More than 60 events are to be held across County Sligo as part of National Heritage Week 2025.
Heritage Week Launched in Sligo
At the launch of Heritage Week 2025 in Sligo were (Left to Right) Martin Lydon (Chief Executive, SCC), Wendy Lyons (Vice-Chair, County Sligo Heritage Forum), Cllr. Dónal Gilroy (Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council and Chair of County Sligo Heritage Forum) and Siobhán Ryan (A/Senior Heritage Officer, SCC)
The initiative runs from Saturday, 16th August, until Sunday, 24th August and most are free. A colourful range of events and projects celebrating all aspects of our built, natural and cultural heritage will take place across the county.
Launching National Heritage Week in Sligo, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council and Chair of County Sligo Heritage Forum, Cllr. Dónal Gilroy outlined:
‘This year’s theme is ‘Exploring Our Foundations’, and everyone is encouraged to explore our heritage and to examine the foundations upon which our communities, cultures and landscapes are built. There’s an impressive programme of events taking place across the county organised by heritage organisations, community groups and individuals – many on a voluntary basis. It’s their commitment, dedication and effort that makes Heritage Week in County Sligo such a great success.’
Heritage Week is coordinated nationally by The Heritage Council in partnership with the Local Authority Heritage Teams and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events, celebrating Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage and aiming to generate awareness, appreciation and preservation of our wonderful heritage resource.’
The theme for National Heritage Week this year is ‘Exploring Our Foundations’, which invites us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us. Heritage Week invites us all to explore the links between people and communities, to look at what brings us together and what connects us.
There are also themed days as part of the week. Wild Child Day takes place on Saturday, 23rd August and encourages children and families to make the most of the outdoors to enjoy and explore the heritage and biodiversity in their locality. While, Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday, 24th August and celebrates Ireland’s water, our connections with it and how our history and heritage has been shaped by the sea, rivers, lakes and wetlands.
Siobhán Ryan, A/Senior Heritage Officer with Sligo County Council added:
‘We are encouraging everyone to get involved and to support the efforts of the many individuals and groups who have organised events for National Heritage Week in Sligo. Heritage Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate and share the best of the built, natural and cultural heritage of our County, whether it is attending a talk, going for a guided walk or visiting a local heritage site. This is just the beginning though. As most of the heritage sites celebrated during Heritage Week are open all year-round. The museums of the County, many built heritage sites and wildlife areas are all there to be explored at any time.’
Want to find out more?
Updates and details of Heritage Week events taking place in Sligo and nationally are available on www.heritageweek.ie. While regular Heritage Week updates for Sligo will be posted on the Sligo Heritage Office Facebook page.