WHAT'S ON: Discover a range of exciting events in Leitrim in honour of National Heritage Week

National Heritage Week is taking place from Saturday, August 16 until Sunday, August 24, with a plethora of activities and events in Leitrim to honour the week.

The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week is ‘Exploring Our Foundations,’ which invites people to “delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us.”

All events in Leitrim for National Heritage Week are free, with some requiring booking to secure your slot. There are events all over the county, leaving no one having to travel too far.

Saturday, August 16

A celebration of the O’Rourke’s of Leitrim will take place on Saturday at the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton at 7:30pm. The event will dig into the story of the O’Rourkes and medieval Ireland. Leitrim actor, author and director Seamus O’Rourke will start the evening with tales and reflections from his Leitrim upbringing, followed with conversations by Dr Kieran O’Connor and Dr Seán Ó'Hoirebhárd, who will be in conversation with archaeologist Neil Jackman.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite. 

Also on Saturday, August 16 is the unveiling of a bronze sculpture in honour of the Earl Grey Girls, who left from Carrick and Mohill Workhouses in 1849. This takes place at St Patrick's Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon from 3pm to 5pm.

READ NEXT: From Apples to Waterways: Leitrim's Organic Centre celebrates Heritage Week with free events

Leitrim Women Through Time, a project by North Leitrim Women’s Centre and Scéal Heritage, will have a pop-up Leitrim women’s museum with a variety of objects from everyday rural women’s lives in the Old Courthouse, Drumkeeran from 12pm to 3:30pm.

Join researcher Peter Halligan and osteoarchaeologist Niamh Daly at Tailor McKeon’s Bar, Keshcarrigan at 2pm for a talk about the unlicensed excavation of the Sheebeg passage tomb in 1930, followed by a guided walk by Sam Moore from 3:15pm to 5pm.

There will also be a ‘Walking Through History’ event in Dromahair, starting at The Depot at 6pm, which will cover a visit to Creevelea Abbey, WB Yeats’ connection to Dromahair, O'Rourkes Banqueting Hall, and the Sligo Leitrim and North Cavan Railway.

Sunday, August 17

The replica Cottage of Margaret of New Orleans will be open to the public on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in Tully, Carrigallen. Margaret Gaffney-Haughrey left Tully for America at five years of age, where she eventually ran orphanages in New Orleans.

Top fruit expert and apple enthusiast Phil Wheal will give a talk on the history of apples from their origins, including their place in Irish heritage and folklore, at the Organic Centre, Rossinver from 2pm to 3:30pm.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

READ NEXT: Renowned Leitrim musicians perform at Abbey Haven Care residents' summer party

Monday, August 18

An exploration of the fashions and activities of a lady in the Regency will take place in Lough Rynn Castle from 7:30pm to 8:30pm, with discussions led by Dr Melissa Shiels. The talk will showcase the hair and beauty routines, and costume changes of wealthy Regency ladies going about their daily activities.

Patricia O’Reily will present a talk and exhibition exploring the foundations of an Aran knitting cottage industry born in the late 1950s in a local community in South Leitrim. This will be held in Kilnagross National School, Carrick-on-Shannon from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

Explore the decoration of church window interiors and the manipulation of light through their plain, stained and coloured glass windows with architectural researcher Una Surgrue and stained glass conservator Colette Langan at St George’s Church of Ireland, Carrick-on-Shannon from 7:30pm to 9pm.

Tuesday, August 19

Leitrim Women Through Time will host another event in Ballinamore County Library from 7pm to 9pm, honouring Leitrim women who worked in local factories, with tea, cake and a chat about memories.

Explore spoon carving and miniature wooden toy making with Steffi Otto from Heritage Crafts Alive at the Organic Centre, Rossinver from 11am to 3pm.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite. 

READ NEXT: Dromahair to NYC: Leitrim filmmaker wins Best Student Film at New York International Film Awards

Wednesday, August 20

Dr Kieran O’Connor will be hosting a talk on “The Castles of Ireland” at Parke’s Castle, Fivemilebourne at 2pm. Booking is advised by contacting Parke's Castle on 071 9164149.

Learn about our wildflower meadows and how to save seeds from our native wildflowers with Yosef Dvores in the meadow across from St. Clare's Catholic Church, Manorhamilton from 6pm to 7:30pm.

Thursday, August 21

Talamh Beo are hosting a series of farm walks across Ireland and will be doing a two-hour walk at Leitrim Hill Creamery, Drumcong from 11am to 1pm, focusing on natural heritage, agroecology and local food systems.

Friday, August 22

Enjoy Baroque and Traditional Music at Parke’s Castle, Fivemilebourne, with doors opening at 6:30pm. Members of Sligo Baroque Orchestra will present works from the 17th and early 18th centuries, with June McCormack on flute and Michael Rooney on harp. Bookings can be made by contacting Parke’s Castle on 071 9164149.

Explore the sustainable foundations of our woollen history at the Organic Centre, Rossinver, with a workshop on handspinning fleece to fabric from 1pm to 3pm.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite. 

Leitrim County Council will be launching the O’Rourkes Trail: A Touring Map of County Leitrim at Dromahair Public Library from 3pm to 3:45pm. The map brings the story of the O’Rourke clan to life through eleven key sites across the county.

READ NEXT: Carrick RFC Summer Camp 2025- three days of fun, friendship & rugby skills

Sunday, August 24

Take part in a deeply immersive, sound-based meditation experience with a gong bath at Parke’s Castle, Fivemilebourne, from 8:30am to 9:30am and 6pm to 7pm with Marielle. This is for over 18 years of age only and can be booked by contacting Parke’s Castle on 071 9164149.

Cavan and Leitrim Railway will have a range of locomotives and exhibits in operation and display for members of the public at Cavan and Leitrim Railway Museum in Dromod from 1pm to 4:30pm. There will be a fully guided tour and heritage train.

Go on a Voyage Around the Islands of Lough Gill on The Rose of Innisfree Waterbus, meeting at Parke’s Castle, Fivemilebourne, at 10:30am and returning at 12pm. Can be booked by contacting Parke’s Castle on 071 9164149.

Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre will host a riparian under-canopy walk and talk along an unnamed stream, with citizen scientist kick sampling, children’s art workshop, and refreshments from 1pm to 3pm. Contact the centre on 071 9854865 to register.

READ NEXT: Drones deployed in Longford as search intensifies for missing Leitrim man

Yosef Dvores will be at the Organic Centre, Rossinver, for a water sampling workshop in the Ballagh River, where you can find out how you can play a role in protecting our most precious resource. This takes place from 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.