Hector Ó hEochagáin has called on the people of County Westmeath to take part in National Heritage Week 2012, August 18-26.

Hector Ó hEochagáin has called on the people of County Westmeath to take part in National Heritage Week 2012, August 18-26.

This year the Heritage Council is focusing on Ireland's Built Heritage. During the week, over 600 built heritage events will take place with many sites and houses being made accessible to the public for the first time.

The Heritage Council is delighted that so many groups and organizations involved in built heritage are supporting and celebrating the week by making their structures and buildings accessible to the public. For many of these structures, it will be the first time they are opening their doors.

A snapshot of some of the events taking place in County Westmeath during Heritage Week 2012:

Sacred Tree Trail (Free), 19th August, 14:00 - 16:00. Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar. Follow the Sacred Tree Trail to identify the noble trees of the forest and their mythological meaning. A guided walk with Belvedere General Manager Bartle D'Arcy through the ancient woodland explaining the significance of Sacred Trees in the spiritual landscape for early Irish settlers. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a 2-hour outdoor walk. Event Organizer: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, bdarcy@westmeathcoco.ie, 044 9349060.

Athlone Masonic Hall Open House (Free), 18th & 25th August, 10:00 - 16:00. Athlone Masonic Hall, (Opposite the Methodist Church), 9 Northgate Street, Athlone. To see behind the doors of the Masonic Hall in Athlone town centre for only the second time since 1739. Local members will be on hand to answer all relevant questions, and dismiss some of the myths and legends. Free Tea and Coffee served all day! Event Organizer: John Symes, johnsymes@eircom.net, 09 06454051.

Tyrrellspass Festival (Free), 24th - 26th August, 8:00 - 23:00. Tyrrellspass. Best Overall Event of Heritage Week 2011, Best Interactive Event of Heritage Week 2011. A 3-day festival celebrating the culture and heritage of this unique and beautiful village. All ages and tastes catered for over the weekend. Parade, Ceili, banquet, talks, walks, photo & art exhibitions, family fair day, music, dance and more! Event Organizer: Tyrrellspass Festival Committee, tyrrellspassfestival@gmail.com, 087 6479711.

Heritage on your Doorstep (Free), 20th - 24th August, 16:15 - 16:30, and 25th August 12:30 - 13:00. Athlone Community Radio, Business Development Centre, Ball Alley Lane, Athlone. Athlone Community Radio highlights some of the heritage sites and features on your doorstep. Why not take part in the pre-recordings for the show?! Contact community@athlonecommunityradio.ie for further details. Athlone Community Radio is broadcasting five 15-minute features on different heritage sites in Athlone Town. Recordings for the programmes will take place prior to Heritage Week at various locations. Look out for posters! We will be looking at the following heritage sites: Athlone Castle, The Workhouse, Athlone Bridges, Harry Clarke's Windows in Athlone & the Abbey Graveyard. If you would like to contribute to the recordings please email community@athlonecommunityradio.ie. Event Organizer: Catherine Ivers, community@athlonecommunityradio.ie, 090 6490722.

'The Musical & Literary Heritage of Mullingar Walking Tour (Free), 20th August, 19:00 - 21:00. Market Square, Mullingar Town. Walking tour of Mullingar. Theme of this tour is 'The Musical and Literary Heritage of Mullingar'. Tour begins outside the Market House and lasts for approx. 2 hours. Event Organizer: Ruth Illingworth, ruthillingworthmullingar@gmail.com, 087 9472583.

The Goldsmith Country and The Deserted Village Exhibition (Free), 18th & 20th - 25th August, 10:00 - 17:00 (closing times vary, check online event listing for exact times). An exhibition relating to the Goldsmith Country north-east of Athlone, and to Oliver Goldsmith's poem "The Deserted Village". Event Organizer: Westmeath County Library, gobrien@westmeathcoco.ie, 090 6442157.

Ballinafid Lake Nature Walk (Free), 23rd August, 14:00 - 15:30. Ballinafid Lake, Ballinafid. Guided nature walk at Ballinafid Lake with National Parks and Wildlife Service guides. Meet at Covert Bar and Restaurant, Ballinafid (N4), Multyfarnham. Event Organizer: National Parks & Wildlife Service, North Midlands Region, rebecca.dobson@ahg.gov.ie, 071 9666704 or 071 9666710.

Bracklyn House Tour (Free), 19th August, 15:00 - 16:30. Bracklyn House, Meet at Bracklyn Gate Lodge. Former home of the Fetherstonhaugh family. Tour will comprise a walk through the grounds, entry to the House and a talk on the Fetherstonhaugh family history by Michael Murphy. Special thanks to the Murphy Family (present owners) in helping this event take place. Event Organizer: Delvin Historical Society, bbclancy@eircom.net, 044 9664658.

Michael Walsh: Poet of Fore (Free), 20th August 11:00 - 17:30, 21st August 12:00 - 20:00, 22nd August 10:30 - 15:30, 23rd August 12:00 - 20:00, and 24th August 10:30 - 17:00. Castlepollard Library, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard. Well-known local historian, Micheál Conlon, will introduce and launch an exhibition on the 'Poet of Fore', Michael Walsh on Monday, 20th August at 11:00am. The exhibition will run for 2 weeks from 20th August - 31st August inclusive during library opening hours. Event Organizer: Castlepollard Library, cpdlib@westmeathcoco.ie, 044 9332199.

Birdwatch lreland Talk (Free), 22nd August, 15:00 - 16:00. Moate Library, Main Street, Moate. Kathryn Finney of Birdwatch Ireland will give a talk to children 10yrs+ about birds, endangered species, and the importance of Birdwatch Ireland. Event Organizer: Moate Library, moatelib@westmeathcoco.ie, 086 3272144.

Bog Exhibition (Free), 20th August 11:00 - 17:30, 21st August 13:00 - 20:00, 22nd August 11:00 - 13:00, 23rd August 13:00 - 20:00, and 24th August 10:30 - 17:00. Moate Library, Main Street, Moate. A bog exhibition created by the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be on view in Moate Library for Heritage Week. Event Organizer: Moate Library, moatelib@westmeathcoco.ie, 086 3272144