The high summer weeks always see a generous bounty of events across the country. As well as the peak of festival season, we have Heritage Week, when museums and cultural institutions across the city open their doors with free events for the public, emphasising Ireland’s unique national inheritance, and the at times little-appreciated details of our past that help make us what we are.
The week dating from August 23rd to August 31st is this year’s designated Heritage Week, and there is a healthy course of Dublin 4 based events, all free of course, and many kid-friendly, for when the little ones run out of phone credit or have to be prised away from the couch and the games controller for their own good.
Firstly, on Haddington Road, at the Beggars Bush Barracks, the National Print Museum will be giving two free guided tours a day for the entire week, at 11.30am and 2.30pm. The second tour is more family-oriented, the first maybe of more interest for the adults. Booking is essential for these tours, so the museum can estimate staff and facility requirements, so call ahead.
Also at the Print Museum, on the 24th of the month, is Family Fun Day, a day of workshops and demonstrations of the classic methods of printing.
Kids might get to print up their own broadsheets, or get their faces painted. This event is for under-twelves. Be sure to say hi to Vinnie Caprani, a friend of NewsFour who’s been in printing since before digital media was a pipe dream! The National Print Museum is contactable on 01 660 3770
Still in Beggars Bush Barracks, on the 31st of August, a 1916 Walking Tour will be held, focusing on the Barracks connection to the Easter Rising and, particularly, the Battle of Mount Street Bridge.
On the 27th and again on the 29th, starting from Mespil Road at 11am, Grand Canal walks will be conducted. Attendees will be given a tour of the five locks and five bridges, ending at Grand Canal Dock. A €3 donation is requested, no booking required.
Two library events of interest: on the 27th from 6.30pm at Ringsend Library, a slideshow presentation of old images of Ringsend and adjacent areas, such as Sandymount and Irishtown, will be given by Brian Siggins of the Old Dublin Society. Again, booking is required.
At the Pembroke Library on the 26th, actor Conor Doyle will be leading a trip down memory lane. In association with the Irish Theatre Archive and the Dublin City Archive, this will be a remembrance and celebration of Dublin’s Theatre Royal, and of course, booking is essential.
Lastly, for the immediate D4 area, in St John’s Church, Sandymount on the 28th through to the 31st from 10am (12am on the 31st, a singular exception), there will be a celebration of music from the newly-restored church organ, and also a remembrance of the centenary of the beginning of World War 1.
Be sure to get out and enjoy the week, there’ll be events all over the city. See www.heritageweek.ie for more information and contact details.
By Rúairí Conneely
