Heritage Council

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR HERITAGE

REGISTER YOUR HERITAGE WEEK EVENT ONLINE, WWW.HERITAGEWEEK.IE

Get involved in your community and your heritage, is the message from the Heritage Council as online registration for Heritage Week 2009 events opens.

Speaking about Heritage Week 2009, Isabell Smyth, Head of Communications and Education at the Heritage Council said, “In times of economic pressure, Heritage Week 2009 provides a great opportunity to learn new skills, make contacts and engage with your local Heritage. Heritage Week 2009 is open to everyone; you can get involved by either organising your own event or volunteering with local groups in your area”.

Heritage Week 2009 takes place from 22nd – 30 August. To register your event log on to www.heritageweek.ie . All events must be registered by 31st May 2009 for inclusion in the Heritage Week Event Guide, which will be distributed in advance of the week throughout Ireland and Europe.

In 2008, over 1000 events ranging from whale watching, historical reenactments, wildlife tours and the opening of many stately homes to the public, took place across Ireland. This year is the 19th Heritage Week and the Heritage Council is hoping to increase the number of events taking place nationwide. Many events organised are free of charge and National Heritage sites also offer concession rates during the week itself.

 “Cultural heritage is the foundation of Ireland’s tourism industry. Heritage Week is a fantastic opportunity for communities to showcase the natural and cultural heritage in their area, attract visitors and raise revenue for their town or village. Once registered, event organizers will receives support promoting their activities from the Heritage Council, coordinators of the week”, added Smyth. 

For further information, log on to www.heritageweek.ie, email events@heritagecouncil.ie or CallSave 1850 200 878

Heritage Week is co-ordinated by The Heritage Council and funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe.

ENDS

Note to Editor:
The Heritage Council is the statutory body charged with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland’s national heritage. National heritage includes Monuments, Archaeological objects, Heritage objects, Architectural heritage, Flora, Fauna, Wildlife habitats, Landscapes, Seascapes, Wrecks, Geology, Heritage gardens and parks, and Inland waterways.
Established under the Heritage Act 1995, and operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Heritage Council provides advice to the Minister, and partners and networks with Local Authorities and a wide range of other organisations and individuals to promote Ireland’s heritage.
Heritage Week is co-ordinated in Ireland by the Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe.

Further information:
Michelle Guinan, MKC Communications, 01 7038604 /  086 3846630

Isabell Smyth, Head of Communications & Education, The Heritage Council,  056 7770777 /087 967 6889