heritage week 2018 - county cork · heritage week 2018 in the county of cork saw over 160 events in...
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HERITAGE WEEK 2018:
Heritage Week continues to grow and grow in success. Cork County Council’s Heritage Unit’s exhibition
for Heritage Week 2018 documented the success of past Heritage Weeks and also contained information
on a number of projects being undertaken in 2018 with the support of the Heritage Council, including a
publication on Heritage Europe and the County of Cork (acknowledging 2018 as the European Year of
Cultural Heritage) and a project focusing on good streetscape design.
Heritage Week 2018 in the County of Cork saw over 160 events in over 60 different locations, with
community groups and organisations making every effort to ensure a great variety of events, many with a
strong focus on Cultural Heritage, given that the theme for Heritage Week 2017 was ‘Share a Story –
Make a Connection in light of 2018 being the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The weather was kind
for the most part and public participation was outstanding.
Starting with Saturday 18th August, a number of the Week’s events are summarised in chronological
order.
Saturday 18th August 2018:
PASSAGE WEST: Children’s Games of Yesteryear
This was a lovely event for those young minds in Passage West with a variety of different games and
pastimes of yesteryear for all to enjoy. The event was organised by the Passage West Maritime Museum,
a recent new attraction in County Cork and one that is very much worth the visit!
BALLINCOLLIG: Gunpowder Mill Walk – with Rod MacConaill
Over 30 people gathered to hear Rod give a most absorbing talk on the history of gunpowder and its
production in what is now Ireland’s largest Industrial Heritage Site, the Royal Gunpowder Mills,
Ballincollig. All present were fascinated by the unique heritage of the site.
Sunday 19th August 2018:
YOUGHAL: Medieval Festival
The Youghal Medieval Festival is going from strength to strength, year after year. A wonderfully organised
event, the 2018 Festival was remarkable and August’s finest bit of sunshine was even organised for the
day that was in it! Attended by thousands of people, the day included a range of activities, games and
crafts for all the family.
KILLEAGH: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees – with Ted Cook
This was a most enjoyable and inspiring event as has come to be expected with anyone who has been at
one of Ted’s events previously. The talk commenced at 2pm in Glenbower Woods, Killeagh, where Ted
conveyed to all the importance of the world of trees and our place within them - or indeed - their place
within us. As part of the day hazel and cherry trees were planted and the entire crowd, 30 strong,
thoroughly enjoyed the event.
CASTLEMARTYR: John Saul Famous Horticulturist
The commemoration of John Saul met with national recognition in the 2016 National Heritage Week
Awards – a tremendous and well deserved accolade for those involved (Liz and Dave Maddox in
particular) in the wonderful commemoration and celebration of John Saul and family. John Saul, a
gardener from Castlemartyr in East Cork in the mid 19th Century migrated to America and became one of
the foremost horticulturists and landscape designers in the States undertaking landscaping projects at
some of today’s most noted sites such as the White House, Lafayette, the Mall … the list goes on. The
event on Sunday 19th August, attended by the always outstanding Cobh Animation Team was another
tremendous success and featured a great array of music and talks.
Monday 20th August 2018:
COUNTY LIBRARY: Making their mark – Women’s Road to Franchise
As part of Cork County Library’s Heritage Week and Creative Ireland programme Cork County Library’s
Local History Dept launched an exhibition, Making their mark – Women’s Road to Franchise at the Library
Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork. The exhibition was launched by the County Mayor, Cllr. Patrick Gerard
Murphy and the keynote talk was given by Dr. Sandra McAvoy; formerly of UCC, coordinator of the MA in
Women’s Studies. The exhibition focuses on the background to the suffrage movement in Ireland and
Britain. It concentrates on some of the prominent Cork figures involved in the movement; Hanna Sheehy-
Skeffington, Anna Haslam and the Munster Women’s Franchise League. Also included is Geraldine Laura
Lennox a native of Durrus, West Cork, who worked in London and was heavily involved in the Women’s
Social and Political Union along with Sylvia Pankhurst. Geraldine Laura was arrested for her actions and
went on hunger strike for the cause. This Cork woman had a remarkable life. Much of the material on
Geraldine Laura was provided by her family and in particular her great grandniece Karen Fitzgerald. Many
members of Geraldine Laura’s family attended the launch, her grandniece and extended family. The
exhibition displays in the County Library Building from August 21th to September 20th, Monday to Friday
from 9am to 5.30pm and in Bantry during the month of October.
