HERITAGE WEEK 2018:

Heritage Week continues to grow and grow in success. Cork County Council’s Heritage Unit’s exhibition

for Heritage Week 2018 documented the success of past Heritage Weeks and also contained information

on a number of projects being undertaken in 2018 with the support of the Heritage Council, including a

publication on Heritage Europe and the County of Cork (acknowledging 2018 as the European Year of

Cultural Heritage) and a project focusing on good streetscape design.

Heritage Week 2018 in the County of Cork saw over 160 events in over 60 different locations, with

community groups and organisations making every effort to ensure a great variety of events, many with a

strong focus on Cultural Heritage, given that the theme for Heritage Week 2017 was ‘Share a Story –

Make a Connection in light of 2018 being the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The weather was kind

for the most part and public participation was outstanding.

Starting with Saturday 18th August, a number of the Week’s events are summarised in chronological

order.

Saturday 18th August 2018:

PASSAGE WEST: Children’s Games of Yesteryear

This was a lovely event for those young minds in Passage West with a variety of different games and

pastimes of yesteryear for all to enjoy. The event was organised by the Passage West Maritime Museum,

a recent new attraction in County Cork and one that is very much worth the visit!

BALLINCOLLIG: Gunpowder Mill Walk – with Rod MacConaill

Over 30 people gathered to hear Rod give a most absorbing talk on the history of gunpowder and its

production in what is now Ireland’s largest Industrial Heritage Site, the Royal Gunpowder Mills,

Ballincollig. All present were fascinated by the unique heritage of the site.

Sunday 19th August 2018:

YOUGHAL: Medieval Festival

The Youghal Medieval Festival is going from strength to strength, year after year. A wonderfully organised

event, the 2018 Festival was remarkable and August’s finest bit of sunshine was even organised for the

day that was in it! Attended by thousands of people, the day included a range of activities, games and

crafts for all the family.

KILLEAGH: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees – with Ted Cook

This was a most enjoyable and inspiring event as has come to be expected with anyone who has been at

one of Ted’s events previously. The talk commenced at 2pm in Glenbower Woods, Killeagh, where Ted

conveyed to all the importance of the world of trees and our place within them - or indeed - their place

within us. As part of the day hazel and cherry trees were planted and the entire crowd, 30 strong,

thoroughly enjoyed the event.

CASTLEMARTYR: John Saul Famous Horticulturist

The commemoration of John Saul met with national recognition in the 2016 National Heritage Week

Awards – a tremendous and well deserved accolade for those involved (Liz and Dave Maddox in

particular) in the wonderful commemoration and celebration of John Saul and family. John Saul, a

gardener from Castlemartyr in East Cork in the mid 19th Century migrated to America and became one of

the foremost horticulturists and landscape designers in the States undertaking landscaping projects at

some of today’s most noted sites such as the White House, Lafayette, the Mall … the list goes on. The

event on Sunday 19th August, attended by the always outstanding Cobh Animation Team was another

tremendous success and featured a great array of music and talks.

Monday 20th August 2018:

COUNTY LIBRARY: Making their mark – Women’s Road to Franchise

As part of Cork County Library’s Heritage Week and Creative Ireland programme Cork County Library’s

Local History Dept launched an exhibition, Making their mark – Women’s Road to Franchise at the Library

Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork. The exhibition was launched by the County Mayor, Cllr. Patrick Gerard

Murphy and the keynote talk was given by Dr. Sandra McAvoy; formerly of UCC, coordinator of the MA in

Women’s Studies. The exhibition focuses on the background to the suffrage movement in Ireland and

Britain. It concentrates on some of the prominent Cork figures involved in the movement; Hanna Sheehy-

Skeffington, Anna Haslam and the Munster Women’s Franchise League. Also included is Geraldine Laura

Lennox a native of Durrus, West Cork, who worked in London and was heavily involved in the Women’s

Social and Political Union along with Sylvia Pankhurst. Geraldine Laura was arrested for her actions and

went on hunger strike for the cause. This Cork woman had a remarkable life. Much of the material on

Geraldine Laura was provided by her family and in particular her great grandniece Karen Fitzgerald. Many

members of Geraldine Laura’s family attended the launch, her grandniece and extended family. The

exhibition displays in the County Library Building from August 21th to September 20th, Monday to Friday

from 9am to 5.30pm and in Bantry during the month of October.

