Wide range of Heritage Week events taking place in Waterford this week
The Portlaw Tannery closed in 1985 and a special event will take place in the village on on Saturday, August 23
As part of National Heritage Week, Waterford City and County Council’s Biodiversity Office is hosting a series of wildlife-related events throughout the city and county.
The events will take place as follows: Tuesday, August 19 - 11am to 1pm - Loch sa Leabharlann, a dual-language interactive talk with WCCC Biodiversity Officer and NPWS Conservation Ranger, Éinne Ó Cathasaigh on the species and habitats of Ireland and their connection to our language. The public will see some of the habitats of the county in Dungarvan Library and all ages welcome. You can walk in on the day or register on Eventbrite.
Bankside Bat Walk on the Colligan River (7.30pm. – 9.30pm): Join WCCC Biodiversity and Waters team for a two-hour exploration in Colligan Woods of the freshwater habitats and the animals that call its waters and woodlands home. Starting with a delve into the animals living underwater and then taking out the bat detectors to find out how many species of bat live here. All ages welcome but ensure to wear appropriate clothing. There is limited capacity and registration in advance can be made through Eventbrite.
Not Stopping Now For the Ocean (1pm to 2pm) - A lunchtime webinar series continues with a Heritage Week special on ‘Marine Research’ in Ireland. Join researcher Anthony Adu-Gyamfi to chat about 'Life amongst the Seaweed Farms' and his research on animals living within these areas in close proximity to seagrass habitats. The Kerry Biodiversity Officer will talk through the extent of Ireland’s marine area and the work that is being carried out by MTU in Tralee Bay on Angel Sharks. This is a collaboration between WCCC, An Taisce Climate Ambassadors, The Heritage Council, Kerry CoCo, ATU Marine and Freshwater Research Centre and MTU. The online event can be accessed by going online to https://eeu-antaisce-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U5rz97HRTfCJ5ttJV2PDNQ
Starting at 1pm a Seagrass Sessions Photography Workshop for those over 18, with Dr. Tasneem Khan. Tell the story of seagrass through the camera lens. The Waterford County County Council Climate Action Office invites you to explore, document and celebrate our hidden seagrass meadows off Tramore, on a half day, shallow water photography workshop with biologist and photographer Tasneem Khan. This will happen from the meeting spot at Lisselan Intake, Tramore. To register go to
https://www.seaschool.ie/event-details-registration/seagrass-sessions-photography-workshop
A 10a.m. – 4p.m. One-day Pollinator Planting Workshop for communities in Portlaw with Aoife Munn, from 10am to 4pm, for those over 18 years of age. Topics covered will include: Pollinator planting techniques; Drought resistant plants; Mini pond building; Wildlife movement; Rewilding and managed areas; Water conservation and more. Participants will need to bring gardening gloves and a keep cup (reusable cup of any type) with them on the day and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be supplied. The course is lively and interactive with free gifts to take home for all participants. Attendance by registration only at www.tinyurl.com/PollinatorPlantingPortlaw
The public are also being asked to participate in a search for small creatures in Waterford on on Saturday, August 23, from 11am to 1pm in Newtown Woods, in Newtown, Tramore. One of those involved said: "We will collect samples from the stream and using the Citizen Science Streams Index, search for the 'Good Guys', which need clean water to survive, and the 'Bad Guys,' which can tolerate polluted water."
For more information, contact Tramore Eco Group at 087 908 1035 or email tramoreecogroup@gmail.com.
Waterford has also received funding of €1,052 in grants for Water Heritage Day events in the county celebrating our waterbodies as part of National Heritage Week. Projects approved for funding in Waterford this year include: Tides & Tales Maritime Community Project - three events - St. John’s Pill – Waterford’s Victorian Thoroughfare; Ballyhack Millstones and Reclaiming an Irish Way of St James (€287); Street Art Ink - Floating Voices
Portlaw Heritage Centre will be open over the remainder of Heritage Week and is encouraging people who worked in the Portlaw Tannery to get in touch. The centre is focusing attention on the development of Portlaw - Ireland's most spectacular Model Industrial Village.
One of those involved said: "We are lucky with the rich history we share spanning two centuries. For us, those foundations consist of two different industries; a built heritage and the people who worked and lived in the village."
The Centre will be open to visit on the following dates and times: Wednesday, August 20 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm; Friday, August 22, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and Saturday, August 23, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
