History to the Fore for National Heritage Week in County Cork

A group of people at a presentation in a library.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll is urging people to discover the history, heritage and culture of County Cork as part of National Heritage Week. The annual event takes place from Saturday the 17th of August to Sunday the 25th of August.

The 2024 theme is "Connections, Routes, and Networks" and encourages people to explore the various ways that we are linked to one another, through physical or cultural connections. There will be more than 150 events in over 40 locations in County Cork.

Cork County Council is supporting a variety of community organised ‘Heritage Week’ projects including the following events hosted by County Council Libraries:

  • An exclusive screening of new documentary ‘The Castles of Cork’ in Bandon Library;
  • An exhibition on the heritage of local historical buildings in Clonakilty Library; 
  • A talk on the life of Annie Moore in Cobh Library; 
  • The Ellen Hutchins Display in Bantry Library; and
  • An exhibition of the social history of pubs in Midleton Library.

Mayor Carroll said, 

It is commendable, the number of groups, that have engaged year after year in the organising of exciting heritage events as part of the annual Heritage Week offering in County Cork. As Mayor of the County of Cork I urge everyone in the county to participate in local events this year and to support the endeavours of their local heritage ambassadors. I will be attending many myself in my home of West Cork and further afield.

Selected events across all Cork County Municipal Districts include:

  • West Cork - A guided walk through 4,000 years of the archaeology, history and folklore of Lough Hyne by local historian Terri Kearney of Skibbereen Heritage Centre.
  • East Cork - A talk by Tony Harpur about the history of the Market House in Midleton (now Midleton Library). 
  • Cobh - A writing masterclass conducted by Michael O’Sullivan, exploring themes inspired by the Old Yacht Club, including readings from a selection of his publications at the Sirus Art Centre.
  • Carrigaline - The CorkCott project at Minnane Bridge, will share their knowledge on the issues faced by owners of traditionally constructed buildings with respect to costs, energy efficiency, and skill shortages.
  • Bandon-Kinsale - Family friendly events in Charlesfort and the Bandon Walled Town Festival in Bandon, including a medieval re-enactment.
  • Kanturk-Mallow - A Meadow Walk and Talk with Ecologist Letizia Cocchiglia exploring insects and butterflies.
  • Fermoy - A collaborative workshop exploring the theme ‘Sustainable Heritage: Living in Harmony with the Land’ at Mitchelstown Library.
  • Macroom - Bespoke exhibition in An Sugán, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.  

For full details of all events taking place visit www.heritageweek.ie and for any queries email corkheritage@corkcoco.ie