Radio presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin will set the bells of Christ Church ringing when he launches National Heritage Week 2012 on Tuesday 17th July from the roof of the cathedral. He will be joined by Michael Starrett, Heritage Council chief executive; Kenneth Milne, Christ Church Cathedral historian; and Pat Lidd, Dublin historian.
National Heritage Week 2012, which this year has a record over 1400 events registered, takes place nationwide from Saturday 18th to Sunday 26th August.
National Heritage Week is co-ordinated in Ireland by the Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 49 countries across Europe.
This year the Heritage Council is focusing on Ireland’s Built Heritage. During the week, over 600 built heritage events will take place with many sites and houses being made accessible to the public for the first time. The Heritage Council is delighted that so many groups and organizations involved in built heritage are supporting and celebrating the week by making their structures and buildings accessible to the public. For many of these structures, it will be the first time they are opening their doors.
All events are listed on www.heritageweek.ie and 50,000 copies of the National Heritage Week Event Guide, launched on Tuesday will be available free at various locations throughout the country.