Heritage Week 2025 is taking right now from the 16th to the 24th August. The theme for National Heritage Week 2025 is ‘Exploring Our Foundations’. This theme invites people to investigate the core elements of Irish heritage, ranging from historic buildings and natural landscapes to cultural customs and traditions. ’Exploring Our Foundations’ encourages participants to explore the history embedded in Ireland’s architecture, landscapes, and cultural practices and to connect with the past by reflecting on how historical influences continue to shape life today. The theme also fosters community involvement by encouraging active engagement and knowledge-sharing within communities. Lastly the theme celebrates the richness and diversity of heritage by embracing all forms of heritage; built heritage, cultural traditions, and natural heritage.
In conjunction with the many events happening across the country during Heritage Week 2025, we are highlighting a selection of collections available on the IAR website that complement the theme or subject of these events.
Quin Heritage Day: Celebrating Our Past
Details about the event
A celebration of the heritage of the town Quin in County Clare has been planned for the 16th August from 10.30am – 5pm and will take place at Quin Community Centre, Saint Fineen’s Parochial Hall, Quin, V95 RX75, Co. Clare.
There will be a number of exhibits to explore that will feature items such as vintage photographs, historical artifacts, antique farm machinery, and model railways. There will be opportunities to learn about the history of Quin Townlands and to explore the Historic Graveyard project that has taken place.
There will also be a number of events taking place. A guided Village heritage walk is taking place at 10.30am. Joe McCooney is hosting a talk about Quin Excavations at 11.30am. Oral interview discussions will take place at 12.30pm. Lastly Martin Breen will host a presentation on Quin Castles at 3.30pm.
Related IAR Collection
Jerome A. Fahy was born in 1880 and ran the family farm at Deerpark, Quin, Co. Clare. From 1901 he was also employed by Clare Council Council, working initially as a clerk and later as County Accountant until his retirement in 1945. He died on 4 September 1954.
His collection, titled ‘Jerome A. Fahy Papers’, consists, for the most part, of his diary entries covering the years 1902 to 1952 in which he records in detail all aspects of his daily routine, notably his work on the family farm and as county Council employee at Ennis Court House, his social engagements and the births, deaths and marriages of his friends and neighbours. Also included is his personal correspondence, financial transactions, photographs of Fahy and some ephemeral items relating to farming and agriculture.
An overview of the collection is accessible on Irish Archives Resource website.
Tour of Ballitore Quaker Burial Ground and digitisation of the Clibborn family collection
Details about the two events
Tours of the Ballitore Burial Ground dating from circa 1743 will take place on 16th and 23rd August. Access is across a meadow and you will learn the history of the burial ground and see graves of the Shackletons, including the grandparents of Antarctic Explorer Ernest Shackleton, the Leadbeaters, and Abel Strettel, one of the first Quaker settlers in Ballitore.
Martin Fagan, a former Archivist at Strokestown House, will discuss a project currently underway to digitise material from three private collections held by Westmeath Libraries. One of these collections is the late 18th-20th century material relating to the Clibborn family, one of the principal Quaker families that settled in Moate during the Cromwellian Plantation. This event will take place in Mullingar Library on 19th August from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Related IAR Collections
The Upton Papers consists of the papers of Henry Arthur Shuckburgh Upton (1870-1947) of Coolatore, Moate, Co. Westmeath is an important resource for resourcing genealogy and family history in the Irish midlands. Included in this collection are the minute books of the meeting books of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Moate and Leinster (1798-1852).
The Quaker Archive consists of a series of letters written between members of the Shackleton and Grubb families, mainly between Margaret Grubb née Shackleton (1751-1829) and her sister Mary Leadbeater née Shackleton (1758-1826). It also includes letters from Richard Shackleton (1726-1792) and Elizabeth Leadbeater (born 1792) and from members of the extended family. The letters offer a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of women within the Quaker communities of Ballitore in County Kildare, and Clonmel in County Tipperary. They reflect on domestic life, personal health, and the wellbeing of their families, while also documenting significant events such as marriages, births, and deaths within their circles. The correspondence frequently mentions attendance at Society of Friends meetings, along with occasional reflections on developments within the Quaker faith, contemporary events, and political unrest. Many letters also detail experiences of illness and death, particularly among young children, and describe the remedies and treatments used at the time.
