Check out Heritage Week events in Kildare

National Heritage Week starts tomorrow Saturday, August 17.

Heritage in Ireland comprises of tangible heritage including our historical sites, buildings, monuments, artefacts and archives,

natural heritage including our waterways, landscapes, woodlands, bogs, uplands, native wildlife, insects, plants, trees, birds and animals and intangible heritage including our customs, sports, music, dance, folklore, crafts, skills, and traditions.

Across the week there will be a variety of free events for you to take part in with the family and I am taking the

opportunity to share with you some of the natural heritage themed events that are available to you during the week. Join Newbridge Tidy Towns and Kildare Bat Group and enjoy a sunset bat talk and walk along the Liffey Linear Park in Newbridge on 17 August at 8.30pm. The meetng point for this event is at the Liffey Linear Park – The Outdoor Gym on “The

Strand”.

On Monday 19 August Allenwood Tidy Towns will be hosting a walk and talk along the banks of the Grand Canal starting at 6.30pm. The meeting point will be the picnic area beside the garage in the centre of the village so if you want to discover how the Grand Canal and your local boglands are connected join in.

The Irish Peatland Conserva#on Council will be holding two events in Kildare during the week. On the 19 August you can meet at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre (R51V293) at 11am and join a walk to Lodge Bog to explore peatland flora including insect ea#ng sundews and snorkelling bog co`ons.

While on Tuesday 20 August their second event will be held meeting once again at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre at the earlier #me of 10am you can enjoy a gardening for biodiversity talk and walk through the peat free wildlife gardens before a butterfly walk to Lullymore West Nature Reserve.

There is something for everyone on during National Heritage Week to learn more and to plan the events you would like to a`end visit www.heritageweek.ie. If you would like help identifying a wildlife observation in your community you can contact me on [email protected].

- Nuala Madigan - Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan