Heritage Week on Wexford Heritage Trail 2019
August 17th-25th 2019
Join Wexford Heritage Trail to celebrate National Heritage Week 2019.
For a full list of events happening in Wexford during National Heritage Week, please visit the National Heritage Week website.
HERITAGE WEEK - FREE ENTRY
John F Kennedy Memorial Park & Arboretum
Ballyhack Castle, Ferns Castle
Free Guided Tours at Hook Lighthouse from August 17th -23rd
Archery at INHP
Try your hand at archery and try to hit the bullseye! Archery will be open every day at teh INHP from 12noon to 5pm during Heritage Week. Only €3 for 10 shots (Admission rates apply)
Birds of Prey at INHP
The falconry centre will be open every day from 12noon to 5pm. Our master falconer Jim will introduce you to an array of amazing birds of prey including owls, hawks and falcons. (Admission rates apply)
SATURDAY AUGUST 17TH 2019
10:00am – 11:30am
SIÚL LADHRÚ: LAROO
Siúl Ladhrú is a 7km linear walk linking beautiful Blackwater to the Unyoke hamlet via the only Kame and Kettle landscape in Ireland. We will return you to to the start point.
The Book of Conquests tells how Lyra, (grandson of Noah) was the first to arrive after here the Flood, and legend says he is buried here. Lose all sense of time in rolling hills and glacial lakes of the Kame and Kettle
12:00noon- 5:00pm
WEXFORD WALLED TOWN MEDIEVAL DAY
Selskar – Westgate Tower/Heritage Centre Green Area
Wexford Walled Town Medieval Day is a free fun day for all the family on the 17th August to mark the start of Heritage week. Come and see Viking Shield making Falconry and weaponry displays battle re-enactments Children’s digging pits and Pottery Making Face painting musical entertainment Hear our story teller bringing to life the arrival of Vikings in the 9th century and how they built a wall around Harbour of the Mud Flats. The Town Wall in Wexford is steeped in history and our Tour Guide will provide extensive expertise and knowledge about the history of the wall and town during the guided walking tours on the day
12noon and 3pm (each tour lasting approx 1-1.5hrs)
Celtic Tree Trail
John F. Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
Trees had an important status in Celtic Irish mythology. Travel back in time, join one of our guides, and learn about the importance this ancient culture placed on our native tree flora by exploring our native tree collection.
2:00pm – 3:30pm
3:30pm – 4:45pm
THE HIDDEN HISTORY IN THESE WALLS 1
Ballyhack Castle
A castle tour and local walk will present Ballyhack Castle’s location, history purpose and geological context. What can the building stone tell us? How did geology influence community history?
OPW personnel and local geologist, Bill Sheppard, will weave together the human and geological heritage of the Ballyhack area and castle. The concept of geology as a ‘Sleeping Giant’ with considerable influence on community development is introduced. From a vantage point Waterford Harbour will be viewed and outcropping rock will be discussed. Similar Heritage Week events are planned at Tintern and Dunbrody Abbeys. Good footwear is required.
SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH 2019
12:00noon – 4:00pm
FAMILY FUN SUNDAY
Hook Lighthouse
Fun is to the for! The BBQ will be fired up at Hook Lighthouse, games on the lawns, entertainment and there are reports of Pirates on the horizon.
2:00pm – 4:00pm
FUN AT FERNS CASTLE
Ferns Castle
Come along to Ferns Castle Visitor Centre and enjoy an afternoon of music, song, dance, workshops, games and guided tours!
2:00pm – 3:30pm
3:30pm – 4:45pm
THE HIDDEN HISTORY IN THESE WALLS 1
Ballyhack Castle
A castle tour and local walk will present Ballyhack Castle’s location, history purpose and geological context. What can the building stone tell us? How did geology influence community history?
