The Lawlor’s of Naas Guide to Heritage Week in Kildare
National Heritage Week is an initiative by the Heritage Council that honours the rich tapestry of our heritage. This wonderful annual event unites communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics, and enthusiasts, fostering a collective appreciation for the value of heritage and supporting its conservation.
Spanning nine days, this year’s Heritage Week takes place from 12 to 25 August 2024, and includes Wild Child Day and Water Heritage Day. With the theme “Connections, Routes & Networks,” the event promises a diverse array of activities that highlight the intricate links within our shared history.
We've compiled a selection of must-attend events for the week, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Dive in and discover the heritage wonders awaiting you!
Art Treasure Hunt
Kildare Town Heritage Centre – 17 August 2024, 10am to 5pm
Explore the historic town of Kildare through a captivating series of artworks and artefacts. The route highlights the town's deep connections with St. Brigid (in the year of Brigid 1500), the noble equine heritage, and much more.
Visitors will receive a map adorned with clues guiding them to the locations of the art pieces. Following the route, they will be immersed in the rich heritage of Kildare in an engaging and enjoyable manner. Participants can note the exact locations of each art piece on their maps and submit them to the Heritage Centre for a chance to enter a draw, with winners announced at the end of Heritage Week.
Maps will be available at the Heritage Centre, the Library (during opening hours), and local restaurants. Delve into the heritage wonders of Kildare!
The event will also run from 19th to 22nd August 2024, from 10am to 5pm, 24th August from 10am to 5pm, and 25th August from 2pm to 5pm. To book, contact Kildare Town Heritage Centre (045 530672, info@kildareheritage.com).
Open Day at The Wonderful Barn
Wonderful Barn Leixlip – 18 August 2024, 12pm to 5pm
Join the Wonderful Barn Open Day and uncover the fascinating history of this remarkable Kildare heritage site. Guests will enjoy guided tours and informative talks throughout the day. Entrance is located off the R404.
The Wonderful Barn, a unique corkscrew-shaped structure, sits on the edge of the Castletown House Estate, once owned by the Conolly family. Though part of the estate is in Celbridge the barn itself is formally situated in neighbouring Leixlip.
Don't miss this chance to explore one of Kildare's most intriguing landmarks and dive into its mysterious past.
For more information contact Anthony (087 2128837, arkinanto@gmail.com).
If Maps Could Speak
Kill Parish Meeting Room – 19 August 2024, 8pm to 9pm
This insightful talk, presented by the former Director of Ordnance Survey Ireland, will explore the pioneering work of early Irish map makers. Attendees will hear captivating accounts of their inventions, adventures, endurance, and heroism in pre-famine Ireland.
For more information, contact Kill History Group (087 3513328, brianfrancis.mccabe@gmail.com).
Gardening for Biodiversity and Lullymore West Butterfly Walk
Bog of Allen Nature Centre – 20 August, 10am to 1pm
Enjoy a guided tour of peat-free and chemical-free gardens starting at 10am, where you can explore the rich biodiversity on display. Following this, at 11am, embark on a walk to Lullymore West Bog, home to IPCC’s butterfly reserve which hosts 26 of Ireland’s 35 butterfly species.
Light refreshments will be served at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre after the walk and talk, with a fun pond dipping activity for our younger participants.
For further information contact the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (045 860133, bogs@ipcc.ie).
‘Painting with Paper’ Collage and mixed media workshop
Naas Library – 20 August 2024, 2pm to 3pm
Join artist Liza Kavanagh for a delightful session of drawing, sticking, and cutting as participants explore and create streetscape pictures using a variety of papers and fabrics.
Suitable for ages: 7-10 years. For more information, contact Naas Library (045 980795, naaslib@kildarecoco.ie).
Tutty’s Shoemakers Remembered on HANDS RTE Award Winning Series
Naas Library – 21 August 2024, 6pm to 7.30pm
Join this special Heritage Week screening of the Hands documentary episode featuring Tutty’s Shoemakers of Naas. Michael Tutty, current manager of the family business, will be present to answer questions and demonstrate the tools and materials used in their bespoke shoemaking. Unique in Ireland, Tutty’s are the last shoemakers of their kind in the country.