Digitisation of early 19th century book of maps of lands of Thomas Nugent of Dunore, Co Westmeath
Details about the event
As mentioned above, Martin Fagan a former Archivist at Strokestown House, will discuss a project currently underway to digitise material from three private collections held by Westmeath Libraries. The second collection in this project consists of an early 19th century book of maps of lands of Thomas Nugent of Donore, Co Westmeath.
Related IAR Collection
The Farren Connell Papers is the archive of the Nugent family of Farren Connell, County Cavan and is a vast collection of around 1600 documents and 23 volumes of genealogical and historical writings. Included in this collection are the draft settlements of the estate of Thomas Nugent, 6th Earl of Westmeath.
The Land Remembers Longer than Names: Uncovering the Famine in the Bath Estate Archives
Details about the event
In this lecture by Dr. Michelle McGoff-McCann will discuss the human drama behind estate management during the Great Famine by examining the correspondence of Tristram Kennedy, the land agent who served the tenants of the Bath Estate from 1846-1851. This event will take place on 21st August from 5pm to 6.30pm at The Workhouse, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.
Related IAR Collection
The Shirley Papers comprise c.20,000 volumes and documents relating to the history and management of the estate and local political affairs of the Shirley family of Lough Fea, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan in the period 1576-1960. The Shirley estate, with the adjoining Bath estate, were two of the largest in the county. The collection is a wealth of information and contains information about the management of the estate before, during and after the Great Famine. Examples of this from within the collection are letters and papers of E.J. Shirley and the agent W.S. Trench 1843-1845 concerning the problem of heavy rent arrears on the Shirley estate in 1844 and (in retrospect ominous) printed literature from Dublin Castle, advising farmers on what measures to take against the potato blight in 1845.
Tour of Dromana House
Details about the event
Personal guided tours of Dromana House and Gardens in Cappoquin, County Waterford are being offered by family members. The house will be open from 2pm to 6pm daily from 16th to 24th August and tours will be taking place at 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
Related IAR Collection
The Earl of Cork Bound Volume contains rental information for Richard Boyle, the Second Earl of Cork, 1612-1698. The second part of the volume is a catalogue of the books in the library of Dromana House, Co. Waterford. This was written by Reverend Harrys Oldfield in 1795 and he also wrote a catalogue of his own personal library.
Charles Fort Military Fortress tour
Details about the event
On 16th August there will be free admission to Charles Fort Military Fortress. Visitors will be able to explore the 17th century star-shaped coastal artillery fort overlooking Kinsale Harbour, visit exhibitions and take guided tours. This is an opportunity to learn about military architecture, strict disciplinary rules, siege warfare, and the lives of the soldiers and their families.
Related IAR Collection
The Arthur Browne MS collection consists of a bound journal of Arthur Browne and papers containing information about Arthur Browne and his family. The journal is mainly related to his post as Lieutenant Governor of Charles Fort, Kinsale and is mostly dated to 1790 – 1792, although there are some earlier references. The collection features a chronological summary of the life of Lt. Col. Arthur Browne, Lt. Governor of Charles Fort and Kinsale’, from his birth in 1743 to his death in 1827. Also included is correspondence, a note that lists Charles fort as the permanent residence of Governor Arthur Browne and family that also mentions that it was supposed to be ‘a haunted house’ and a photocopy of drawing or painting of Charles Fort, Kinsale dated to either the 18th or 19th century.
To view the digitised volume please click here.
Tour of St Finbarr’s Hospital/Cork Union Workhouse Buildings
Details about the event
Tours of Cork City’s workhouse will be available on 20th August from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the workhouse, which was created to house 2,000 people in 1841 and housed over 5,000 during the Great Famine. The meeting point is just inside the gates of St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork City.
