Witch trial tours of Kilkenny, morning walks in abandoned medieval village - lots on for Heritage Week

Witch trial tours of Kilkenny, morning walks in an abandoned medieval village in Jerpoint, a steam train journey into MacDonagh Junction and a behind-the-scenes look at the Butler Gallery collection are among the many free events taking place across Kilkenny during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday, August 17 to Sunday, August 25.

Local heritage groups and organisers, families, communities and individuals in Kilkenny have responded to this year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ by organising events showcasing the best of what Kilkenny’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 Kilkenny also include:

Wild Child Adventures & Heritage Open Day at The Heritage Council (24 August, 12pm to 4pm) – Come to the Heritage Council headquarters to celebrate Wild Child Day with an afternoon of fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy. There is an exciting lineup of activities designed to connect kids with nature, spark creativity, and create lasting memories.

An evening at Boland’s Mills in Kells (21 August, 7pm to 8.30pm) - Celebrating the natural and built heritage of the Kings River, this event will explore the mill, mill race and the angling on the Kings River.

The Pilgrims Way, at St Mary’s Church (22 – 23 August, 11am to 1pm) - Embark on a captivating journey through Kilkenny's rich history with the Pilgrim’s Way Walking Tour, highlighting the abundance of holy wells that weave the story of this medieval city. This tour traces the footsteps of ancient pilgrims, exploring the evolution of wells from their pagan origins to revered religious sites.

Mass Paths & Holy Wells Workshop, Mayfair Library Kilkenny (21 August, 2.30pm to 4.30pm) – Join Marion Sutton and Pat Reid who will demonstrate how to record your local heritage using freely available on-line technology. This workshop invites members of the public to develop their heritage skills and also learn about the County Kilkenny Mass Path and Holy Wells surveys.

“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," said Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan.
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"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, August 24, Wild Child Day encourages children and families to explore the heritage in their locality. On Sunday, August 25, 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.