Free events celebrating Waterford's heritage this week

Tours of Cappoquin House and Gardens, discovering marine life at the beaches and dunes of Tramore, Viking cruises along Waterford’s quays and a virtual reality immersive experience at Lismore Castle are among the many free events taking place across Waterford during National Heritage Week 2024, from Saturday August 17 to Sunday August 25.

Local heritage groups and organisers, families, communities and individuals in Waterford have responded to this year’s theme of ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ by organising events showcasing the best of what Waterford’s local heritage has to offer.

Over 2,000 events will take place nationwide with a full list available on the National Heritage Week website.

On August 25, at the Reading Room in Cheekpoint, the ‘Community of the Tides' event will focus on the unique relationship between the Cheekpoint community and the tidal rivers and river communities along its banks.

It includes a guided walk with a local fisherman with tea and chat after in the local hall where a photographic exhibition will underline the walk theme.

‘The Great Irish Silence: Irish Traditional Music of the United States Post Famine by Tigerlily Keoghan’, will take take place at Ardkeen Library on August 20 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Tigerlily Keoghan, musicologist, singer and piper, will explore the traditional music of the Irish diaspora of the United States in the decades following the Great Famine.

Two themed days will also take place during National Heritage Week this year. 

On Saturday, August 24, Wild Child Day will encourage children and families to explore the heritage in their locality.

On Sunday, August 25, the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme will invite people to explore National Heritage Week projects that celebrate water and our connections with it.

Commenting on this year’s celebration of national heritage, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan emphasised the variety of attractions and events on offer, commenting: “Browsing through the over 2,000 events taking place during National Heritage Week this year gives a sense of the sheer variety and colour of our nation’s heritage."

"They cover nature, culture, music, traditions, folklore, writing, history, architecture, archaeology, archives and so much more," she said.

“Many of the events are volunteer-led, organised by dedicated people who seek no recompense or adulation," she added

"We must never take these people for granted and I will continue unapologetically to mention them at every opportunity, such is their importance not only to National Hertage Week, but to the preservation of Irish heritage in general."