COUNTY HALL: Exhibition and talk on Heritage Europe and the County of Cork

With the support of the Heritage Council, Cork County Council this year 2018 is undertaking a publication

on Heritage Europe and the County of Cork. This is the sixth instalment in the Heritage of County Cork

publication series – a series which recently received a citation of excellence at the Chambers Ireland

Excellence in Local Government Awards. The focus on Europe this year is to tie in with 2018 being the

European Year of Cultural Heritage and a talk on Cork’s connections with Europe was organised by Cork

County Council’s Heritage Officer. As part of Heritage Week an exhibition was also arranged by Cork

County Council’s Heritage Unit, featuring details of past and present projects including the

aforementioned publication as well as one looking at good streetscape design from a conservation

perspective in the County of Cork, also being supported by the Heritage Council.

CARRIGADROHID: Lovely Carrig Long Ago

Carrigadrohid has been excelling at Heritage Week events over the last number of years and this event

was right up there with the best of them. There is a wealth of heritage in Carrigadrohid and this came

alive in the evening where people could walk around the village seeing characters and re-enacted events

from long ago, from a War of Independence shoot-out to Bishop MacEgan and his role at Carrigadrohid

Castle during the Cromwellian Years in Ireland. Footage of the event was captured on the evening and

this is available to view (and well worth a look) on Youtube by searching ‘lovely Carrig long ago’ or by

using the following link - https://youtu.be/CtkB-9Yb1dI.

Tuesday 21st August 2018:

COUNTY HALL: Talk by Norma O’Connor on the Brennan Torpedo in Camden Fort Meagher

This was a most fascinating talk by Norma O’ Connor who has conducted extensive research on the

Brennan Torpedo in Camden Fort Meagher – a top secret and state of the Art Defence Mechanism in Cork

Harbour at the time. Over 30 people gathered to hear the talk which was excellently delivered.

MITCHELSTOWN: Cork County Streetscapes Design Guide for the Historic Setting - Talk and Tour

Cork County Council Architectural Conservation Officer Mona Hallinan has vast experience of the

architectural heritage of County Cork. Using her expertise she took those in attendance on a walk around

Mitchelstown looking at the great variety of architectural heritage that exists there, while pinpointing

prime examples of good conservation practice along its streetscapes. It was an excellent event and a great

way of highlighting Cork County Council’s upcoming publication ‘Cork County Streetscapes Design Guide

for the Historic Setting’, which is being supported by the Heritage Council.

COBH: The Images We Left Behind

Cobh Past and Present is wonderful premises located at Pearse Square in Cobh and the event, organised as part of Heritage Week 2018, was a most special one. A wonderful film production was put together, highlighting life in Cobh through the eyes of a portrait photographer 100 years ago. Those present all thoroughly enjoyed the event, including attendees from U.C.C.’s Film and Media Department.

Wednesday 22nd August 2018:

BALLINCOLLIG: Tree Talk and Walk with Ronan Nangle

The Regional Park Ballincollig (also known as the Gunpowder Mills Ballincollig) is steeped in heritage and not least from a flora/fauna perspective. Tree Expert Ronan Nangle, accompanied by Cork County Council Head Gardener Jack Casey, gave a fascinating talk to the 20 plus people who had gathered on that soft morning, to hear all about the various specimens of trees located within the park.

INNISCARRA: A Tour of Inniscarra Landmarks

Image courtesy of Margaret Baker, Inniscarra History Society

A wonderful evening, attended by over 50 people, took place in Griffins Garden Centre, Dripsey, where

local historian Tim O’Brien spoke about the wonderful landmarks in and around the area. The event was

organised by the Inniscarra History Society, a hard work group promoting the fantastic heritage of

Inniscarra.

Thursday 23rd August 2018:

BALLYDEHOB:

Ballydehob Community Council has been busy promoting the wonderful heritage and culture of the town

and the wider area and as part of Heritage Week, supported by Cork County Council through the Creative

Ireland Initiative, they displayed a wonderful exhibition of arts and crafts from the mid 20th century in

Ballydehob. It is an excellent exhibition and a credit to the local community, past and present.

BANTRY: Bantry Museum

Run by local volunteers this is a gem of a museum containing some wonderful artefacts and items from

throughout the many years. One could find themselves spending hours here and it is a museum well

worth the visit – a credit to the local community.

