Heritage Week
National Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union in which over forty countries participate each year. The main aim of European Heritage Days are to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage and to promote Europe’s common cultural heritage. Every year millions of Europeans visit historical monuments and sites throughout Europe on European Heritage Days.
In Ireland we celebrate European Heritage Days with a full week of events throughout National Heritage Week.
“National Heritage Week celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built & natural heritage. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge culture and practices.”
This year we will celebrate the theme of “Connections, Routes & Networks”.
Dalkey’s modern day easy accessibility by public transport & older connections with the tramyard and Atmospheric Railway make it an exemplar.
Dalkey is an Irish Heritage Town. At Dalkey Castle, Living History actors from Deilg Inis bring the ancient history to colourful life with archery, barber surgery and a masterclass by cook on circular economy in medieval times, as part of every tour.
Two free living history tours for Heritage Week are available each year (booked out for 2024).
Free Heritage Week Talks:
Monday 19th August 2024, 19.30pm: The Earliest Railways of Dalkey & Killiney – A Talk by Michael McShane
Peter Pearson’s recent book, The Granite Coast, traces the social, historical and architectural development of Dún Laoghaire, Sandycove and Dalkey from a stretch of granite coastline with a small fishing village up to the present day.
Built of Dalkey granite, beginning in 1816, Dún Laoghaire Harbour is one of the most attractive artificial harbours in the world.
Peter also examines the social dimension, from settlements with evocative names like Sorrento and Vico, to the slum alleys of Kingstown and the first council housing.
This Talk will be a fascinating journey through the history and heritage of our area.