HANDS is an acclaimed series of documentaries on Irish crafts, created by the renowned filmmakers David and Sally Shaw-Smith for RTÉ. These films offer intimate portraits of both the crafts and the lives of the individuals who practised them, capturing the essence of Irish heritage.
Booking required. For more information and to book, contact Naas Library (045 980795, naaslib@kildarecoco.ie).
The Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Garden
Straffan – 22 August 2024, 1pm to 5pm
An amazing collection of Model Locomotives and working stationary engines in a Magnificent Victorian Gothic building including the history of Steam.
Lodge Park Walled Garden
The 18th Century walled garden built in 1777 and revived in 1948 and 1980. A verdant oasis bristling with interesting flora consists of several flower areas and long walks.
Note: admission fee applies.
Open 17 to 25 August. For more information, contact The Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Garden (083 0168338, info@steam-musuem.ie).
Larry Stanley - A Sporting Life
Naas Library – 22 August 2024, 7pm to 8pm
Following the unveiling of a commemoration to Laurence 'Larry' Stanley in Caragh in June, this talk delves into the lasting legacy of one of Kildare's sporting greats, Laurence 'Larry' Stanley. John Lawler will discuss his research into the footballer and all-round athlete, highlighting why Larry deserves to be celebrated as one of ‘Kildare's Greats’.
For further information, contact Caragh Local History Group or Caragh Tidy Towns (087 7766425, caraghtidytowns@gmail.com).
PLAY - an intimate immersive experience in the hidden spaces of The Moat Theatre
Moat Theatre, Naas – 23 August 2024, 6pm to 7.15pm, 8pm to 9.15pm and 10pm to 11.15pm.
Experience an intimate and immersive journey through the hidden spaces of The Moat Theatre, where Shakespeare’s Hamlet intertwines with the building’s fabric, the history of the Moat Club, and the echoes of countless rehearsals. As the Moat Club celebrates its 70th Anniversary, trace the footsteps of generations of actors and listen to their memories of how this space has united them.
Please note, patrons will move through various areas of the building during the performance, including stairs. Unfortunately, there is no universally accessible alternative available. Limited seating may be available at certain points during the performance.
Also running 20 to 22 August from 7pm to 8.15pm and 9pm to 10.15pm. For more information, contact Darn Skippy Productions (045 883030, darnskippyproductions@gmail.com) or book at www.moattheatre.com.
Forest School Wild Child Day
Donadea – 24 August 2024
Growing Wild is thrilled to offer "A Day in the Wild" for children aged 5-13 years old at their site in Donadea, Co. Kildare. This Forest School-themed session encourages children to connect with nature through child-led play.
Participants will enjoy various activities including free play in nature, nature-themed crafts, den building, rope work, mud kitchen play, and creating with tools. Games aimed at enhancing their connection with nature will also be part of the day. These sessions are guided by a child-led and choice-based approach, promoting the holistic development of each child and fostering a return to nature, regardless of weather conditions.
Group 1: Age range: 5–8-year-olds, time: 10-12pm
Group 2: Age range: 8-12/13-year-olds, time: 1-3pm
For more information, contact Lucy at Growing Wild (lucy@growingwild.ie) or book at growingwild.ie.
Milltown Canal Festival
Milltown Canal – 25 August, 12pm to 5pm
The theme of this year’s festival will be “Routes”: Modes of Transport.
In 1821, horse-drawn passage boats journeyed from Dublin to Milltown, where passengers then transferred to horse and carriage for the final leg to the Curragh Races.
This year, the festival is reviving the historic journey with boat trips from Milltown to the renowned Fen. The festival promises a family fun day filled with activities such as paddleboarding, bouncing castles, music for all ages, art displays by local artists, face painting, traditional games like rings, appearances by Irish wolfhounds, demonstrations of wool weaving, and a display of old local photographs.
For more information contact Milltown Tidy Towns (087 2321143, milltowntidytowns@outlook.com).
