National Heritage Week 12th – 20th August 2023

A picture of 5 swords leaning against a table

This year’s theme invites you to explore the traditions and practices, knowledge and skills passed down through generations.  National Heritage Week 2023 in County Cork will see over 130 events right throughout the county, surpassing the number of events held in the county during 2022.   

Cork County Council has supported a range of Heritage Week projects and initiatives through the County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2023 – an initiative of Cork County Council’s Heritage Unit, supported by the Heritage Council; over 20 events have been directly supported in this regard. This includes events taking place across the Library network as well as community-organised events in towns, villages and parishes throughout the county. 

The Council’s Library Service is undertaking a range of events: 

  • unveiling of a c.1860 map of Bandon and a talk on the importance of maps for understanding local history in Bandon Library; a talk on the Holy Wells of County Cork, by Author Amanda Clarke, also in Bandon Library, 
  • an exploration of the Irish Newspaper Archive in Skibbereen Library, 
  • a talk on the history and heritage of Youghal in Library HQ, 
  • a talk on the archaeology discovered along the M28 in Cobh Library, 
  • the Ellen Hutchins Display in Bantry Library, 
  • and a talk on St. Brigid in Mitchelstown Library.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Frank O ’Flynn is encouraging everyone in the county to attend the events in their local area,

I would like to commend the dozens of groups, individuals and organisation that have spent the last twelve months working tirelessly to organise these events which bring our heritage to life, many of which I hope to attend myself.

Each of County Cork’s 8 Municipal Districts will see a range of events: 

In Macroom on the afternoon of Monday 14th, there will be a walking tour of Macroom Town, looking at its architectural heritage, organised by Macroom MD as well as an exhibition on Liam Lynch in Macroom Town Hall by Artist Dolores Lyne. 

In the Fermoy Municipal District there will be a children’s safari on the banks of the River Funcheon and a presentation on the local Castle in Glanworth 

In the East Cork MD, there will be a Heritage Day in Cloyne Cathedral on Saturday 12th. Cobh will see a fitting array of events including a mini-beast hunt and the Big American Swim at Cobh’s American Pier, as well as a bat walk at Cuskinny and a vintage car show.

West Cork sees dozens of events from Bantry to Skibbereen and Clonakilty to Bere Island and in Carrigaline there will be a talk on archaeology on the evening of August 14th. 

In the Bandon-Kinsale MD there are numerous events taking place including many family friendly events in Charlesfort and the Bandon Walled Town Festival in Bandon, which includes medieval re-enactment. 

In the MD of Kanturk-Mallow, there will be a Wild Child Day in Kanturk and a nature talk by Ted Cook at the Nano Nagle Centre, just west of Killavullen. 

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