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“This year’s theme is Connections, Routes and Networks, and celebrates how we connect to each other and the links between people and their local heritage” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “There’s a great programme of events again this year organised by heritage organisations, community groups and individuals across the county.  Heritage Week in County Donegal would not be the success it is were it not for the those people who organise events - often on a voluntary basis - and those people who support them.  The variety and quality of events planned this year is impressive. 

It includes built heritage open houses, traditional skills and crafts demonstrations, guided walks, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, talks, a conference, workshops, boat trips, bus tours, artisan fairs, historical re-enactments, launch events, traditional music and children’s activities.  There are over 20 events organised or part-funded by the Culture Division of Donegal County Council that includes the Heritage Office, Biodiversity Office, County Museum, County Archives, County Library Service, County Arts Office and the Regional Cultural Centre.” “Be sure to check out the Heritage Week website or your local newspapers for further details of events in your area.  The National Heritage Week website allows you to search by county and by day so you can plan your Heritage Week itinerary.  There is a ‘My Events Trail’ facility on the Heritage Week website that allows you to highlight the events that you’d like to attend and then you can print out, e-mail or share your events trail on social media.  County Donegal Heritage Week event organisers can collect free National Heritage Week-branded merchandise at the County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny.  These include high-visibility vests, t-shirts, hats, bunting and lanyards.” 

There are three themed days.  New this year is Heritage Open Day that takes place on Saturday, August 17 where civic and historic properties are open to the public for free.  Wild Child Day takes place on Saturday, August 24 and encourages children and families to make the most of the outdoors to enjoy and explore the heritage and biodiversity in their locality.  Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday, August 25 and celebrates Ireland’s water, our connections with it and how our history and heritage has been shaped by the sea, rivers, lakes and wetlands.  National Heritage Week is an integral part of European Heritage Days celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe.  National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council & Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said: "National Heritage Week does such an exceptional job of binding together in one festival Ireland's built, natural and cultural heritage.  The awareness and appreciation of heritage that Heritage Week has been raising over the last 25 years has done wonders for heritage, helping to shape more informed views, to change hearts and minds and to preserve of our incredible resources.  As Minister of State for Heritage, I am privileged to work with on an almost daily basis with the passionate individuals who run events every year and regularly witness first-hand the extraordinary efforts that people make to bring our heritage to life.”  Full details and updates are available on the National Heritage Week website at: www.heritageweek.ie