merrion street

As part of National Heritage Week 2020, taking place on 15 to 23 August, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is supporting the delivery of 18 projects to showcase and raise awareness of Ireland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Under the Heritage Week 2020 sub-theme - relearning skills from our heritage - the Department has engaged with practitioners on projects to highlight and raise awareness of some of the diverse practices that are part of Ireland’s rich tapestry of cultural heritage.

Minister Martin in welcoming the initiative, commented:

Our living heritage is an integral part of our culture and initiatives such as this help to showcase our traditions, skills and practices and support their safeguarding for future generations. I wish to thank those who have taken part in our open call for intangible cultural heritage projects and encourage everyone to participate in National Heritage Week 2020 as the vast array of projects featured over the course of the week ensures that there is something to interest everyone.

A number of practices inscribed on Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage are featured as part of the initiative, giving the public the opportunity to delve into our intangible cultural heritage through learning about:

• the intricate tradition of Boyne Currach making;
• the skilled craft of traveller tinsmithing;
• the history and art of Limerick Lace making;
• Ireland’s Nine Native Dog Breeds;
• Live performance of the 49-bell Carillon of St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh;
• the art of dry stone walling;
• the Holy Wells in Co. Clare;
• a live-stream performance of a traditional Mummers play;
• the practice of Burren Winterage;
• the skills involved in Irish Crochet Lace making; and
• Ireland’s traditional instrumental and vocal Music with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

The initiative also features:

• the practice and skill of the wood engraver;
• live-stream presentation and performance of traditional sean-nós songs by Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola;
• a collaborative performance by Galway Traditional Orchestra and Galician piper Anxo Lorenzo;
• live-stream workshops on traditional Irish music and the cello with Sharon Howley, recipient of TG4 Young Musician of the Year 2020;
• presentation on the practice of observing the Penal Days Mass Station in Glenamaddy, Co. Galway, known as ‘Log an Aifrinn’;
• live exhibition and talks to showcase our oral traditions through Lady Gregory’s studies of Folklore; and,
• video presentation by children exploring words ‘as Gaeilge’ that live in the English language throughout Ireland (subtitled).