COUNTY HALL: Exhibition and talk on Heritage Europe and the County of Cork
With the support of the Heritage Council, Cork County Council this year 2018 is undertaking a publication
on Heritage Europe and the County of Cork. This is the sixth instalment in the Heritage of County Cork
publication series – a series which recently received a citation of excellence at the Chambers Ireland
Excellence in Local Government Awards. The focus on Europe this year is to tie in with 2018 being the
European Year of Cultural Heritage and a talk on Cork’s connections with Europe was organised by Cork
County Council’s Heritage Officer. As part of Heritage Week an exhibition was also arranged by Cork
County Council’s Heritage Unit, featuring details of past and present projects including the
aforementioned publication as well as one looking at good streetscape design from a conservation
perspective in the County of Cork, also being supported by the Heritage Council.
CARRIGADROHID: Lovely Carrig Long Ago
Carrigadrohid has been excelling at Heritage Week events over the last number of years and this event
was right up there with the best of them. There is a wealth of heritage in Carrigadrohid and this came
alive in the evening where people could walk around the village seeing characters and re-enacted events
from long ago, from a War of Independence shoot-out to Bishop MacEgan and his role at Carrigadrohid
Castle during the Cromwellian Years in Ireland. Footage of the event was captured on the evening and
this is available to view (and well worth a look) on Youtube by searching ‘lovely Carrig long ago’ or by
using the following link - https://youtu.be/CtkB-9Yb1dI.
Tuesday 21st August 2018:
COUNTY HALL: Talk by Norma O’Connor on the Brennan Torpedo in Camden Fort Meagher
This was a most fascinating talk by Norma O’ Connor who has conducted extensive research on the
Brennan Torpedo in Camden Fort Meagher – a top secret and state of the Art Defence Mechanism in Cork
Harbour at the time. Over 30 people gathered to hear the talk which was excellently delivered.
MITCHELSTOWN: Cork County Streetscapes Design Guide for the Historic Setting - Talk and Tour
Cork County Council Architectural Conservation Officer Mona Hallinan has vast experience of the
architectural heritage of County Cork. Using her expertise she took those in attendance on a walk around
Mitchelstown looking at the great variety of architectural heritage that exists there, while pinpointing
prime examples of good conservation practice along its streetscapes. It was an excellent event and a great
way of highlighting Cork County Council’s upcoming publication ‘Cork County Streetscapes Design Guide
for the Historic Setting’, which is being supported by the Heritage Council.
COBH: The Images We Left Behind
Cobh Past and Present is wonderful premises located at Pearse Square in Cobh and the event, organised as part of Heritage Week 2018, was a most special one. A wonderful film production was put together, highlighting life in Cobh through the eyes of a portrait photographer 100 years ago. Those present all thoroughly enjoyed the event, including attendees from U.C.C.’s Film and Media Department.
Wednesday 22nd August 2018:
BALLINCOLLIG: Tree Talk and Walk with Ronan Nangle
The Regional Park Ballincollig (also known as the Gunpowder Mills Ballincollig) is steeped in heritage and not least from a flora/fauna perspective. Tree Expert Ronan Nangle, accompanied by Cork County Council Head Gardener Jack Casey, gave a fascinating talk to the 20 plus people who had gathered on that soft morning, to hear all about the various specimens of trees located within the park.
INNISCARRA: A Tour of Inniscarra Landmarks
Image courtesy of Margaret Baker, Inniscarra History Society
A wonderful evening, attended by over 50 people, took place in Griffins Garden Centre, Dripsey, where
local historian Tim O’Brien spoke about the wonderful landmarks in and around the area. The event was
organised by the Inniscarra History Society, a hard work group promoting the fantastic heritage of
Inniscarra.
Thursday 23rd August 2018:
BALLYDEHOB:
Ballydehob Community Council has been busy promoting the wonderful heritage and culture of the town
and the wider area and as part of Heritage Week, supported by Cork County Council through the Creative
Ireland Initiative, they displayed a wonderful exhibition of arts and crafts from the mid 20th century in
Ballydehob. It is an excellent exhibition and a credit to the local community, past and present.
BANTRY: Bantry Museum
Run by local volunteers this is a gem of a museum containing some wonderful artefacts and items from
throughout the many years. One could find themselves spending hours here and it is a museum well
worth the visit – a credit to the local community.
