National Heritage Week, this year celebrating the full return of in-person events, takes place across Ireland from Saturday 13th to Sunday 21st August, and Ballyhoura Country marks this vibrant celebration of culture with a jam-packed schedule of free events celebrating the region’s history, art, heritage and biodiversity.
With a range of indoor and outdoor activities, plenty of them family-oriented and for those on staycations, there is something to pique everyone’s interest in this beautiful region, in the heart of the Golden Vale of Munster.
Ballyhoura’s history, from ancient to modern, is well represented on the schedule. Lough Gur, well known for its rich collection of stone circles, tombs and ringforts, also harbours the mystery of Cladh na Leac, the ancient pathway just 200m from Ireland’s largest stone circle. On 17th August, from 7.30 to 8.30pm, Brian Collopy of Lough Gur Development, presents a talk in the Lough Gur Visitor Centre, the culmination of his many years of research and tour-guiding in the area, shining a light on one of the region’s lesser-known ancient monuments. To book via Eventbrite click here.
Staying deep in Ballyhoura’s rich ancient past, scholar and author Dr Donncha MacGabhann is offering Guided Tours of the Book of Kells (the Verlag version is an exact copy of the manuscript) at St. John’s Church, Knockainey, Co Limerick. This interactive experience begins with a general introduction to the Book of Kells and continues by exploring the main features of the manuscript. Daily from August 15th - 19th, at 7pm - 8.30 pm. To book email donnmacgabhann@gmail.com.
You can have fun trying out your ‘cúpla focal’ on Saturday 13th August from 7pm - 8.30pm, starting at the Church of Ireland in Bruff, and enjoy Cómhrá, Ceol agus Stair ag Tobar Uí Choilleann/ Chat, Music and Local History at Collins' Well. The walk and talk is from the old Church of Ireland, Bruff to Collins' Well, and encourages people to chat with each other in Irish to the best of their ability followed by ‘the craic’ with a traditional sing song. This event is kindly supported by Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) and hosted by Bruff Tidy Towns. All welcome no matter level of Irish language ability or none. Just be sure to bring your singing voice! To book phone 0872145284 or email cnilaighin@hotmail.com.
Painting in the Park is a free art class taking place in the Morningstar Park on 16th August from 6.30pm - 8pm. Facilitated by local artist Kathy Tiernan and kindly supported by LAWPRO. Capture the beautiful and newly-restored Morningstar River, or various heritage focal points seen from the park such as Church of Ireland, Two Bridges, Washerwomen's Stones, Carberry Arms (Victorian Quarter), Adelaide House. Bring your preferred equipment/media and settle in for an evening of painting under the guidance of our artist or under your own steam!
The Maigue Rivers Trust invites you to discover the natural heritage of the Mahore River in Hospital, Co. Limerick on Wednesday 17th August from 7 - 8pm. The Trust also teams up with Charleville Tidy Towns Group and offers you the opportunity to discover the natural heritage of Charleville Stream on Thursday 18th Aug at 7pm - 8pm. Both events are free and are being supported by LAWPRO, Mary Immaculate College and Analog Devices. For more visit www.maiguerivertrust.ie.
Ballyhoura Outdoor Classroom Wildlife Tour, an all-ages free tour of the plants and animals found at Griston Bog, takes place as part of National Heritage Week on Monday August 15th. Find out about the wildlife found only in one of our oldest environments; see examples of unique and beautiful local plants; and learn about our shy local lizard. Take part in an ecology scavenger hunt and see how many different plants or animals you can find! The event starts at 10am and running until 12pm. To book via Eventbrite click here or email reception@ballyhoura.org or phone 063 91300.
Especially for the kids during Heritage Week, Kilmallock’s lovely Friar’s Gate Theatre is showing the 2021 Oscar-nominated Pixar movie, Luca at 2.30pm on Tuesday 16th August. To book call 063 98727 or email friarsgatetheatre@gmail.com.
The 66th Cappamore Agricultural Show, back after a 2-year absence, takes place on Saturday 20th August. Running since 1954, it is one of Ireland’s leading one day shows, and is very highly regarded among exhibitors and regular show supporters throughout the Munster region, as well as nationally. It incorporates displays and competitions in cookery, crafts, agricultural and horticultural produce, as well as in the traditional skills, arts and crafts of the region, and more traditional show sections such as cattle and horse showing, and jumping classes. Free children's entertainment will also be provided on the day. For more information call 061 381444 or email info@cappamoreshow.ie.
One of the demonstration events at the Cappamore Show will be Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board’s resident master blacksmith Eric O Neill delivering a demonstration of Traditional and Modern Forging Skills: the skillset, working conditions and tools of the blacksmithing trade will be on display in a specially-designed forging space. A range of decorative pieces and tools will be made on the day on-site. Following on from this, Eric will also deliver a 4-Day Traditional Toolmaking Course to novice blacksmiths in the Cappamore Campus of the College of Further Education and Training from 15th - 18th August, while the following day the forge at the campus will open its doors and welcome members of the public in to view the facility and experience a live forging demonstration once again by Eric O’Neill. Both traditional and modern forging techniques will be demonstrated on the open day. For more information call 061 381272 or email applycappamore@lcetb.ie.
There’s so much to explore during Heritage Week in Ballyhoura Country - where will your feeling take you?