OPW personnel and local geologist, Bill Sheppard, will weave together the human and geological heritage of the Ballyhack area and castle. The concept of geology as a ‘Sleeping Giant’ with considerable influence on community development is introduced. From a vantage point Waterford Harbour will be viewed and outcropping rock will be discussed. Similar Heritage Week events are planned at Tintern and Dunbrody Abbeys. Good footwear is required.
MONDAY AUGUST 19TH 2019
11:00am -2:00pm
FREE GUIDED TOUR AND WEAPONS DISPLAY
National 1798 Rebellion Centre
Free Guided tour of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre, as well as a display of the weapons used during the rebellion.
3:00pm -4:00pm
COIN STRIKING
The Irish National Heritage Park
Do you fancy striking your own Viking Coin? Come along and have a go at making Viking money!
(Free Event)
5:00pm -7:00pm
SIGGINSTOWN CASLTE TOUR
Sigginstown
Learn about Sigginstown Castle and the Siggins, Jacob, and Wilson families who occupied it. We will tour the different buildings, and explain the history and plans for the future.
TUESDAY AUGUST 20TH 2019
12noon and 3pm (each tour lasting approx 1-1.5hrs)
CLEVER TREES
John F Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
From prehistoric survival strategies to underground communication, just how clever are trees? Take a guided tour with one of our guides and learn more about our clever tree collection!
12noon to 12.15pm
CORN DRYING KILN TALK
The Irish National Heritage Park
Learn about the evolution of milling technology through history from the early saddle querns right up to the horizontal watermill.
(Admission rates apply)
3:00pm – 4:00pm
BIRDS OF PREY SHOW AND TELL
The Irish National Heritage Park
Birds of Prey show and tell on the restaurant terrace. Our master falconer Jim will introduce you to an array of amazing birds of prey including owls, hawks and falcons. (Free event)
5:00pm -7:00pm
SIGGINSTOWN CASLTE TOUR
Sigginstown
Learn about Sigginstown Castle and the Siggins, Jacob, and Wilson families who occupied it. We will tour the different buildings, and explain the history and plans for the future.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21ST 2019
August 21st
10.00am – 5.00pm
DISCOVERY TRAIL
John F Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
Intrepid explorers will discover lots about the arboretum with this free adventure. Pick up your free trail map at the Visitor Centre. Suitable outdoor clothing/footwear advised. Suited to Families/Children. The Discovery Trail takes approx. 1-1.5hrs to complete.
10.00am – 5.00pm
THE ANCIENT CRAFT OF KNITWEAR
John F Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
Demonstration of Heritage Knitting techniques by Mary Redmond. Knitting display and demonstration. Suited to Families/Children. Free Event. No booking necessary. This event will take place in the Visitor Centre.
11:30am – 2:00pm
FULACHT FIADH DEMONSTRATION
The Irish National Heritage Park
Experience an ancient cooking method used by our ancestors when the Fulacht Fiadh is fired up. These cooking pits were used all across Ireland in the Bronze Age. Meat was wrapped in straw and placed into a pit of boiling water which had been heated using rocks from a fire.
(Admission rates apply)
12noon to 1:00pm
BRASS RUBBING
The Irish National Heritage Park
With some paper and a wax crayon, trace over the brass piece and reproduce a beautiful design.
(Free event)
12noon to 5:30pm
GET WILD AT WELLS
Wells House
Let the little ones run wild on our nature scavenger hunt with a treat at the end! Get eco-active & make paper mache with us out of recyclable materials and you can take our nature quiz too!
Our paper mache workshop will create an eco-friendly way for you to grow your very own plants and we will help you plant them! Our workshop is €2 per child and all other activities are included in our €10 per car admission fee and you can enjoy everything else we have to offer like our fairy walks, playground, animal farm and more!
2:00pm – 3:00pm
3:00pm – 4:00pm
THE HIDDEN HISTORY IN THESE WALLS 2
Dunbrody Abbey
A tour and talk to present Dunbrody Abbey’s location, history and geological context. What can the building stone used tell us? How did geology influence community history?