Related IAR Collection
The Cork Board of Guardians collection is extensive and covers from 1839, when Cork Poor Law Union was established, up to 1933. The Cork House of Industry, a charitable ‘workhouse’ connected to the South Infirmary Hospital, was designated as the temporary union workhouse catering for Cork City and the surrounding land and it opened on 1 March 1840. A new purpose built workhouse, located at Douglas Road, Cork, with an attached infirmary, opened in late 1841/early 1842.
This collection consists of minute books that record the proceedings of the Board’s meetings 1841–1924, correspondence, financial account books 1839-1925, records of the internal administration and day to day management of the workhouse 1847-1924, records of inmates of the workhouse 1840-1923 and a related series that consists of extensive records of deaths in the Workhouse 1853-1931, and records of the fostering and boarding out of children 1893 – 1924.
Please note that this collection is extensive and the entire scope and content has not been listed here.
Wolfe Tone: the one act play, and a talk on his life and legacy
Details about the two events
On 18th August at 7pm Lorca Theatre presents Wolfe Tone, Irish Revolutionary a fully costumed one act play by Bill Sullivan on the life and times of Wolfe Tone. The event will last until 9.30pm and will take place at The City Library, Grand Parade, Cork.
Dr. Rúin O’Donnell will host a talk on the life of Wolfe Tone at Central Library, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on 21st August at 6.30pm. Dr O’Donnell is an expert on the history of Irish republicanism worldwide and has researched, written and spoken about the events of 1798 and the life of Wolfe Tone.
Related IAR Collection
The Wolfe Tone papers are held by Trinity College Dublin and consist of 11 volumes of diaries, correspondence, and autobiographical papers of Theobald Wolfe Tone dated from 1763 to 1798.
Raising the Curtain on Cork City’s Amateur Dramatic Heritage, 1923-1930
Details about the event
In order to explore the role of the amateur dramatic movement in Cork City after the Civil War 1923-1930 members of ‘The Loft’ will provide a short performance to celebrate the centenary of the group. Dr. Fiona Brennan, a theatre historian and an independent researcher, will give a talk on the exhibition titled ‘Raising the Curtain on Cork City’s Amateur Dramatic Heritage, 1923-1930’. The event will take place in Hollyhill Library, Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork on 16th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd August, 10am – 5:30pm.
Related IAR Collections
The Irish Film Society grew out of the Dublin Film Society (1930) and the work carried out by the Dublin Little Theatre Guild. The first screening of the Irish Film Society was in November 1936 and by the end of the 1940s it had over 2,000 members. Branches were later established in other areas of the country, including Sligo, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford; and Cork, where the first season of films was held in 1950-51. The volume in this collection consists of minutes of committee meetings of the Cork Branch of the Irish Film Society dating from 29 April 1959 to 17 April 1969, with additional notes and enclosures with dates up to 1977.
The Cork Shakespearian Society was established in February 1894 and meetings were held at Crawford Municipal School. This collection includes the minute book of Cork Shakespearian Society from 1894 to 1901.
Exploring our Foundations at Rathfarnham Castle
Details about the event
The base of the southwest flanking tower of Rathfarnham Castle was excavated in 2014. On 16th August from 2.30pm to 3.30pm archaeologist Alva Mac Gowan will walk the visitors back in time to reimagine Rathfarnham in the late 17th century for both the wealthy upstairs and the poor downstairs.
Related IAR Collection
The Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin collection covers the period 1911 t0 1995. It consists of letters, plans, maps and photographs that provide details regarding the management of the Castle, the Jesuit community, history of Rathfarnham Castle, the farm, seismograph (earthquake measurement instrument), and retreats.
