Culture and tradition takes centre stage as Longford gets ready for National Heritage Week

All across County Longford events to celebrate our traditions and who we are are being fine tuned to mark National Heritage Week.

The Office of Public Works have free weekend admission to a number of heritage sites for two days during National Heritage Week 2024.

With over 40 events listed Longford has something for everyone this year.

South Longford's Corlea Iron Age Roadway and Visitor Centre will be one of over 80 heritage sites offering free admission on August 17 and 18, the opening weekend of National Heritage Week 2024.

As Longford's oldest and most important heritage location the centre will also host a range of exhibitions, workshops and talks over the course of the week.

To the north of the county Knights & Conquest Heritage Centre, Rathcronan, Granard host a celebration of connections through time including our watercourses. This is one of the numerous events hosted by the Centre.

The Marie Edgeworth Centre in Edgeworthstown will also have a number of event for young an old over the week.

[Re]constructing the landed estates of Longford and Westmeath uses the resource of the Irish Landed Estates database and a talk will be held in Edgeworthstown Library on August 17, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

One of the most interesting events is Inchcleraun: Explore an island of ancient natural and water heritage is a Local Authority Waters Programme event commencing at Lough Ree Boat access point and Barley Harbour. This will take place on August 23, between 9:00am and 2:00pm. This Heritage week highlight is of a trip to an ancient island where sustainable practices of the local landowners are helping to protect a precious ecosystem for our future through preserving biodiversity and aiding water quality.

Quenching Drumlish's Thirst is a lecture on the 1916 Easter Rising with a Coach Tour coordinated by the Drumlish Heritage and History Society. It commences at Mary Street, Drumlish County on August 22, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

While The Workhouse – Ballymahon is a lecture by the ‘Leo Casey’ Historical Society that takes place at the Workhouse Road, Ballymahon, on August 22, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

There are also really interesting events happening; including mammal information in Derrycassin Woods.

Speaking about the events Kieran O’ Donnell, the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works said: “With more than 80 sites across the country, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. We hope that the public take full advantage of the range of creative, engaging, and imaginative events on offer for all ages.”

Keep your eye out for:

Sunday 18th August:

Event: “Relics of BNM Past” - A week long photographic Exhibition (Open 18^th August til the 25^th August.

Time: 2pm - 5pm (18th), then 10am - 5pm

(19th - 25th)

Location: Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, OPW, Keenagh, Co. Longford.

Link:https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/relics-of-a-bnm-past-week-long-photographic-exhibition-2

Event: SLÍ BEATHA - Our Way of Life: A celebration of connections through time including our watercourses.

Time: 2pm - 5pm

Location: Knights & Conquest Heritage Centre, Rathcronan, Granard, Co. Longford.

Link:https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/all-aboard-sailing-through-time-on-lough-gowna

Tuesday 20th August:

Event: Guided Mammal Information Walk.

Time: 2.30pm - 4pm

Location: Derrycassin Woods, Derrycassin, Dring, Co. Longford.

Link:https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/guided-mammal-information-walk

Event: Bat Walk and Talk.

Time: 8.30pm - 10pm

Location: Newcastle Woods Car Park, Newcastle Woods, Ballymahon, Co. Longford.

Link:https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/bat-walk-and-talk-4

Wednesday 21st August.

Event: Biodiversity Action PlanTalk.

Time: 2.30pm - 4pm

Location: Lanesborough Library, Main Street, Lanesborough, Co.Longford.

Link:https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/biodiversity-action-plan-talk

Sunday 25th August (Water Heritage Day).

Event: Water Heritage Day:

Water, Bogs & Mythology.

Time: 11:30am - 12:15pm

Location: Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, O.P.W, Keenagh, Co. Longford.

Link:https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/water-heritage-day-water-bogs-mythology