Heritage Week 2017 is almost upon us and with so many places to visit and events organised throughout the county it is always good idea to plan in advance!
In addition to the many Heritage Week Events organised by Local History Groups affiliated to the Co. Kildare Federation of Local History Groups, which you can find in our Local History Diary, (click here for Heritage Week only) many other Heritage Week events and open days are organised throughout the county by various cultural, religious and educational organisations. Below is a selection of such events and open days while others are highlighted as individual news stories.
A full list of Heritage Week events for Co. Kildare can be found on the Heritage Week Website: www.heritageweek.ie
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE: In the events for Naas please note that the order of dates for the two walks organised by Naas Local History Group on the 21st and 24th have been switched, they appear in the correct order on this website in the Local History Diary. Unfortunately the printed booklet for Heritage Week in Kildare and the www.heritageweek.ie website have the incorrect order.
National Science Museum NUI Maynooth
Co. Kildare
20, 23, 27 August, 2pm – 6pm
Come and view the largest display of scientific instruments on public display in Ireland. Most of which were manufactured in the Dublin area between 1880 and 1920
Come and view the largest display of scientific instruments on public display in Ireland. Most of which were manufactured in the Dublin area between 1880 and 1920
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Suitable for Children under 12 Wheelchair Access (Full) Car Parking Available
Further Information
01 62886550/ 0879152003 niall.mckeith@spcm.ie
facebook.com/pg/nationalsciencemuseum/photos/?tab=album&album_id=314232075408900
Tower of Allen, Hill of Allen
19 – 27 August, 10am – 6pm
Tower of Allen, Hill of Allen, Allen
Co. Kildare
Just 10km from Newbridge & Kildare & 15km from Naas, this magnificent tower was built in 1859 by Sir Gerald George Aylmer. The tower commands extensive views of the surrounding countryside.
Just 10km from Newbridge and Kildare and 15km from Naas, this magnificent tower was built in 1859 by Sir Gerald George Aylmer. The tower commands extensive views of the surrounding countryside. On each step of the tower is inscribed the names of the men and women who built it. Come and visit this great piece of our local history. Suitable footwear required, path to tower via forest trail. Car parking at owner’s risk.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Suitable for Children under 12 Car Parking Available
Further Information
089 490 6802 regina.heavey@gmail.com
Ghosts of Tea Lane Graveyard
20 August, 3pm – 4pm
Tea Lane Graveyard, Church Road, Celbridge
Co. Kildare
Be entertained by the Ghosts of Tea Lane Graveyard, including Henry Grattan Junior MP, Katherine Conolly of Castletown, Saint Mochua and others buried at Tea Lane, all portrayed by fantastic actors.
A truly entertaining informative event suitable for young and old.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Suitable for Children under 12 Car Parking Available
Further Information
087 9630719 breda.konstantin@iol.ie
facebook.com/tealanegraveyard
Kildare Town Medieval Festival
20 August, 12:30pm – 7pm
Market Square & Various Venues,
Kildare Town
To celebrate our heritage and just for fun, this annual family day, the Kildare Town Medieval Festival began. This year The Vikings are coming & the invasion to Kildare happens on Sun, Aug 20th, 2017!
This year’s theme for the Kildare Town Medieval Festival, “The Vikings have Landed”, is very relevant to Kildare as we have been invaded a total 15 times by Vikings and the 16th invasion will happen on August 20th this year. Come along to see the Deise Reenactors, falconry, try some archery, enter the best dressed or beard competitions, take part in a variety of workshops and much much more! Follow Kildare Town Medieval Festival on Facebook, facebook.com/kildaretownmedievalfest.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Suitable for Children under 12 Wheelchair Access (Full) Car Parking Available
Further Information
00 353 45 530 672 kildaretownmedievalfest@gmail.com
kildareheritage.com/kildaretownmedievalfestival/ facebook.com/kildaretownmedievalfest/
Insight into Art O’Connor
23 August, 8pm – 10pm
Elm Hall Golf Club Celbtidge
Co. Kildare
Talk on Art O’Connor who was a politician and judge.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Not suitable for Children under 12 Car Parking Available
Further Information
016271136 annemcneil@yahoo.com
Castlecarbury Charter School
24 August, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Carbury Village
Co. Kildare
A talk with a slide show on Castlecarbury Charter School by Dr. Karina Holton.
