Old-fashioned steam train to visit Kilkenny as part of Heritage Week

The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, has today launched the 25th edition of National Heritage Week, which takes place nationwide from Saturday, 17th to Sunday 25th August 2024.

A highlight includes an old-fashioned steam train journey from Dublin to Kilkenny on Sunday, August 18th, courtesy of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.

National Heritage Week is an annual event dedicated to celebrating Ireland's rich heritage, with thousands of activities and events occurring across the country.

This year’s theme, Connections, Routes, and Networks will explore the many ways we are linked through our heritage – from physical pathways like roads, canals, and trails to cultural ties through family, pastimes, history and traditions.

Heritage Week is an all-island event with many free events taking place in every county, meaning events will be accessible to everybody with an interest in any aspect of heritage.  People can easily find events in their locality by visiting https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings and using the search filter to discover events tailored to their interests. New events will be added right up until the start of Heritage Week.

Other highlights across the country include  workshop on repairing beautiful old stone walls in Galway with The Friends of Merlin Woods, The Festival of Lost Skills in Co. Clare on August 17, where Common Knowledge will host a celebration of traditional music and dance with a focus on heritage skills and The Woodstown Viking Festival on Saturday, August 25th, bringing Waterford’s most famous Viking site to life.

People wishing to register a local event can continue to do so via the Organisers’ Portal on the website, even during Heritage Week: https://www.heritageweek.ie/portal

 Speaking in Connolly Station before travelling by steam train to Drogheda and Beaulieu House, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, expressed his excitement ahead of Heritage Week this summer:

“National Heritage Week excels in uniting Ireland's built, natural, and cultural heritage into one vibrant festival. Over the past 25 years, it has significantly raised awareness and appreciation of our heritage, fostering more informed perspectives, changing hearts and minds, and ensuring the preservation of our incredible resources. As the Minister of State for Heritage, I am privileged to collaborate daily with the passionate individuals who organise these events. I regularly witness their extraordinary efforts to bring our heritage to life, showcasing the remarkable dedication that fuels this celebration each year.”

Chairperson of the Heritage Council Martina Moloney praised the crucial role of volunteers and community groups:

"Our volunteers and community groups are the foundation of this wonderful festival of heritage. Their dedication and generosity ensure the success of Heritage Week, offering diverse and enriching experiences for anybody with even a passing interest in heritage. The invaluable support of local authority heritage and biodiversity officers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes, also cannot be overstated. I want to thank all these contributors for the work they do not just in the run up to and during National Heritage Week, but all year round."

Speaking at the launch, Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Lottery said:  “The National Lottery is delighted to continue its partnership with The Heritage Council for this year's Heritage Week 2024. Through the Good Causes program, we value and appreciate the impact of the work carried out by the hundreds of amazing heritage groups every year who receive National Lottery funding through The Heritage Council.  As a partner, we are so proud to shine a light on this wonderful initiative and the themed events that educate and inspire communities to connect and explore the many ways we are linked through heritage.”

Long-time partner Fáilte Ireland has come on board again as a partner in 2024. Mary Stack, Head of Attractions at Fáilte Ireland said:

“Fáilte Ireland is pleased to once again support National Heritage Week which celebrates Ireland’s rich culture and heritage, which makes up an important part of our tourism offering. This year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes, and Networks’ invites us to explore the many links heritage weaves through our lives. From developing walking and cycling trails that connect us to the incredible Irish landscape, to creating immersive visitor experiences that celebrate our ancient built and cultural heritage, Fáilte Ireland recognises the significant appeal of our unique heritage to visitors. We look forward to this year’s National Heritage Week programme of demonstrations, workshops, music, re-enactments, tours and talks which will create truly memorable cultural experiences for domestic and international visitors and locals across the country.”

Heritage Week 2024 is made possible with the support of our partners - The National Lottery, Fáilte Ireland, the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Irish Landmark Trust, the Local Authority Heritage and Biodiversity Officer Networks, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

Coordinated by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events. This year, a special Heritage Week supplement will be published in the Irish Times on Friday, August 16th, providing an in-depth look at specific events and the stories of the people behind them.

For more information and to find events near you, visit www.heritageweek.ie