merrion street

Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today (Friday 17nd August) is celebrating the imminent National Heritage Week which takes place from Saturday 18th to Sunday 26th August, 2012. The main aims of Heritage Week are to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation.

The Heritage Council co-ordinates the initiative in close partnership with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Local Authorities, State bodies such as the OPW, museums and libraries and voluntary groups throughout the country.

Minister Deenihan is a long-time supporter of the Heritage Week and wishes to help raise awareness of the importance and fun of participation in Heritage Week events which he hopes will act as a catalyst for people of all ages to adopt a lifelong interest in our shared national heritage – Be Part of It, it’s part of you! is the central concept of the initiative.

Speaking about the week ahead, Minister Deenihan said, “Community involvement is at the heart of our national heritage and National Heritage Week reminds us of the importance of local communities embracing their heritage and taking a lead role in caring for it. Our heritage cannot be taken for granted; it must be cherished or the risk is that it will perish. The focus this year is on built heritage and the contribution it makes to our quality of life, jobs and tourism. During the week ahead, I intend visiting Russbourough House, in County Wicklow which is known as the jewel in crown or our Great Houses, along with Muckross House, in Kerry.

The nine-day programme of nationwide activities scheduled for National Heritage Week presents the prospect of something for everyone - that’s quite an achievement and I would very much encourage families in particular to take the time to visit and participate in the many events scheduled to take place. Over 600,000 people took part in the events organised last year. This year the numbers are set to exceed that figure – be part of it."

Further information about events is available on www.heritageweek.ie, from local authority heritage officers or by calling Callsave 1850 200 878.