Limited seating
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Not suitable for Children under 12 Wheelchair Access (Full) Car Parking Available
Further Information
087/2120494 joanpoterton@eircom.net
Heritage Walk to Lyons Hill
Ardclough Community Council
Entrance to UCD farm Lyons, near Newcastle, Co Dublin & Ardclough Co Kildare, Co. Kildare
20 August, 2pm – 5pm
Athy River and Canal Walk
Athy Town Promoters
Athy Heritage Centre, Co. Kildare
27 August, 12pm – 2pm
Another Brick in the Wall
Newbridge Library will host a display of bricks made in Kildare, Dublin, Cork and Cavan as well as bricks from England, Scotland and Wales which were used locally.
‘Liam Kenny presents his brick collection in Newbridge Library with an eclectic collection of bricks made in Ballysax, Athy and further afield’. Bricks built the Curragh Camp and many other buildings from cottages to schools in the Newbridge area. Bricks from the nearby Ballysax brickyard will feature.
Dates and times:
19 August, 2pm – 5pm
22 August, 1pm – 8pm
23 August, 2pm – 5pm
24 August, 9:30am – 5pm
25 August, 2pm – 5pm
26 August, 2pm – 5pm
Three Beatified Individuals …
24 August, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Lyreen Research Forum
Abbey Community Centre Clane
Co. Kildare
Three beatified individuals connected to the parish of Clane and Rathcoffey.
A 15 min Illustrated talk followed by a guided tour of the three sites beside Clane Abbey Community Centre. Three in individuals: William Wogan, Rathcoffey; Dom Marmion, Clane and John Sullivan Clongowes Wood
Canal Walk and Talk
25 August, 7pm – 9pm
Leixlip Tidy Town Association
Meet on Canal at Confey Bridge
Co. Kildare
Canal walk and talk with local historian John Colgan taking in history of Confey Bridge, Aquaduct, Waterfall, Toll Collectors Cottage, Spa Bath and also flora and fauna along the way.
Come along for an enjoyable community event. Bring all the family
The Story of Two Neighbours
24 August, 8pm – 9:30pm
Feighcullen & PLuckerstown Community Alert
Ballyteague GAA Club House
Co. Kildare
The story of two towns lands bordering each other. Quiet areas with very different stories. The presentation will draw on the rich heritage of the area from a native.
Tour-Historic Killeighter Graveyard
27 August, 5:30pm – 7pm
Killeghter Graveyard Group
Killeighter Graveyard is situated 5km west of Kilcock on the N148 signposted (old N4)
The Historic Graveyard -Killeighter and the environs. Promoting the built, cultural and natural history of Killeighter and the environs.
Walking through Athy’s History
22 August, 7pm – 8:30pm
Booking Required
Athy Heritage Centre Museum
Athy
Co. Kildare
Guided walk through Athy’s History by a local historian.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
to book contact 0598633075 or athyheritage@eircom.net
The Battle of Ovidstown
25 August, 8pm – 10:30pm
Newtown Community Group
Newtown Community Centre
Co. Kildare
An overview of the events that led to The Battle of Ovidstown, who fought in it, where the events happened and its place in Irish history.
History tour of Leixlip Village
24 August, 7:15pm – 8:30pm
Anthony Larkin
Salmon Leap Bar Carpark, Leixlip Co Kildare
Co. Kildare
History walk/ tour of Leixlip Village, to include Toll House, Shingled House, Arthurs square, Leixlip Castle, Old Hill and up to Wonderful Barn.
Meet at Salmon Leap Bar Carpark, Leixlip Co Kildare
Tour of Kildrought House
20 August, 2pm – 5pm
The Teresa Brayton Heritage Group
Kildrought House, Celbridge
Co. Kildare
A guided tour of restored Kildrought House in Celebridge. A substantial early Georgian house located on the main street built by Robert Baillie in 1719.
Ballynafagh Lake- Nature & History
24 August, 8pm – 9:30pm
Tir Na Mona
Car Park at Ballynafagh Lake, Prosperous.
Co. Kildare
Come along to Ballynafagh Lake and learn about the nature and history of the lake once a reservoir for the grand canal. Ballynafagh Lake is an Special Area of Conservation near prosperous.
The walk and talk led by Tir Na Mona. This is an outdoor event in a wildlife site so dress suitably with appropriate footwear. All dogs MUST be on a lead.
