News

Minister Noonan invites the public to celebrate National Heritage Week at a National Park or Nature Reserve

Date Released: Friday, August 16, 2024

  • Over forty events happening in National Parks and Nature Reserves around the country
  • Events include walking trails, demonstrations, and educational activities from sheep shearing of Claddagh heritage breeds in Connemara, boxty making on the Bothy Trail to a Junior Rangers event at Glengarriff Nature Reserve
  • Clara Bog Nature Reserve Visitor Centre re-opens to the public, with activities and guided walks planned around one of Ireland’s finest raised bogs.  

National Heritage Week takes place from August 17th to the 25th with hundreds of events happening around the country. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is supporting the week with over forty events taking place in National Parks and Nature Reserves around the country. The theme of National Heritage Week this year is ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’, and will be reflected through guided walks, exhibitions and activities for every age.

Speaking in advance of National Heritage Week, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D said:

“Our National Parks and Nature Reserves protect our natural heritage, but also connect us with our ancestors’ relationship with nature. Over the course of Heritage Week, our National Parks and Nature Reserves are offering unique experiences to explore and learn about our native habitats and species, and the work underway to protect and restore them.

Our bogs are an important aspect of our natural heritage, and have a vital role to play in addressing the biodiversity crisis. I’m delighted that Clara Bog Nature Reserve Visitor Centre in Offaly is now open to the public again with an exciting series of events planned for National Heritage Week. I look forward to seeing the Centre continue to grow and expand its education programme to community groups and schools over the coming months.”

In addition to offering guided walks and biodiversity themed activities, a diverse programme of events will invite members of the public to make connections with their natural heritage. Connemara National Park will showcase traditions associated with the Claddagh Sheep heritage breed, such as spinning, weaving and even sheep shearing. There are opportunities to hear the story behind the archaeological treasures at Wicklow Mountains National Park, experience natures networks in the woodlands at Glenveagh National Park, and biodiversity pop up exhibitions in Killarney National Park. There are also activities for younger audiences, including a Junior Rangers ‘Wildlife in the Woods’ event at Glengarriff Nature Reserve.

Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General with the NPWS said:

“This year’s programme reflects our commitment to enhance opportunities to connect, engage with and learn about our natural heritage. We’re delighted to support the Heritage Council on this important initiative and to join others in celebrating our unique heritage within our National Parks and Nature Reserves.”

All NPWS events are free to attend.

Additional Information

About Heritage Week: For more information about events during Heritage Week visit the Heritage Week Website.

Clara Bog Nature Reserve Visitor Centre: Clara Bog Visitor Centre in Co. Offaly offers engaging interpretation into one of the country’s most important raised bogs. The centre provides educational exhibits and interactive displays about the unique flora and fauna of the bog and the importance of conservation of our peatlands. The Centre is open on weekdays, with opening hours on clarabognaturereserve.ie

NPWS Events for Heritage Week

Cork

  • Glengarriff Nature Reserve:
    • ​Junior Rangers: Wildlife in the Woods (Ellen Hutchins Festival)

Donegal

  • McGlinchey’s Field Studies Centre:
    • ​Guided Nature Walk
  • Glenveagh National Park:
    • Connect with our Native Irish Woodlands

Galway

  • Connemara National Park:
    • ​Claddoir/Claddagh Sheep Heritage Day
    • Connemara Dark Skies Event – Observing the Night Sky Talk and Workshop for Children
    • Pony Information
    • Colourising Connemara: A brief history through old photographs
    • Wild Atlantic Nature: Integrating Nature, People and Place
    • Traditional Bread and Butter Making Demonstrations
    • Guided Diamond Hill Walk by Park Ranger
    • Traditional Basket Making Demo and Display
    • Guided Walks and Music Sessions to take place throughout the week

Kerry

  • Killarney National Park:
    • ​Pop-up Biodiversity Display at Killarney House
    • Nocturnal Nature Ramble
    • Pop-up Biodiversity Display at Muckross House Courtyard
    • Family Fun Day at Muckross School House

Mayo

  • Wild Nephin National Park:
    • Connections of the Land
    • Don’t forget to write: Postcard Making Work Shop
    • Celebrating our Natural Heritage - Guided walk and activities at Ballycroy Visitor Centre,
    • Dancing at the Crossroads, with Boxty at the Bothy in Letterkeen
    • Celebrating old connections, Short hike along the Bangor trail.

Offaly

  • Clara Bog Nature Reserve Visitor Centre:
    • Doorey Wood Guided Walk
    • Botany Walk on Clara Bog Nature Reserve
    • Family Walk in Arts and Crafts

Wicklow

  • Wicklow Mountains National Park:
    • ​Medieval Pilgrimage to Glendalough
  • Knocksink Education Centre:
    • ​Invasive Species and How we can help our Nature Reserves
    • Bat Walk at Knocksink Wood
    • Soil and Biodiversity – a Web of Connection