Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, has launched National Heritage Week 2023, which takes place nationwide from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 of August. Celebrating all aspects of Irish heritage, a colourful range of events and projects will take place across the country as communities, families, holiday-makers and people of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to get out and explore their heritage.

Over 1,000 free events and projects have already been announced with that figure expected to rise to approximately 2,000 before the festivities kick off.

Galleries, gardens, historic houses, barnyards and studios will play host to events - covering everything from architecture to archaeology, film to foraging, philosophy to genealogy and music to storytelling. Walks, talks and workshops will satisfy those heritage curious ones amongst us, who can search for events taking place in their area either by county or by topic from the National Heritage Week website.

This year's theme for National Heritage Week is ‘Living Heritage’ - defined as the practices, knowledge and skills that have been passed from one generation to the next, and are still in use today. With this theme in mind, many events and projects will focus on keeping these crafts and skills alive, with this year’s launch having taken place at the workshop of Tom McDonnell and James Collins, two of the last remaining men practicing the dying trade of Traveller tinsmithing.

Some event highlights this year include:

• 'Discover Blacksmithing' in Limerick, where attendees can immerse themselves in a free four-day course, learning the skills of blacksmithing
• ‘Genealogy One To One’ in Kilkenny, where people can book a private session with a genealogy expert to discover the history of their family
• A screening of the mesmerising film It’s a Fine Thing to Sing will take place in Donegal, featuring Ian Lynch (Lankum), Ye Vagabonds and The Henry Girls arranging and singing six songs from Clonmany and Buncrana singers
• Learn how to create a willow basket in County Cork with a family friendly workshop
• ‘The Fair of Muff’ in Cavan will reenact the ancient Celtic festival where visitors can try their hand at fair games like the old Penny Toss and Skittles

Anybody interested in hosting an event or digital project can register up to the beginning of National Heritage Week on August 12 and even during the week itself. This can be done via the Organisers’ Portal on www.heritageweek.ie.

Image from the launch on National Heritage Week 2023.

Speaking at the launch of National Heritage Week on July 25, Minister Noonan said: “With thousands of free events all over the country, Heritage Week is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the places, traditions, crafts and skills that have woven their way through the fabric of Irish society.

"I’d like to commend the hundreds of people, community groups and organisations across Ireland who, every year, give freely of their own time tohost events and share their interest in heritage with the public and with the next generation of heritage lovers and tradition keepers. It is thanks to their efforts that the understanding and love of our heritage is kept alive, and passed on to the next generation.”

CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan added: “Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are all torch holders of our heritage in one way or another and this year’s theme of Living Heritage provides an opportunity to explore this idea further. Anybody who has learned a skill from a family member, who has repeated a story told to them by an ancestor, or even anybody who has played GAA, has played a part in preserving our cultural heritage.

"Many of the events registered this year will highlight how valuable these traditions are and how richly they contribute to our understanding of who we are as a people.”

Image from the launch on National Heritage Week 2023.

Welcoming National Heritage Week as a collabortor through the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Lottery, said: "The National Lottery is thrilled to partner with The Heritage Council for this year's Heritage Week 2023 to further support our natural, built, and intangible heritage. The National Lottery, through its Good Causes program, supports and makes a difference to thousands of charity and voluntary groups and organisations all over Ireland, including hundreds of heritage groups and projects who receive funding through The Heritage Council each year.

"This week of activities is a great opportunity for us to explore our traditions, skills and culture, to tell stories, and pass traditions from generation to generation as well as showcasing our natural heritage."

Image from the launch on National Heritage Week 2023.

Long-time partners of National Heritage Week, Fáilte Ireland, expressed their delight at their renewed partnership. Mary Stack, Head of Attractions at Fáilte Ireland stated: “Ireland’s rich culture and heritage is central to our tourism offering so Fáilte Ireland is pleased to once again support National Heritage Week. By bringing both our living heritage and heritage sites to life through demonstrations, music, re-enactments, tours and talks, National Heritage Week 2023 will create truly memorable experiences for domestic tourists and locals alike across the country.”

The National Lottery and Fáilte Ireland are joined by the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Irish Landmark Trust, and the Local Authority Water Programme as partners of National Heritage Week 2023.

Coordinated by the Heritage Council since 2005, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events, celebrating Ireland's built, natural and cultural heritage and aiming to generate awareness, appreciation and preservation of our wonderful
resources.

Find out more about the events of National Heritage Week 2023, here.