Westmeath events for National Heritage Week

National Heritage Week is due to take place from August 20 to 28, and lots of events are taking place in Westmeath.

On Tuesday July 26, more than 200 heritage enthusiasts gathered at Iveagh House in St Stephen's Green, Dublin to celebrate the launch of 2016 National Heritage Week with Heather Humphreys, Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minister Humphreys revealed that the theme for this year is ‘One Hundred Years of Heritage’, and noted that around 16,00 volunteers take part annually.

“Heritage Week captures the huge enthusiasm communities have for our heritage, and their appreciation of how it supports our sense of wellbeing, our tourism and our environment,” she said.

Westmeath always hosts some of the most interesting events during National Heritage Week in the country and this year proves to be no exception.

In Athlone, you can follow in the footsteps of kings and soldiers on a free guided tour of Athlone Castle and enjoy the poetry recital in the Castle courtyard.

Fantastic Fore will be a wonderful day out for the whole family. Follow a living history timeline along the new looped walk with miracles, monks, mayhem and magic; this will be a day about memories and the people that created this magnificent site.

Call into the Heritage Park at Dún na Sí for a journey through Ireland’s past from ancient magical stone circles and the legendary warrior Lugh to the experience of life in a farmhouse 100 years ago.

At the Dún na Sí Pet Farm you can meet many of the animals who wandered Irish farmyards in days gone by and at the Rural Museum you will find a unique collection of farm machinery.

This is just a taste of what is on offer in Westmeath during National Heritage Week for more details about these events and to read about dozens of other heritage week events go to www.heritageweek.ie and check out the county guides.

National Heritage Week is part of a European Heritage Day programme of events.

This is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union in which over forty countries participate each year.

The main aim of European Heritage Days are to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage and to promote Europe’s common cultural heritage.