Heritage News Update – July

Mass Paths Kilkenny

Kilkenny County Council have begun Phase 2 of the Kilkenny Mass Paths Survey. The Survey is being carried out by Pat Reid from Wicklow Willow with funding from the Heritage Council and Kilkenny County Council.

Mass paths were once well-trodden tracks across the countryside but traces of them are now being eroded by time and we need your help to identify what remains on the landscape and in memory. We will be carrying out workshops to train communities in recording mass paths and other aspects of local heritage in the coming months as part of this project. Please contact the Heritage Office at Kilkenny County Council if you are interested in getting involved or with any information or stories about mass paths in your area at heritage@kilkennycoco.ie or 056 779 4923.

National Heritage Week 17th – 25th August 2024.

Heritage week is fast approaching us and is a great opportunity to showcase local heritage in Co. Kilkenny. The Heritage Week Portal is now open, so please register your event as early as possible at: – https://www.heritageweek.ie

Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office also has a limited number of Heritage Week branded merchandise available for events registered on the Heritage Week Portal. These include flags, bunting, high-vis vests etc.

If you would like some merchandise for your Heritage Week event, please contact the Heritage Office by emailing heritage@Kilkennycoco.ie advising what you would like and the quantity.

For further information, please email heritage@kilkennycoco.ie  or phone 056 7794907.

You are invited to take part in a Kilkenny tradition that predates Christianity.

Fraochan Sunday on Tory Hill, July 14th

Members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society will join locals and others, on Sunday July 14th, for the annual climb of Tory Hill on Fraochan Sunday. This ancient tradition pre-dates Christianity and is associated with the ancient festival of Lughanasa.

John Dwyer, who has written extensively on Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, will give a talk, on the summit of the hill, on the traditions associated with Fraochan Sunday and mass will be celebrated, by the Bishop of Ossory Dr. Niall Coll, at 3.30pm.

Due to the limited availability of parking and to assist those not familiar with the area, a meeting point has been arranged for 1.30pm at Mullinavat Church Car Park, where it is suggested that people would car pool if possible.

For more information please visit: – Journey Through Time on Fraochan Sunday – Creative Ireland Programme