THE START of Heritage Week, which features more than 1,000 events for individuals and families over the coming seven days, was celebrated by a number of events yesterday.
At Kilkenny Castle, Minister of State Michael Kitt was joined by members of the Heritage Council and non-governmental agencies including Coastwatch, Birdwatch, the Irish Seal Sanctuary and the Irish Wildlife Trust, among others, for a day of parades and face painting.
The week was also celebrated by a distinguished gathering of poets including Nobel laureate Séamus Heaney, and Pulitzer prize-winner Paul Muldoon, as well as musicians – Grammy award-winner Susan McKeown, Laoise Kelly and Aidan Brennan – at the Feis Teamhra event at the Hill of Tara, Co Meath.
Many of the coming week’s events are free, while State-owned national heritage sites are offering concession rates during the week.
For full information about Heritage Week, visit the website at www.heritageweek.ie.
