For further information get in touch with Heritage Boat Association by phone on 0872426249 or by email at colin_becker@iwai.ie.

Guided tour of Birr Castle

Birr Castle Demesne is offering a rare opportunity to visit the magnificent interior of Birr Castle, home to the Parsons family for over 400 years. Visit the five main reception rooms with their exquisite craftsmanship and vast art and artefact collection. Also hear about their incredible legacy including phenomenal achievements in science, astronomy, photography, engineering and botany. Following the guided tour, there will be free time to explore the Great Telescope, ILOFAR, the Science Centre and 120 acres of gardens and parklands. The tours run from August 17 to August 25 from 10am to 2pm at Rosse Row in Birr.

For further information get in touch with Birr Castle Demesne by phone on 0579120336 or by email at mail@birrcastle.com,