There’s something for everyone at Heritage Week. Taking place across the country, this year’s programme includes story-telling, a ‘medieval’ magic show, late night wildlife walks and several tours of historic houses.

“Heritage Week is organised by the community for the community – and we are calling on people from the community to take part again this year,” says Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council.
A key event in the Heritage Week programme is Six By Sundown, a play exploring the legacy of the famine. Taking place at Callan Workhouse in Kilkenny from 26-30 August, the piece, by the acclaimed Asylum Productions, will take the audience on a journey through the past, present and future of the Callan Workhouse, as re-imagined through the eyes of a young boy. The production follows Jack Caffe, a child of the ’50s, who takes a journey into an imagined past, while trying to cope with his uncertain future. His imaginary travels lead him to the character of ‘Bones’ Kerwick, a famine child who brings the tragedy horribly to life for Jack.
The Callan Workhouse was completed in 1841 and was built to accommodate 600 people. At the height of the Famine it became cramped and overcrowded, housing over five times its capacity. Between 1845 and 1851, more than 3,000 people died there. After the Famine years, the workhouse returned to normal operations and continued to function until the 1920s. During the Civil War period, Free State soldiers garrisoned it and it was later sold to private individuals. All in all, it is a fascinating slice of Irish lore.
Also as part of Heritage Week 2008, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is holding Whale Watch Ireland, an All-Ireland whale-watching day, on Sunday 24 August from 2 to 5pm. Before you begin polishing your decks, Whale Watch Ireland is a land-based event, so don’t expect to be boarding any boats on the day!
Instead, participants will collect at various headlands around the country (including Bray Head, Howth Head, Larne and Valentia Island) on the lookout for whales, dolphins or even harbour porpoises, all of which belong to a group of species known as the ‘cetaceans’. Irish waters were declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary back in 1991. While there is absolutely no guarantee that whales will ‘turn up’ on the day, Irish waters are recognised as offering among the best land-based whale watching opportunities in Europe, with 24 cetacean species recorded off the coast to date.
Those attending are urged to bring cameras, binoculars and rain gear – it is Ireland after all!

Heritage week runs from August 24 to 31, See www.heritageweek.ie for a full list of activities.