Heritage Week (August 19 – 27) in Skibbereen this year features walks, talks, art and nature exploration. All of the events are free of charge but booking is necessary as places are limited so call Skibbereen Heritage Centre on 028 40900 to secure your place.
Historical Walk of Lough Hyne, Saturday 19th August at 2pm
Join historian Terri Kearney on a walk through 4,000 years of Lough Hyne’s history. Author of 2 books on the lough, Terri is well versed in the history, archaeology and folklore of the area. Meet at the base of Knockomagh Hill, road walk with hills. Event free of charge to celebrate Heritage Week but please give us a call on 028 40900 to reserve your place.
https://goo.gl/horVQy
Cillíní of West Cork
Tuesday 22nd August at 8pm, Skibbereen Credit Union Conference Room
An illustrated talk on Cillíní, or Children’s Burial Grounds, by historian William Casey. Cillíní are one among the most common historical sites in Ireland and they are particularly common in West Cork. Despite this fact and the fact they were used until comparatively recent times we understand relatively little about them.
This illustrated talk will explore various aspect of cillíní in West Cork, especially those located in the Skibbereen area. During the talk he will examine what these sites were used for, when they were used, the rituals and traditions were associated with them and how their locations were chosen.
This talk is free of charge to celebrate Heritage Week but places are limited so please give us a call at Skibbereen Heritage Centre 028 40900 to reserve your place.
Skibbereen Historical Walk
Wednesday 23rd August, at 6.30pm, Skibbereen Courthouse
Join local historian Philip O’Regan, co-author of the publication ‘Skibbereen: The Famine Story’, on an historical walk around the town of Skibbereen which will focus particuarly on the period of the Great Famine. Event is free of charge to celebrate Heritage Week but BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL – just call us at Skibbereen Heritage Centre 028 40900 to reserve your place on this fascinating tour.
The Fenians in Skibbereen
Thursday 24th August, 8pm, Skibbereen Credit Union Conference Room
William Casey will give an illustrated talk on the Fenians of this area to celebrate Heritage Week on Thursday the 24th of August at 8pm in the Conference Room at Skibbereen Credit Union. Admission is free but booking is essential so please give the organisers, Skibbereen Heritage Centre, a call on 028 40900
‘Sile na Gig – midwife of the soul’
Friday 25th August, 8pm, Skibbereen Credit Union Conference Room
An illustrated talk by archaeologist Áine Brosnan on this often misunderstood iconic image.
The talk will explore the origins of this mysterious medieval figurative sculpture. Its dating, and the concept in the wider context of female figures of display. Event free of charge to celebrate Heritage Week but booking is essential – please give us a call on 028 40900 to reserve your place.
https://goo.gl/kiW4Zn
Touch Tanks at Lough Hyne
Saturday 26th August, 11.30 – 1.30, North Pier, Lough Hyne
Join UCC scientists at Lough Hyne where they present the Touch Tanks event to celebrate Heritage Week again this year. See and touch creatures normally seen underwater while the scientists are on hand to interpret them. Event free of charge and open to all but in the event of inclement weather, please check the organiser Skibbereen Heritage Centre’s Facebook page to ensure that it’s going ahead, or give us a call on 028 40900.
FREE EVENT
Threads of Time Exhibition
19th – 26th August, 10am – 6pm
A fascinating and highly unusual art exhibition which utilises old Irish postcards will be on display at Skibbereen Heritage Centre during Heritage Week.
Using Irish postcards from the early 1900s, fabric from old clothes and lace and buttons, textile artist Patricia Tomlinson has created wonderful mixed media works of the endearing ‘cottages and coleens’ depiction of Ireland of that era.
Patricia will be stitching at the Heritage Centre from 11-1 on Tuesday the 22nd August and from 3-5 on Saturday the 26th August. All proceeds of the sale of these extraordinary (yet affordable) art works will go to Skibbereen Heritage Centre.