Readings and recitals about eight of Ireland's heritage houses and castles will start next weekend in Co Laois. Organised by the Office of Public Works (OPW), the programme opens at Heywood Gardens, Ballinakill, and concludes on October 16th at Emo Court, Co Laois.
At the launch of the series on family connections to houses and castles, Minister of State at the OPW Tom Parlon said: "The humour and humanity of family events and emotional occasions are startling in their proximity. We have put them together over eight evenings in these eight properties to bring together the physical evidence of another time."
At Heywood Gardens on Sunday, Charles Lutyens, a descendant of designer Sir Edwin Lutyens, will speak.
On Tuesday, September 20th, the FitzGerald connections will be remembered at Maynooth Castle, Co Kildare, by former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, the Knight of Glin Desmond FitzGerald and Irish Times journalist Renagh Holohan.
At Rathfarnham Castle, Co Dublin, on September 22nd, Simon Loftus and the provost of Trinity College, Dr John Hegarty, will read correspondence.
Broadcaster Eamon de Buitlear will read at The Main Guard, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, on September 23rd.
Also on September 23rd, the Conolly connections will be explored at Castletown, Celbridge, Co Kildare.
At Glebe House and Gallery, Churchill, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, the life and work of Derek Hill and his friends will be explored on September 30th.
Roscrea Castle and Damer House, Co Tipperary, will be the subject on October 4th, and the earls of Portarlington at Emo on October 16th.
Tickets by phone (01 6476585) or by email to catherine.oconnor@opw.ie