It is the busiest year by far for Offaly with a great variety of events. Some events need to be booked in advance and numbers are limited. Details below.
Birr Library Events
Wednesday 22nd August - 7.00pm
Genealogical Research – how to trace your family tree
Lecture by Susan Chadwick
Booking required
Thursday 23rd August - 2.00pm
A Genealogy clinic
with Susan Chadwick
A 15 minute appointment with Susan – she will review your family search to date and suggest possible solutions
Booking essential as places are limited
Clara Library Events
Saturday 18th August - 10.00 - 1.00pm
The Big Quest: Nature and History, Fun and Discovery for Children from 10am-1pm
(Scavenger hunts, puzzles, colouring and more!)
Thursday 23rd August - 4.00pm - 7.00pm
The Big Quest: Nature and History, Fun and Discovery for Children
Saturday 25th August - 11.00am - 1.00pm
Books alive - using modern technology and a smattering of imagination, record sound effects and voices into your very own talking book. Suitable children 9+ and children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking Essential (we are supplying the copy books but main event is taking place in bog centre)
Daingean Library Events
Wednesday 22nd August - 7.00pm
Slide show of ‘Daingean in Old Photographs’ by John Kearney . The slideshow is presented by Daingean Heritage Group.
Edenderry Library Events
Wednesday 22nd August - 7.00pm
Talk on the origin of the 'Sheela-na-gig' will be given by Ned Kelly, Keeper of Antiquities, National Museum of Ireland.
An Exhibition on 'Boglands: A future in Ireland' will run all week - this is an Exhibition on the Future of bogs in Ireland, produced by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.
Tullamore Library Events
Tuesday 21st August - 7.00pm
Local dramatist Neil Donnelly will provide an evening of poetry and music. This event has been kindly supported by Poetry Ireland.
Two exhibitions will be on view throughout Heritage Week:
Tullamore: The Story So Far will give an outline of key events in the history and development of the town
Carol Le Bourhis will display an exhibition of the re-thatching project of her house at Cappincur.
Tour of Unusual and Little Known Gardens of South Offaly
by Angela Jupe
Saturday 25 August : 10:30 - 16:30 Meet at Emmet Square, Birr for boarding the bus
Event Description: Tour of unusual and little known gardens of south Offaly, Bellefield, Laughton and Gloster, with a talk on Georgian and Victorian gardens by Angela Jupe. Bring a pack lunch. Tea and Coffee making facilities will be available. Free car parking is available in the signed car park off Wilmer road in Birr.
Admission: There is a €10 charge to cover the cost of the bus hire
Book with: Angela Jupe angelajupe@gmail.com Telephone: 086 6002180
Follies Tour of North Offaly
by Amanda Pedlow, Offaly Heritage Officer
Saturday 18 August : 14:00 - 18:00 Meet at Bus Pull in Bury Quay Tullamore
Event Description: Tour of a number of follies in North Offaly. Bring strong footwear and rain gear...
Admission: There is a €5.00 charge to cover the cost of bus hire
Book with:apedlow@offalycoco.ie Telephone: 057 9346839
There is something for everyone...
- Nature trail fun at Birr Castle Demesne.
- Family day at Lough Boora Parklands.
- Stories Unearthed, An evening with Jane Whitaker in Clara Bog Visitor Centre.
- Organ concert at the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore.
- Tracing your Family Tree in Birr Library.
- Tour of Fortified Tower House, Ballinlough Castle, Loughton, Moneygall.
- Open day at Charleville Castle.
- Guided tour of restored 18th century Oat Mill at Belmont Mills.
- Steam threshing at Clonbullogue.
Please check on www.heritageweek.ie for more details.