THE County Donegal Heritage Office is inviting community groups, heritage organisations, environmental groups, cultural organisations and individuals across the county who are organising events for National Heritage Week to attend a free lunchtime event.
It will be held at 1pm on Friday, July 31 in the Donegal County Museum.
National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 15 to Sunday, August 23 this year.
The County Donegal Heritage Office will provide event organisers with free National Heritage Week-branded merchandise and promotional materials at the lunchtime event.
Máire Ní Fhearraigh from the County Donegal Heritage Office will provide a short presentation on how local organisers can use Canva – the free-to-use graphic design programme – to best promote their events.
All Heritage Week events registered by the end of July will be included in the four-page County Donegal Heritage Week Event Guide that will be compiled and published in local newspapers in advance of Heritage Week. A variety of online resources to support Heritage Week event organisers is also available on-line at: www.heritageweek.ie
This year’s theme is ‘Heritage at Risk’ and invites communities to explore and celebrate aspects of our heritage that are under threat and in need of protection. The theme encourages people to reflect on the importance of safeguarding our natural, built, archaeological and cultural heritage for future generations.
Events can focus on a wide range of topics including endangered wildlife and habitats, safeguarding traditional building skills and cultural practices, the conservation of archaeological sites, and highlighting the importance of our archives, folklore, language and local traditions.
As part of the Heritage Open Doors initiative, people or organisations are being encouraged to open an historic house or property to the public anytime during Heritage Week. Further details and supports are available from the County Donegal Heritage Office.
Two days during Heritage Week also have a particular theme: Saturday, August 22 is ‘Wild Child Day’ and encourages children and families to make the most of the outdoors to enjoy and explore the heritage and biodiversity in their locality. Sunday, August 23 is ‘Water Heritage Day’ and celebrates Ireland’s water, our connections with it and how our history and heritage has been shaped by the sea, rivers, lakes and wetlands.
Groups or individuals interested in organising an event or who would like to attend the free lunchtime event are encouraged to contact the County Donegal Heritage Office which is part of the Culture Division of Donegal County Council by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (074) 916 3824.