Fantastic line up for National Heritage Week in Roscommon

A day of automotive history at Strokestown Park, heritage boat tours of Lough Ree, pollinator workshops at Castlerea Library and discovering the history and evolution of the telephone network in Boyle are among the many free events taking place across Roscommon during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday August 17th to Sunday August 25th.

Local heritage groups and organisers, families, communities and individuals in Roscommon have responded to this year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ by organising events showcasing the best of what Roscommon’s local heritage has to offer. Well over 2,000 events will take place nationwide with a full list available on the National Heritage Week website.

Coordinated by the Heritage Council, some other highlights from this year’s National Heritage Week programme in Roscommon also include:

Roscommon Sheep - Exploring their Roots and Connections, Rathcroghan Visitors Centre (23 August, 7pm to 8.30pm) - A breed of Roscommon sheep facing extinction is now being brought back from the brink by a dedicated group of breeders. Find out more in an evening of talks, photograph displays and wool crafting.

A Virtual Railway Journey as a Reflection on Community and Economic Experiences of our Ancestors, Lecarrow (23 August, 8pm to 9.30pm) - This talk focuses on the global development of railways during the early 1800’s and the establishment of the Midland Great Western Railway which came into service in Broadstone Dublin in 1847 and extended as far as Clifden in Co. Galway.

Mindful Connections on the Forest Trails, Mote Park, Roscommon (24 August, 3pm to 4pm) - Join Patricia Blighe for a walk with a difference to connect mindfully with nature and the landscape along the forest trail at Derrydonnell, Mote Park, Roscommon.

Commenting, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said:

“Browsing through the over 2,000 events taking place during National Heritage Week this year gives a sense of the shear variety and colour of our nation’s heritage – they cover nature, culture, music, traditions, folklore, writing, history, architecture, archaeology, archives and so much more. It is also a sign of the strength of the sector, the depth of knowledge people have and their generosity in sharing that knowledge. Many of the events are volunteer led, organised by dedicated people who seek no recompense or adulation. We must never take these people for granted and I will continue unapologetically to mention them at every opportunity, such is their importance not only to National Hertiage Week, but to the preservation of Irish heritage in general.” 

Two themed days will take place during National Heritage Week. On Saturday 24th of August, Wild Child Day encourages children and families to explore the heritage in their locality. On Sunday, 25th of August, the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme invite people to explore National Heritage Week projects that celebrate water and our connections with it.

For more information and a full list of events, visit www.heritageweek.ie.