A celebration of heritage

Horizons: Sylvia Thompson Wherever you are in Ireland between today and Sunday, September 2nd, you will have no excuse not to…

Horizons: Sylvia ThompsonWherever you are in Ireland between today and Sunday, September 2nd, you will have no excuse not to partake in Heritage Week, such is the range of activities available. The annual celebration of our built and natural heritage began as a Council of Europe initiative 15 years ago, encouraging each member state to celebrate its cultural heritage.

Ireland chose to have an annual week-long countrywide programme of events and, two years ago, the planning of these events moved from the Office of Public Works to the Heritage Council. Below is a small selection of what's on offer (many events are free).

Pick up a copy of the programme at your local library and join in the celebrations of your local heritage. See also www.heritageweek.ie or tel: 1850-200878.

Farmleigh House and Gardens in Phoenix Park is the venue for the official launch of Heritage Week today with guided walks, traditional games and quiz trails organized throughout the day. John Gormley, the Minister for the Environment, will be among those present.

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Tomorrow, visitors and locals can join a free historical walking tour of Dublin which starts from the front gate of Trinity College Dublin at 3pm. Alternatively, garden lovers can enjoy free guided tours of the National Botanic Gardens today and tomorrow at 2.30pm or a free guided tour of the Formal Gardens of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham at 3.30pm tomorrow. And free children's tours run throughout the day at nearby Kilmainham Gaol tomorrow (booking essential on tel: 01-4535984).

Meanwhile, next Saturday, some of the houses and gardens on Merrion Square will be open to the public (tel: 01 7026165).

In Cork city and county next Saturday, people can see inside buildings such as Collins Barracks, the Masonic Hall and the Clarion Hotel Penthouse. Entitled, Sneak a Peek, Cork Heritage Open Day gives people free entry to more than 25 public and private buildings which are not usually open to the public. Tel:021 4924018 for more details or see www.corkheritage- openday.ie One of the many events in Co Galway is a walk led by environmentalist Gordon D'Arcy through the woods of Coole Park, Gort, tomorrow, at 2pm (tel: 091-631804). An environment day for children will also be held there on Sunday, September 2nd, from 2pm-5pm.

Other parts of Ireland will also be explored this week. Consider joining a free guided tour of the Irish Landmark Trust Lightkeeper's House in Loop Head, Kilbaha, Co Clare, on Monday, between 10am and 4pm (tel: 01-6704733 for information on opening times for all Irish Landmark Trust buildings). Or how about attending the Lughnasa Barn Dance in Ballyhugh Arts and Cultural Centre, Co Cavan, on Wednesday next from 9.30pm (tel: 049-9526044). Those living near Glengarriff, Co Cork, can join a free guided woodland/meadow walk in the Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve on Wednesday at 2pm (tel: 027-63636).

Within these walls

Tomorrow is Irish Walled Towns' Day 2007 and the bells will ring out in walled towns and cities throughout the State at 1pm to mark the beginning of events.