Annual Report 2005 - The Heritage Council

3
Heritage Week 2005
Heritage Week 2005 took place the first week in September
with over 500 events around the country highlighting the diversity
of Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage. Discussion groups,
re-enactments, poetry, music, nature walks, and archaeological
exhibitions provided enjoyment for many, thanks to the
contribution of the many citizens who helped to organise and
promote the week’s activities. For the first time a website was
set up to list all events, which proved very popular. Posters were
distributed nationally. The PR campaign successfully targeted the
media, and coverage was reached on national and local radio,
TV, and regional press. The Heritage Council together with the
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
coordinated and promoted the week.
Heritage in Schools
The Heritage Council continued to expand its primary school
programme, Heritage in Schools, operated with the INTO. Visits
to schools reached 1,100 and the distribution of visits around
the country continued to expand. The popularity of the scheme
continues to place demands on funding and, even with a 40%
increase in 2005, the demands for visits cannot be met. As this
is the only education scheme in the country that meets our
obligations on heritage, it is hoped that funding for this important
programme can be found.
Ploughing Championship
Top photo:
Photo taken during Launch of Heritage
Week at Wicklow Gaol, Organised by Deirdre
Burns, Heritage Officer, Wicklow County
Council
Middle photo:
Minister Dick Roche, Department
of Environment, Heritage and Local
Government pictured during the Launch of
Heritage Week
This year for the first time the Heritage Council took a stand
at the Ploughing Championship held in Mogeely, County Cork.
This provided the opportunity for farmers and those
interested in rural affairs to learn about the work of
the Heritage Council and to meet and put their queries
to the staff. It was a tremendous event and helped raise
the profile and work of Council in a hands-on accessible
manner. Relevant information, outlining the importance of
archaeology and natural heritage for farmers was produced
for the event.
Heritage in
Schools Scheme
• Classroom visits & field trips
• Over eighty heritage specialists available
Over eighty heritage specialists available
• Suitable for all primary school
Suitable for all primary school
age groups
AN
CHOMHAIRLE
OIDHREACHTA
• Covers a wide range of heritage topics
• Full day or half day visits
• Funded jointly by the school
and the Heritage Council
THE
HERITAGE
COUNCIL
F u n d e d b y T h e H e r i t a g e C o u n c i l a n d o p e r a t e d j o i n t l y w i t h t h e I.N.T.O.
Heritage in
Schools Scheme
2005- 2006
• Classroom visits & field trips
• Over one hundred heritage
specialists available
• Suitable for all primary school
age groups
AN
CHOMHAIRLE
OIDHREACHTA
• Covers a wide range of heritage topics
• Full day or half day visits
• Funded jointly by the school
and the Heritage Council
THE
HERITAGE
COUNCIL
F u n d e d b y T h e H e r i t a g e C o u n c i l a n d o p e r a t e d j o i n t l y w i t h t h e I.N.T.O.
2 0 0 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t 31