Heritage Week returns with packed programme
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Heritage Week is back, and this year's festivities offer an array of exciting events taking place at heritage sites across Athlone, South Westmeath, South Roscommon and West Offaly.
Running from Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 24, Heritage Week 2025 will celebrate the rich tapestry of our shared past through a packed schedule of hands-on workshops and guided tours, to talks on stories passed down through generations. Whether you're a born and bred local, or a curious visitor, there's something for everyone to enjoy throughout the week.
Organised by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events. The OPW is pleased to support National Heritage Week to ensure individuals, groups and families can get out and explore what Ireland’s heritage sites has to offer.
This year’s theme, "Exploring Our Foundations", invites us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us.
ATHLONE
Guided visit to St Mary's Church
WHERE: Athlone Union of Parishes, St Mary's Church, Church Street, Athlone
WHEN: 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 August, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
A Photographic and Audio Presentation on Athlone's Town Walls
WHERE: Athlone Library, Civic Offices, Athlone
WHEN: 16 August, 9.45am - 1.30pm
18 August, 9.45am - 5.30pm
19 August, 9.45am - 8pm
20 August, 9.45am - 5.30pm
21 August, 9.45am - 8pm
22 August, 9.45am - 5pm
23 August, 9.45am – 1.30pm
Market Day in Connaught Gardens
WHERE: Connaught Gardens, Athlone
WHEN: Sunday, 17 August, 12pm - 4pm
WHAT: Market stalls, food, music, free face painting & family fun. Athlone Pipe Band parade from Dean Crowe Theatre at 11.50am to Connaught Gardens, followed by a short introduction to the history of St Peter’s churchyard, a forgotten gem of old Athlone and then from 2-3pm, a live performance from the Army Band and a trad session at McNeill's Corner.
An Evening of Nature Discussions
WHERE: St Mary's Hall, Located above Abbey Road Artists Studios, Northgate St, Athlone
WHEN: 18 August, 7.30Pm – 9pm
WHAT: The start of a journey to form Athlone’s first Biodiversity Group, facilitated by Owen Murphy (Breeding Waders EIP) and Christina Sweeney (Biodiversity Office, Westmeath County Council).
Athlone Biodiversity Workshop Preserving the Past through Our Food Culture
WHERE: Athlone Library, Athlone Civic Centre, Athlone
WHEN: 19 August, 11am – 12.15pm
Commemorative 200th Anniversary of the Construction of the Low Road
WHERE: Heritage Centre, Glasson
WHEN: 24 August, 12.30pm – 3pm
WHAT: A guided walk along the historic Low Road, where you can explore its rich heritage and stories. At the Glasson Heritage Centre, enjoy a fascinating photography exhibition that brings the past to life through images of the road and the village over the years. Family-friendly entertainment and refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.
The No 1 Battery and the Lost Batteries of Athlone. an Illustrated Talk
WHERE: The Aidan Heavey Library, Civic Offices, Church St, Athlone
WHEN: 20 August, 3pm – 4pm
Goldsmith Country Heritage Tour
WHERE: Three Jolly Pigeons., The Pigeons, Westmeath
WHEN: 20 August, 6pm – 8pm
Carn Famine Village
WHERE: Carn, N91 FY54
WHEN: 24 August, 10.15am - 12pm
WHAT: Join Seamus O'Brien, Historian and author of 'A Forgotten Westmeath Famine Village' for a walk along the original roadway to Carn village. See the upstanding remains of the village and hear about the Great Hunger and the stories connecting Carn with the neighbouring parishes of Ballymore, Conroy and international communities.
Booking essential, please book by calling 087 6443742 or 087 2658138
Echoes of Old Athlone Street Theatre
WHERE: The Hollow, Battery Bridge, Beside Walsh's Supermarket/Bar
WHEN: 24 August, 1pm – 4pm
WHAT: Culture Day in the Hollow, including an Over 40’s 5-a-Side Football Final 1pm, and Broderick’s Women, a piece of street theatre, adapted by Gearoid O’Brien from a novel by John Broderick – performance by Athlone Little Theatre, Directed by Chrissie Keane, at 3pm, with live music and stalls, from 4pm till late.
Exploring Athlone Town Wall
WHERE: Athlone Civic Office, Church St, Athlone
WHEN: 19 August, 7pm – 8pm
Guided Tour of Athlone Castle and Historical Garden
WHERE: Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, St Peter’s Square, Athlone
WHEN: 19 - 22 August, 3pm – 4.30pm
Learn to Explore your Community's Amateur Drama History
WHERE: Athlone Little Theatre, St. Mary's Place, Athlone
WHEN: 23 August, 10am – 12pm
Storm the Castle! Athlone Castle Free Open Day
WHERE: Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, St Peter’s Square, Athlone
WHEN: 16 August, 10.30am – 5.30pm
Conservation Report For St. Colmcille's Church and Grounds, Ballinahown
WHERE: Ballinahown Church, Ballinahown, Athlone
WHEN: 21 August, 10.30am – 11am
Voices from Behind the Curtain
WHERE: Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone
WHEN: 22 August, 8pm – 9.30pm
Voices of the Region. Highlights from the TUS Archive
WHERE: TUS Library. Midlands, Technological University of the Shannon. Midlands Midwest, University Road, Athlone
WHEN: 22 August, 10.15am – 12.30pm
MOATE
Bugs, Flowers and a Fairy Lake
WHERE: ún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park, Lake Road, Moate
WHEN: 23 August, 2pm – 4pm
Moate Biodiversity Workshop Preserving the Past through Our Food Culture
WHERE: Moate Library, Main Street
WHEN: 19 August, 2pm – 3:15pm
Moate Mart - Photographs and Paraphernalia
WHERE: Moate Library, Moate Courthouse, Main Street
WHEN: 18 August, 11am – 12pm
St. Brigid’s Cross Weaving
WHERE: Dún na Sí Heritage Park, Lake Road, Moate
WHEN: 17 August, 11am - 11:45am, 12pm – 12:45pm, 1pm – 1:45pm
The Heart of Rural Crafts in Ireland
WHERE: Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, Lake Road, Moate
WHEN: 23 August, 11am – 2pm
WHAT: Wetland Wonders: Meet Our Feathered Wader Friends
WHERE: Dún na Sí Amenity Park, Lake Road, Moate
WHEN: 20 August, 2pm - 3pm
SOUTH ROSCOMMON
Book Launch - Master Hoare’s History of Knockcroghery.
WHERE: Knockcroghery Community Centre, Knockcroghery, Roscommon
WHEN: 22 August, 8pm – 9:15pm
Guided Ecology & Heritage Walk at Ballyforan Bog
WHERE: Ballyforan Greenway, Derryfadda FP7C+M3 Ahascragh
WHEN: 23 August, 11am – 2pm
Guided Walk on the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project
WHERE: Moore Hall, Moore Hall, Lakeland, Ballydangan, Athlone
WHEN: 16 August, 4:30pm – 6pm
Guided visit to St Mary's Church
WHERE: Athlone Union of Parishes, St Mary's Church, Church Street, Athlone
WHEN: 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 August, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Our Woodland Heritage with the Native Woodland Trust: Lecarrow Reserve
WHERE: Lecarrow Wood Reserve and Nursery, https://maps.app.goo.gl/aZmBmKuGMEybAfpE8
WHEN: 23 August, 10:30am – 2pm
Walk Talk & Boat Trip
WHERE: Portrun Harbour, Portrun, Roscommon
WHEN: 19 August, 11am – 2pm, 12:30pm - 4pm