BANTRY: Ellen Hutchins Trail

Bantry is a fantastic town and a number of businesses came together in the spirit of the Ellen Hutchins

Heritage Week Festival by displaying on their shop windows: drawings and informative items relating to

the life of Ellen Hutchins (1785 0 1815) – credited as being Ireland’s first female botanist. The Festival

Team had also put a wonderful booklet together and this trail was a most enjoyable undertaking.

BANTRY: Bantry through the Ages Exhibition

Image by Adrian Curran, courtesy of Angela O’Donovan, Bantry Historical Society

Bantry Historical Society, celebrating 40 years this year, has always been to the fore during National

Heritage Week. This year a most wonderful exhibition was displayed with thanks to Noel and all at Bantry

Library, highlighting the history of the society, as well as the captivating history and heritage of Bantry

and its wider area. It was a fascinating exhibition, and was launched by the Mayor of the County of Cork

Cllr. Pat Gerard Murphy.

BANTRY: The Doonour Stone Mould and its significance in Early Bronze Age metalworking

Coinciding with the launch of the exhibition on the Thursday night in Bantry Library, a wonderful talk was

given by Sharon Weadick, Assistant Keeper of Antiquities of the National Museum of Ireland, where she

spoke about the Doonore Axe mould - a most significant Bronze Age archaeological item found on

Sheep’s Head in the 1960s. Over 70 people attended this event and all present were addressed by the

Mayor.

Friday 24th August 2018:

BALLYLICKEY: Guided Micro-Nature Trail:

Close to 30 people gathered on the morning of Friday 24th at Snave Beach, Ballylickey, to listen to a

fascinating account of the world of lichens, mosses and liverworts present. Howard Fox and Maria Cullen

from the National Botanical Gardens gave the talk, which provided a phenomenal insight into the world of

the shore. The event was a great success despite the threat of rain and was organised as part of the

award winning Ellen Hutchins Festival.

BALLYLICKEY: Living History – Letter Writing 1808

Organised as part of the Ellen Hutchins Festival this really was a most unique event in the historic setting

of Seaview House Hotel in Ballylickey. Carrie O’Flynn, in historic costume, gave an incredible insight into

life at the time (over 200 years ago) as seen through the letters that were written and indeed the

materials used. The focus of the event was firstly on letter correspondence between Ellen Hutchins and

Botanist Dawson Turner, followed by an opportunity for everyone present (close to 30) to try their hand

at letter writing using the materials of old including a lot of link and plenty of quills. It was a most

enjoyable event.

CHARLEVILLE: The Heritage of Charleville’s European Connections Exhibition

In Charleville, as part of National Heritage Week, the Charleville History Society put on a wonderful

exhibition in the Sisters of Mercy Heritage Centre showcasing Charleville’s connections with Europe. The

exhibition was a fascinating one as indeed was the venue in itself, where the story of the world can

literally be told by the contents on display therein.

Saturday 25th August 2018:

MIDLETON: Genealogy Talk

This event, hosted by Midleton Library, was undertaken by Séamus Fox, of Irish Clan Search. Séamus,

introduced by local historian Tony Harpur, gave an absorbing overview, to over 20 people, of how to go

about genealogical research, advising on aspects from Censuses and Tithe Books to the Griffith Valuation.

CLOYNE: Memories of Christy Ring in Cloyne

Heritage Week was a fitting occasion for this long awaited and inspirational afternoon where the

community of Cloyne and surrounds came together to discuss the life and legacy of hurling legend Christy

Ring. Bridget Murray shared some wonderful stories and the event was excellently organised by Cloyne

Literary and Historical Society. It was an afternoon for great stories and some wonderful Christy Ring

items and memorabilia were also on display.

Sunday 26th August 2018:

BANDON: Bandon Walled Town Festival

The Bandon Walled Town Festival is organised by a most hard working committee and this year saw a

great range of activities and entertainment for all the family from medieval coin making, pottery and

traditional music to farrier displays and puppet shows.

BALLINCOLLIG: Ceol Cois Laoi

Throughout Heritage Week Ballincollig organises a range of wonderful events for people of all ages and

walks of life to attend. The last of the 10 events was held on the afternoon of Sunday 26th August and saw

a beautiful performance of traditional Irish music by local musicians, thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Heritage Week 2018 was a great success and all are looking forward to Heritage Week 2019 already!