Horizons

A Heritage & Habitat roundup

Going medieval

As historic castles, churches, forts and houses open their doors to visitors during Heritage Week next week, the organizers of the Medieval Festival in Carlingford, Co Louth, have gone one step further and invited volunteers to live in a 16th-century castle for the week.

Visitors can see how they are managing and check out the medieval fair in the grounds of Taaffe’s Castle (right) from 10am-6pm from August 21st-29th.

Other events include an archery demonstration and competition (the Dominican Friary, Dundalk St), music, jugglers and fire eaters. Contact 042-9373454.

In Glenveagh Park

The magnificent Glenveagh National Park in Churchill, Co Donegal, is open for free entry over the next two weekends, with storytelling, traditional music and dancing. There is also a garden discovery day for families, August 24th from 2pm-5pm; an illustrated talk and ramble on August 27th at 3pm; and a browse through botanical books in the glasshouses on August 29th at 11am. Connemara National Park in Co Galway, the new National Park at Ballycroy, in Co Mayo, and the Wicklow Mountains National Park also host special events during heritage week. npws.ie

Wild Child and Boyne 

Next Saturday has been designated Wild Child Day, to offer the under-12s fun ways to explore their heritage. They can play forgotten games such as Red Rover, Chinese Kuncks, German Jumps, at the Copper Coast Geopark, Knockmahon, Bonmahon, Co Waterford, from 11am to 4pm next Saturday.

Meanwhile, at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre in Oldbridge, Drogheda, children can join in free traditional garden games such as croquet, quoits and skittles on August 22nd and 29th, from noon to 4pm.

See heritageweek.ie for full line-up.

Ecoweb

www.irishtrails.ie

Is a new website from the National Trails office of the Irish Sports Council, which allows users to search for information on way-marked walking, cycling and other trails in Ireland