BANTRY: Ellen Hutchins Trail
Bantry is a fantastic town and a number of businesses came together in the spirit of the Ellen Hutchins
Heritage Week Festival by displaying on their shop windows: drawings and informative items relating to
the life of Ellen Hutchins (1785 0 1815) – credited as being Ireland’s first female botanist. The Festival
Team had also put a wonderful booklet together and this trail was a most enjoyable undertaking.
BANTRY: Bantry through the Ages Exhibition
Image by Adrian Curran, courtesy of Angela O’Donovan, Bantry Historical Society
Bantry Historical Society, celebrating 40 years this year, has always been to the fore during National
Heritage Week. This year a most wonderful exhibition was displayed with thanks to Noel and all at Bantry
Library, highlighting the history of the society, as well as the captivating history and heritage of Bantry
and its wider area. It was a fascinating exhibition, and was launched by the Mayor of the County of Cork
Cllr. Pat Gerard Murphy.
BANTRY: The Doonour Stone Mould and its significance in Early Bronze Age metalworking
Coinciding with the launch of the exhibition on the Thursday night in Bantry Library, a wonderful talk was
given by Sharon Weadick, Assistant Keeper of Antiquities of the National Museum of Ireland, where she
spoke about the Doonore Axe mould - a most significant Bronze Age archaeological item found on
Sheep’s Head in the 1960s. Over 70 people attended this event and all present were addressed by the
Mayor.
Friday 24th August 2018:
BALLYLICKEY: Guided Micro-Nature Trail:
Close to 30 people gathered on the morning of Friday 24th at Snave Beach, Ballylickey, to listen to a
fascinating account of the world of lichens, mosses and liverworts present. Howard Fox and Maria Cullen
from the National Botanical Gardens gave the talk, which provided a phenomenal insight into the world of
the shore. The event was a great success despite the threat of rain and was organised as part of the
award winning Ellen Hutchins Festival.
BALLYLICKEY: Living History – Letter Writing 1808
Organised as part of the Ellen Hutchins Festival this really was a most unique event in the historic setting
of Seaview House Hotel in Ballylickey. Carrie O’Flynn, in historic costume, gave an incredible insight into
life at the time (over 200 years ago) as seen through the letters that were written and indeed the
materials used. The focus of the event was firstly on letter correspondence between Ellen Hutchins and
Botanist Dawson Turner, followed by an opportunity for everyone present (close to 30) to try their hand
at letter writing using the materials of old including a lot of link and plenty of quills. It was a most
enjoyable event.
CHARLEVILLE: The Heritage of Charleville’s European Connections Exhibition
In Charleville, as part of National Heritage Week, the Charleville History Society put on a wonderful
exhibition in the Sisters of Mercy Heritage Centre showcasing Charleville’s connections with Europe. The
exhibition was a fascinating one as indeed was the venue in itself, where the story of the world can
literally be told by the contents on display therein.
Saturday 25th August 2018:
MIDLETON: Genealogy Talk
This event, hosted by Midleton Library, was undertaken by Séamus Fox, of Irish Clan Search. Séamus,
introduced by local historian Tony Harpur, gave an absorbing overview, to over 20 people, of how to go
about genealogical research, advising on aspects from Censuses and Tithe Books to the Griffith Valuation.
CLOYNE: Memories of Christy Ring in Cloyne
Heritage Week was a fitting occasion for this long awaited and inspirational afternoon where the
community of Cloyne and surrounds came together to discuss the life and legacy of hurling legend Christy
Ring. Bridget Murray shared some wonderful stories and the event was excellently organised by Cloyne
Literary and Historical Society. It was an afternoon for great stories and some wonderful Christy Ring
items and memorabilia were also on display.
Sunday 26th August 2018:
BANDON: Bandon Walled Town Festival
The Bandon Walled Town Festival is organised by a most hard working committee and this year saw a
great range of activities and entertainment for all the family from medieval coin making, pottery and
traditional music to farrier displays and puppet shows.
BALLINCOLLIG: Ceol Cois Laoi
Throughout Heritage Week Ballincollig organises a range of wonderful events for people of all ages and
walks of life to attend. The last of the 10 events was held on the afternoon of Sunday 26th August and saw
a beautiful performance of traditional Irish music by local musicians, thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Heritage Week 2018 was a great success and all are looking forward to Heritage Week 2019 already!