National Heritage Week kicks off in Mayo this weekend

Foraging and song by the River Moy, pond dipping at Bohola Community Park, recording place names at Tourmakeady and restoring the Pattern to Kilgeever Holy Well in Louisburgh are among the many free events taking place across Mayo during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday next, August 17, to Sunday, August 25.

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

Voices of the Village: Robert Henri’s Dooagh Sitters, Gielty’s Bar, Achill (22 August, 5pm to 7pm) – The Museum of Childhood Ireland have completed an oral history relating to the sitters of artist Robert Henri's portraits painted between 1913 - 1928 in his home at Corrymore House, Dooagh.

Most all of the sitters were children from Dooagh who have now passed away and the project set about to interview their relatives and bring this cultural phenomenon to the fore.

'Weather forecasting in the climate of Ireland', with Joanna Donnelly and Mayo Dark Sky Festival, W Cinema Westport (17 August, 12pm to 1pm) - The Friends of Mayo Dark Skies will host a special free event in the W Cinema Westport featuring a talk by meteorologist and author Joanna Donnelly of RTÉ and Met Éireann on the science behind weather forecasting in the climate of Ireland.

The History of Beekeeping in Ireland, National Museum of Ireland - Country Life (24 August, 12pm – 4pm) - Join members of Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Association to explore the history of beekeeping in Ireland; enjoy a live demonstration from the Museum's rooftop bee garden and visit 'The Murmur of Bees' exhibition which celebrates the influence of bees on our culture and environment.

Exploring Ancient Routes of Croagh Patrick, Croagh Patrick Community Cafe, Murrisk (17 August, 11am to 1.30pm) - Irish Uplands Forum will explore the natural heritage of the ancient pilgrim route taken to the summit of Croagh Patrick - exploring the geology, ice sculpting of the landscape, ecology and agriculture, as part of our evolving Heritage StoryMap.

Commenting, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said: “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.

"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.