Local geologist, Bill Sheppard, will weave together the human and geological heritage of the Dunbrody area and Abbey. Did the building stone used change through time to give insights into construction history? Where was the stone sourced? How did the geological history evolve and impact on human history? Similar Heritage Week events are planned at Ballyhack and Tintern. Supportive footwear.
THURSDAY AUGUST 22ND 2019
12noon to 1:00pm
BRASS RUBBING
The Irish National Heritage Park
With some paper and a wax crayon, trace over the brass piece and reproduce a beautiful design.
(Free event)
3pm -4pm
COIN STRIKING
The Irish National Heritage Park
Do you fancy striking your own Viking Coin? Come along and have a go at making Viking money!
(Free Event)
FRIDAY AUGUST 23RD 2019
12noon to 1:00pm
BRASS RUBBING
The Irish National Heritage Park
With some paper and a wax crayon, trace over the brass piece and reproduce a beautiful design.
(Free event)
12noon to 12.15pm
CORN DRYING KILN TALK
The Irish National Heritage Park
Learn about the evolution of milling technology through history from the early saddle querns right up to the horizontal watermill.
(Admission rates apply)
12noon (duration 1-1.5hrs)
WALKING TOUR – CORMAC DOWNEY
John F Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
Cormac Downey, OPW Tree Officer and Arboriculturist will lead a walking tour in the arboretum, highlighting some of the magnificent trees in the collection.
1:15pm – 3:00pm
3:00pm – 4:45pm
THE HIDDEN HISTORY IN THESE WALLS 3
Tintern Abbey
A tour, short local walk and talk to present Tintern Abbey’s location, history and geological context. What can the building stone used tell us? How did geology influence community history?
OPW personnel and local geologist, Bill Sheppard, will weave together the human and geological heritage of the Tintern area and Abbey. Did the building stone used change through time and where was it sourced. How did geological history evolve and impact on human history. The walk will examine some outcropping rock and discuss the landscape of the area. Similar Heritage Week events are planned at Ballyhack and Dunbrody. Good footwear is required.
8.00pm – 9.30pm
BAT WALK
John F Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
Join us for a guided bat walk to seek out one of our most mysterious Irish mammals, the Bat. Harm Deenen, Field Ecologist will lead this walk and be on hand with bat detectors, to help find bats in the arboretum and woods of the JFK Arboretum.
SATURDAY AUGUST 24TH 2019
3pm -4pm
COIN STRIKING
The Irish National Heritage Park
Do you fancy striking your own Viking Coin? Come along and have a go at making Viking money!
(Free Event)
SUNDAY AUGUST 25TH 2019
12noon to 12.15pm
CORN DRYING KILN TALK
The Irish National Heritage Park
Learn about the evolution of milling technology through history from the early saddle querns right up to the horizontal watermill.
(Admission rates apply)
2:00pm – 4:00pm
GAME OF THRONES HOUSE SHIELD AND HARRY POTTER HOUSE CRESTS
Ferns Castle
Design your own Game of Thrones House Shield at a real medieval castle! Get your photo taken on the castle drawbridge, ready to defend the castle from white walkers!
2:00pm – 4:00pm
MUSIC AT FERNS CASTLE
Ferns Castle
Castlebridge Gospel Choir will lift our spirits in the visitor centre while a classical guitar recital in the castle chapel will provide a wonderful accompaniment for the guided tours.
3:00pm – 4:00pm
BIRDS OF PREY SHOW AND TELL
The Irish National Heritage Park
Birds of Prey show and tell on the restaurant terrace. Our master falconer Jim will introduce you to an array of amazing birds of prey including owls, hawks and falcons. (Free event)
12noon to 5.00pm
CRAFT FAIR
John F Kennedy Arboretum
**FREE ENTRY DURING HERITAGE WEEK**
Our popular Craft Fair returns this year with a wide variety of craft products ranging from pottery, handcrafted jewellery, glass art, heirloom quilts, handmade timber products, wood-turned creations, aromatic skincare, handmade knitwear, photographic prints, paintings and illustrations to name a few.