Varied local programme of mostly-online events for Heritage Week
For the second year in succession, the organisers of Heritage Week have had to adapt to the challenges posed by public health restrictions.
And although there will be some in-person events this year, online productions will again make up the vast majority of the Heritage Week programme which gets underway this Saturday and continues until Sunday, August 22.
In 2019, the most recent year of widespread in-person gatherings, there were almost 2,000 Heritage Week events taking place nationally.
But despite a lower number of events overall, this year will continue to bring plenty of interesting talks, publications, and activities designed to give a deeper insight into our past and present.
Here's a guide to some of the heritage events happening in Westmeath and Roscommon during the first half of the week, from Saturday to Wednesday next, August 18. Further details are available on the Heritage Week website.
WESTMEATH
AUGUST 14
* Treasures from the Shannon
This virtual tour is being presented by Athlone Castle Cultural Assistant David Landers, who is an archaeologist with experience in museums and heritage institutions.
David will deliver a brief history of Neolithic stone axe heads, which were found in the River Shannon, as well as delving into their importance and use in Prehistoric Ireland.
The tour can be enjoyed online from the comfort of your own home. It takes place on Saturday, August 14, at 5pm, on Athlone Castle's social media channels.
* Bow-Making during the 100 Years War
Jack Pinson of Living Longbows will demonstrate a depiction of longbow-making as it might have looked during the 100 years war in the 15th century. Jack is a master bowyer with the Craft Guild of Bowyers and Fletchers and has been making traditional and historic reproduction longbows for more than a decade.
Jack’s demonstration will be streamed live on Athlone Castle's Instagram account on Saturday at 1pm. The recording of this live demonstration will be available afterwards on Athlone Castle’s social media channels.
AUGUST 15
* Traditional Music Session at Athlone Castle
Join a selection of the best local traditional musicians and singers for a performance of lively tunes and songs. Singer, songwriter and actor Fia Rua is joined by Neil Fitzgibbon on fiddle and Adam Downey on percussion to bring live music back to the grounds of Athlone Castle.
Fia Rua & Friends will entertain visitors to Athlone Castle Visitor Centre performing traditional music for everyone to enjoy in person or virtually.
The performance will take place on Sunday, August 15, at 1pm and will be streamed live on Athlone Castle's Instagram. The recording will be available afterwards on Athlone Castle's social media channels.
AUGUST 16
* Three Royal Castles: Athlone, Rindoon and Roscommon
This talk by Dr Kieran O’Conor will explore the history of three castles in the Midlands. Athlone, Rindoon and Roscommon were once considered as royal fortresses guarding the line of the Shannon. Dr O'Conor will look at their importance as medieval structures and will give us an insight as to why they were once considered amongst the most important royal buildings in Ireland in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
Kieran's talk will be hosted by Athlone Castle, via Zoom, on Monday at 1pm. The event is free, but pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited. Email info@athlonecastle.ie to book. The recording of this talk will afterwards be available on Athlone Castle's social media channels
AUGUST 16 - AUGUST 20
* Dún na Sí Heritage Park Guided Tours
Take a step back in time in rural Ireland with a free guided tour of Dún na Sí Heritage Park in Moate. Dún na Sí celebrates the rural heritage of Ireland with an outdoor heritage trail featuring monuments and buildings used by farming communities from prehistoric times up until the present day. The guided tour provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to see what life was like in rural Ireland throughout the past.
The free guided tours will take place daily, at 11am and 2pm, from Monday, August 16, to Friday, August 20. Spaces must be booked in advance, and are limited, so early booking is advised. To book, contact 090-6481183 or email: heritageweek@dunnasi.ie
AUGUST 17
* Viking Ship Workshop for Children
Joanna Grobosz, the Cultural Officer at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, presents this virtual children's workshop.
At Athlone Castle, learning and play go hand in hand. Watch Joanna as she creates a replica Viking Boat out of cardboard box and paper plates. This exciting craft tutorial can be viewed online from your own home, allowing the audience to engage and create as the video unfolds.
This Virtual Workshop will be available on Athlone Castle's social media channels on Tuesday, August 17, at 1pm.
* How Athlone Got Its Name
Who was Luan anyway? Let's find out! Annette and Anne, of Scéalta Beo, went searching, as far back as the written word would lead, to find out more, and they have lots of interesting stories to tell. Watch Annette and Anne's video to learn all about the adventures that led to the naming of Athlone.
This event will be available on Athlone Castle's social media channels on Tuesday, August 17 at 5pm.
AUGUST 18
* Material Culture of the Irish Revolution
During this live demonstration, Dave Swift of Claíomh Living History and Military Heritage Group will give an introduction to the Material Culture of the Irish revolutionary period, 1913-1922. He will explain the purpose and stories behind a select military and domestic artefacts and reproductions of the era encompassing the Irish Volunteers, Cumann na mBan, the RIC and the British Army.
This demonstration will be streamed live on Athlone Castle's Instagram on Wednesday, August 18, at 1pm. The recording of this live demonstration will afterwards be available on Athlone Castle's social media channels.
ROSCOMMON
AUGUST 14
* At the Abbey
Roscommon County Council in association with Boyle Arts Festival and Heritage Week will host 'At the Abbey' this Saturday at 9.30pm. This is a dance, music, film, lighting effects and projections event live from Boyle Abbey, supported by the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
A stunning film by Emma Brennan will be projected on to walls of the atmospheric ruins of Boyle Abbey, portraying a new dance piece performed and choreographed by renowned contemporary dance artist Mintesinot Wolde with music composed by Emma Brennan. For more information contact the council's Arts Officer at 09066 37321 or rmcgrath@roscommoncoco.ie , or see https://www.boylearts.com/
AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 18
* Magic of Culture & Nature in the Uí Maine Kingdom
The Celtic Eye Art Group are a newly-established group consisting of artists, poets and a Herbalist, based in South Roscommon, with the aim of highlighting awareness of the importance of biodiversity, heritage, culture, folklore and protecting the unique karst landscape.
The group is organising a variety of events for National Heritage Week, such as an art exhibition in Taughmaconnell Community Centre (August 14); art displays on its Facebook page (August 16 & 18); and a Facebook video of Herbalist Paula Sharkey on the natural habitat of South Roscommon (August 17).
ANYTIME
* Wander Through Roscommon with Rossie the Heritage Duck
Roscommon County Council is delighted to introduce you to 'Rossie the Heritage Duck', the star of its Creative Roscommon Young Visitor Project. Rossie aims to encourage families and young children to celebrate and explore a series of outdoor heritage sites in the county through a collection of fun and creative resources.
Children are encouraged to visit, colour, and read about a number of key heritage sites in County Roscommon, namely, Roscommon Castle, Roscommon Abbey, Lough Key, Boyle Abbey, Elphin Windmill and Tulsk Abbey.
Printable resources have been made available with interesting facts and stories about each heritage site, colouring pages featuring images of the site and a map of County Roscommon detailing the key locations of heritage sites in the county.
Through a collaboration with artist Catherine Fanning and writer Maura Gilligan, the Young Visitor Project features a number of resources including drawings, stories and information which are available as printable downloads on www.visitroscommon.ie