Why are Irish people so slow to visit their own archaeological treasures? Ms Evelyn Coleman is the Duchas site supervisor for national monuments in the south-west region, such as Charlesfort and Desmond Castle, in Kinsale, as well as Barryscourt Castle in Carrigtwohill. She believes it's a matter of perception.
People, she claims, view their local monuments as sites to be visited by relatives or those passing through. Duchas administers more than 65 visitor centres throughout the State, which attract 2.5 million people annually. Part of its remit is to bring people closer to their cultural heritage and foster a better understanding of the historical legacy in every county.
From September 3rd to 10th, Duchas will run National Heritage Week. It aims to highlight places of interest that are often ignored and create a greater awareness in local communities.
As an added incentive, from last Saturday the three Cork sites were opened free to the public. The scheme will continue every Saturday from now with the exception of Barryscourt.
Built in the late 15th or early 16th century, Desmond Castle, or the French Prison as it is sometimes known, was restored by the Office of Public Works and is a fine example of an urban tower house. The Kinsale International Wine Museum is housed there, recounting the rich history of Kinsale's connection with the wine trade. Charles Fort is one of the outstanding relics of British 17th-century fortification in Ireland, and Barryscourt Castle, once the seat of one of Ireland's principal Norman families, remains today largely as it was left in 1581.
"This is a bid to bring local people closer to their cultural heritage," said Ms Coleman, "to enable them to feel proud of their monuments and not alienated from them, to ensure that they learn from them and, above all, enjoy them."