William Francis Roantree
Ardclough Celbridge Leixlip 1916 Rising Commemoration Committee
The Square, Main Street Leixlip @ 6.30pm followed by Lecture in Leixlip Library @ 7.15pm, Co. Kildare
22 August, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Uncovering Another Ireland
19 August, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Kildare Town Library
Kildare Town Library for the Full Week
Co. Kildare
Travelling by bicycle across 1,000 km of the Midland Great Western Railway network, Pamela de Brí gives us a glimpse of life in a bygone era.
Pamela will elaborate on her exhibition “Uncovering Another Ireland” in Solas Bhríde Centre, Kildare Town on 17th August @ 7.30pm. The MGWR, ‘its former glories and enduring beauty’ shown through video, photographs, notebooks, audio-clips and maps.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Congo Display
24 August, 2pm – 5pm
Irish Military Vehicles Group
Monasterevin Library
Co. Kildare
Military display of equipment and weapons which would have been used by Irish troops on UN Peacekeeping duties in The Congo.
Medieval Walking Tour
27 August, 2pm – 3pm
Booking Required
Athy Heritage Centre Museum
Guided medieval walking tour of Athy
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
to book contact 0598633075
Further Information
0598633075 athyheritage@eircom.net
athyheritagecentre-museum.ie
Museum Treasure Hunt
19 – 23 August, 2pm – 3:30pm
Athy Heritage Centre Museum
Fun activity inside the Heritage Centre & Museum – follow a map and locate the clues to win a certificate
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Access & Parking
Suitable for Children under 12
Celbridge in The 18th/19th Century.
27 August, 12pm – 1pm
Celbridge Mill Community Centre
Kate Walsh House at The Celbridge Mill Community Centre.
Co. Kildare
Short History of 18th / 19th Century Celbridge through 2 still movies titled “Marble Halls ” and “Landlords,Lovers,and Lawmakers” . Also Small Photo exhibition of The Mill in Black and White.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Incredible voyage: the James Caird
27 August, 3pm – 4pm
Booking Required
Athy Heritage Centre Museum
Co. Kildare
Greatest seafaring feat led by a person from landlocked Kildare, half the crew were Irish. 101 years ago the ‘James Caird’ lifeboat became a central part of Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ expedition.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
to book contact 0598633075
Heritage Walk and Talk
20 August, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Milltown Tidy Towns
Old school Milltown
Co. Kildare
Discover the rich history and heritage of the village of Milltown, celebrating this year its bicentenary whilst enjoying a walk along the banks of the grand canal.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Observations on Nature
21, 23, 24 August, 10am – 5pm
Maynooth University
Russell Library, Maynooth University
Explore nature through the historical print collections of the Russell Library. Books on gardening, botany, agriculture and husbandry will be on display some of which will refer to the local area.
The exhibition will appeal to anyone who has an interest in nature and the environment, local history, botanical art or life in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A 6inch Ordnance Survey map of Kildare will be on display as well as items from our Special Collections in the John Paul II. The Pugin designed Russell Library is of historical and architectural significance and well worth a visit. We are also closed for lunch 1-2pm
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Tour of Celbridge Mill Turbine
27 August, 11am – 12pm
Celbridge Community Centre – The Mill
Celbridge Mill Community Centre – Meeting point Car Pk
Tour of The Turbine House at The Mill – Celbridge Community Centre, Celbridge. Tour will include talk on the workings of the Hydro Electric Turbines and its association with the Mill.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Interpreting the Curragh area
26 – 27 August, 2pm – 5pm
Co.Kildare Archaeological Society
Saturday —Ballymany , Newbridge . Sunday -adjoining Cill Dara Golf Club
The object of this event is to give an overview of all the important facets of the environment, history, ecology and heritage of the Curragh in a simple on-site presentation by a panel of speakers.
The Curragh is located between the towns of Newbridge and Kildare. It is almost the only area of unenclosed lowland grassland in Ireland and certainly the largest extending over almost 2,000ha. The County Kildare Archaeological Society, founded in 1891, has, over its lifetime, taken a keen interest in the protection of the Curragh and has participated over the years in studies providing assistance where possible in its preservation for future generations.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free
Thatching Demo Yew Cottage
23 August, 12am – 3pm
Paul Darby
Yew Cottage, Mountrice, Monasterevin, W34D653
Co. Kildare
Public demonstration of the ancient and highly skilled craft of thatching. Learn from the owner about the varied skills and materials used to thatch his property with only Irish grown materials.
Conducted by master thatchers Leonard & Sons. The thatchers will explain the traditional techniques and materials used in thatching, extolling the benefits and beauty of a thatched roof.
Admission & Booking
Admission Free