National Heritage Week begins tomorrow and as usual, counties Monaghan and Cavan have gone above and beyond with a thought-provoking itinerary of events celebrating the very best of the region’s history, culture, nature, crafts and music.
In Monaghan alone there are several interesting bio-diversity events.
Northern Sound chatted with Monaghan County Council’s Biodiversity Officer Patricia McCreesh earlier today and she listed some of the events centred around local horticulture and nature.
A ‘Bat Walk and Talk’ where participants can go out in the evening of Tuesday, 15th August from 7:30pm to Emy Lake House with an expert from Bat Conservation Ireland and listen for native species of bats, is planned.
Alternatively, the Council have also organised a ‘Bird Walk and Talk’ for Friday, 14th August, meeting at the Sliabh Beag Hotel for 2pm for an informal talk on the bird life of Sliabh Beag. Event ends at 4pm. No booking necessary.
Knocknagrave Environmental Centre and Biodiversity Garden hosts an open day this Wednesday, 16th from 11am until 3pm.
Patricia McCreesh said she recently visited the renovated old school building and saw for herself the “amazing” exhibition on the water cycle that the group has put on.
She said she was personally “blown away” but also that children will “absolutely love it because it is done in such an imaginative and expressive way”.
Next weekend, you can take your pick from two events running at the same time: a Dragonfly and Damsel Identification Workshop at the Hillgrove Hotel (booking through the heritageweek.ie website) or explore the Dromore Canoe Tours. Both events run from 11am until 2pm on Saturday, 19th August.
Local horticulturist, Dale Treadwell, is running hour-and-half long Forest School Sessions in Rossmore Park from 10am on both Friday, 18th and Sunday, 20th August.
If you want to know about water safety then join members of the Water Safety Authority for a ‘Dip and Sip’ event at Emylake on Sunday, 20th August at 6pm, where refreshments will be served. No booking necessary.
Other events organised by Monaghan County Council and partners include Errigal Truagh and Errigal Shanco Disaporo talk, St Dympna’s Well Hike or, The Old Ways of Ballybay fair food and fun day outside Ballybay House from 2pm until 6pm on Sunday, 20th August.
Check out the Castleblayney Hall of Fame, the ‘Fortress by the Fane’ talk on a motte and Bailey Castle at Insikeen or the ‘History of Doohamlet in 10 Objects’ exhibition.
Meanwhile in Cavan, the whole family can enjoy a treasure trail at Castle Saunderson, join in on the Clan McCabe Rally, play ‘Skittles at Killinkere’, learn about the ‘Ralaghan Idol’ or sit in on the ‘Ballyjamesduff Heritage Evening’.
National Heritage Week runs from 12th to 20th August and there are many, many unique events planned for the Northern Sound region. Check out www.heritageweek.ie for booking and other information.
