Now Ye're Talking - to Niamh from National Heritage Week (22-30 Aug)

Boards.ie: Niamh

This week we have Niamh from the Heritage Council here to answer your questions about National Heritage Week. There are events nationwide so check out your local guide to see what you can see and do in your own area.

National Heritage Week wrote:

From the 22nd to 30th August 2015 over 400,000 people will take part in over 1,800 heritage events around the country including:

• archaeological digs in Swords,
• High Nelly Bicycle tours in Laois,
• linen-making in Monaghan,
• exploring the Victorian Water Works in Cork,
• navigating the Boyne,
• steam engine rides in Stradbally,
• copper mining in Allihies and so much more.

Co-ordinated by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week celebrates our built, natural and cultural heritage and encourages its preservation for generations to come.

For more information on what’s on in your area for National Heritage Week 2015, see www.heritageweek.ie.

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Niamh from National Heritage Week will be here later in the week to answer any questions you have about the festival or programme of events but you can start posting questions as soon as you like

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looksee

Hi Niamh, can you estimate how many volunteers are involved in this week throughout the country? I am one of a group of four adults and two children putting on a 2 day event, some events may only have one person, others are much larger groups.

Looking at the listing it looks like a huge turn out of interested people putting on the events, and even more of course attending them! Its very satisfying to see such a lot of people giving their time and energy to a national effort.

National Heritage Week: Niamh

Hi Looksee,

There are around 1,000 event organisers involved in National Heritage Week ranging from museums to OPW sites to community groups and volunteers.


Like you said, some organisers have a team behind them so you can multiply that number up to get a real idea of how many people are involved in bringing National Heritage Week to life.

Last year, nearly 50% of our event organisers were from community and voluntary groups.

Volunteers are really important to the heritage sector and National Heritage Week wouldn't be the same without them!

Here's a nice article about it that was in the Irish Times recently:
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/behind-the-news-conor-newman-volunteering-fan-1.2303411