National Heritage Week 2021 is taking place from this year from Saturday, 14th August to Sunday, 22nd August and offers us the chance to explore heritage events and activities across Dublin Mid-West, including many OPW sites, all of which are free until the end of the year, a local TD has said.
Deputy Emer Higgins said this year’s National Heritage Week will include a mix of virtual events and in-person activities, such as seashore safaris, botanical art workshops, currach paddle carving and online open days.
Deputy Higgins commented ‘After a year where we haven’t have been able to venture much further than our homes for months on end, we should take full advantage of National Heritage Week this summer and get out and explore what Dublin has to offer.
“As we hopefully leave the worst of the pandemic behind us, many of us are thinking of picking up a new hobby or interest. National Heritage Week offers us the perfect opportunity to do just this as people who have never engaged with the Week before are being encouraged to attend an event or work on a heritage project.
“Following the success of last year’s initiative, heritage enthusiasts are once again being invited to create projects that can be shared online. Over 800 heritage projects were created last year and this year you can enjoy local events such as “Rathcoole Woodlands – A Virtual Evening in the Woodlands”, “Online children’s crafts: Build a Viking longship with Kim Jenkinson at Clondalkin Library” and “Viking experience at Clondalkin Round Tower”.
“Projects can be uploaded online, with the portal now open to receive submissions. The last day to submit a project is Monday, 30th August and more information can be found on heritageweek.ie.
“This year’s National Heritage Week has much more to offer than a purely online element. Art exhibitions, pop-up museums, family treasure hunts and boat trips are amongst many of the plans in counties across the country, with many fun things to do here in Dublin as well. While the majority of events are free, pre-registration is essential so log on to the website to find more information on opening times and booking requirements.
“Don’t forget that there is currently free admission to all OPW sites across Dublin. Admission charges to all fee-paying open OPW heritage sites were waived earlier this summer, in line with the Government’s recovery and reopening plan outlined in The Path Ahead. This has been absolutely brilliant for the tourism industry in Dublin Mid-West as many people depend on a strong visitor economy for employment.
“I’m hoping this National Heritage Week we will all get the opportunity to explore what’s right here on our doorstep in the South Dublin County Council area, and at the same time, support our local businesses and communities who’ve gone through so much over the past 18 months,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