Exploring Our Foundations – Influenced by Charles Bianconi
Details about the event
Charles Bianconi and his family are buried at the Mortuary Chapel in Boherlahan and will be open to the public 16th, 17th and 23 August from 2pm – 5pm. Local guides will explain the ongoing restoration and preservation work, and point out the features of the Chapel and surrounding Park. A memorial tree will be planted to mark this year’s 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Bianconi. A professionally produced display about Bianconi’s life and times and the construction of the Chapel will be available for visitors and local actors in period attire will stage a dramatic presentation based on the life and times of the Bianconi family. There will also be a public talk about the connection between Charles Bianconi and Daniel O’Connell and the achievement of Catholic Emancipation.
Related IAR Collection
Included in the collection of Murphy Baldwin Correspondence held at the Cork City and County Archives are 11 letters written by Charles Bianconi dated from 1819 to 1853. The Baldwin family were prominent members of the Catholic middle class of south Tipperary in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and were part of the social circle of Charles Bianconi.
YMCA tour of building and collection
Details about the event
On 16th August from 11am to 4pm Cork YMCA at 11 Marlboro Street will open their doors and offer individual guided tours of their building and their heritage collection. This collection includes 20 books from 1886 to the 1980s documenting various YMCA departments, minute books from the 1890s, photographs of students and staff from the 1900s, original building plans, and newspaper clippings dating back to the 1890s.
Related IAR Collection
Included in the Bantry Estate Collection are two letters regarding the YMCA in Ireland (reference number IE/BL/EP/B/E/3). In one letter dated 21 December 1915 from John N. Barran to Arethusa Leigh-White acknowledging her letter Barren discusses the issue of the interdenominational practices within the YMCA. There is a note written at the back of the letter by Leigh-White, on Barran and his position relating to the matter. The second letter from Robert McCann (in General Command of Operations in Ireland for the YMCA), London, to Sir John Barran (Bart. and MP), is dated 13 January 1916. The letter is relating to a request by Arethusa Leigh-White regarding the YMCA.
Tours of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Details about the event
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland are offering free tours of their historic building from 18th to 22nd August at 11am-12pm and 2pm to 3pm. On this tour visitors will visit the beautiful rooms, learn about the history of the college and the people who have studied or visited throughout the centuries, and explore Ireland’s medical history through art, objects, and stories.
Related IAR Collection
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland collection is an extremely broad and extensive collection of material that dates from 1667 to 2010. It consists of 160 boxes of material that has been separated into 15 series with even further division into subseries in each section. It contains the records of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland from its foundation in 1667 to the present. The first four sections cover the governing statutes of the College, the College administration and finances. Three further sections cover the membership of the College. The collection contains a substantial amount of material relating to the Heritage Centre of the College and to the College’s building on Kildare Street. The final five sections of the collection cover specific areas of the College’s activities over time such as the Conjoint Examinations Board and Medical Education and Registration.
The Lasting Influence of Sligo Women on Irish Culture
Details about the event
John Taylor, along with other invited speakers, will be hosting a talk to accompany the exhibition on ‘The Lasting Influence of Sligo Women on Irish Culture’. This event will take place on 20th August from 8pm to 10.30pm at Sligo Folk Park. Some of the women included in this discussion will be Countess Markievicz, Eva Gore-Booth, Noelle Middleton, Leland Bardwell, Lola Montez, Maisie McDaniel, Agnes Pollexfen, and Annie Yeats.
Related IAR Collections
The Lissadell Papers are a collection of the Gore-Booth family, which were baronets from Lissadell, County Sligo that dates from 1628 to 1990. Included in this collection are the papers of Countess Constance Markievicz (née Gore-Booth). These papers consist of letters, mainly to her sister Eva, including those she wrote to Eva while she was imprisoned in various locations in Ireland and England as well as sketch pads and related newspaper cuttings.
The Trish McAdam Collection consists of tapes relating to the “Hoodwinked” television series which was produced for RTÉ in 1996. The series looked at the history of women in Irish society in the twentieth century. The interviews also include in-depth discussions of womens’ issues such as the struggle for power, contraception and reproductive rights, and the divisions within feminism. One of the women interviewed for this programme was Leland Bardwell.
