Heritage News & Events 25.6.21

Share in the joy of heritage
Open the door to heritage is the message from the Heritage Council as it launched the 2021 National Heritage Week which takes place from 14th -22nd August. Projects should be completed in time for National Heritage Week when they will be showcased on the heritage week website. To find out more go to https://kilkennyheritage.ie/2021/06/national-heritage-week-2021-share-in-the-joy-of-heritage/

Volunteers required to join the Kilkenny Welcome Team 2021
Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is currently recruiting volunteers to join the Kilkenny Welcome Team 2021. Volunteers will be on hand on the streets of Kilkenny during the busy tourist season and will play a vital part in welcoming visitors and giving first-hand information about must see attractions, public facilities and interesting pieces of information about the city. Further information available at www.volunteerkilkenny.ie

All-Ireland Pollinator Plan June 2021 newsletter issued online
The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) have issued their June 2021 newsletter online with articles on what to spot this month, hunger gaps in the garden, promoting World Bee Day and Pledge your Garden for Pollinators. To find out more about these articles and much more go to https://mailchi.mp/biodiversityireland/all-ireland-pollinator-plan-june-2021-newsletter

St. Francis Abbey

Two Kilkenny heritage projects granted funding
Funding of €60,000 has been secured for two key heritage projects in Co. Kilkenny under the Community Monuments Fund 2021. The Abbey Quarter, Kilkenny and St. Lachtain’s Church, Freshford have both received funding under this scheme.  A Conservation Plan for St. Francis Abbey, St. Francis well and Evans turret in the Abbey Quarter will be funded. St. Lachtain’s church, Freshford has received funding for works to a renewable energy heating system and to improve interpretative facilities.   Further details available at https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/c0a0e-minister-noonan-announces-2021-community-monuments-fund-grants-of-over-4-million/

€300,000 grants for local and regional museums
Minister Martin recently announced a series of small grants for local and regional museums around the country with €310,225 made available under the Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme 2021. Butler Gallery, Kilkenny received €7,600 for the digitisation of their collection.  Further details available at https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f7aef-minister-martin-approves-over-300k-in-funding-for-local-and-regional-museums/

Vote for the Nation’s Favourite Building
The Butler Gallery at Evans’ Home has made the shortlist for the RIAI Public Choice Award 2021 and they need your vote. There are 39 projects on this year’s shortlist and are located in Ireland, London and India. Voting closes at 12 midnight, Friday 2nd July.  To view/vote go to https://riai.ie/riai-public-choice-award-2021

Ireland’s Lost Records online event
The National Archives (UK) with partners Beyond 2022 will host a fascinating online research showcase, on Wednesday 30th June @ 2pm, on the extensive replacement records in their collections and the archival and conservation work they are engaged in as part of the Beyond 2022 collaboration to create the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland. Registration is free and all are welcome. Details available at https://beyond2022.ie/?page_id=2997