National Heritage Week continues across Co Kildare. Lots of exhibitions, tours, crafts, falconry and nature walks to enjoy

From 18 August last, a series of events have been hosted in conjunction with National Heritage Week and Kildare County Council.

Events continue up to and including Sunday, August 26 with most events being free of charge. From events hosted in libraries to history exhibitions, craft markets, wildlife, falconry display, find out more about bats, musical entertainment, tours of Kildare’s most notable landmarks and so much more including biodiversity and nature walks, etc, log onto https://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/events?where=&when=&type=&order=&q=Co+Kildare+ and see the huge number and varied events running this week.

So many places to see, so many topics and themes covered. Here is just a pick of the choice you have across the county this week.

The Country House and the Great War Russell Library, Maynooth University. The Country House and the Great War Exhibition will explore the impact of the First World War on the Irish Country House, the surrounding estate and its inhabitants. 23 August, 10am - 1pm and from 2pm - 4:30pm. Admission free; booking essential: library.bookings@mu.ie; access and parking, not suitable for children U12. — The Country House and the Great War Russell Library, Maynooth University. The Country House and the Great War Exhibition will explore the impact of the First World War on the Irish Country House, the surrounding estate and its inhabitants. 23 August, 10am - 1pm and from 2pm - 4:30pm. Admission free; booking essential: [email protected]; access and parking, not suitable for children U12.

Wildlife in Co Kildare Rathangan Community Centre will host this from 8-9.30pm on August 23. Wild Kildare and Rathangan Tidy Towns will give a talk about the wildlife of Co Kildare, with various habitats and what species live here. Admission free; suitable for children U12; wheelchair access (Full); car parking available. Contact 087 687 2939; email [email protected]

Walk in the footsteps of St Corban, Naas A walk and talk hosted by Naas History Group, tracking the footsteps of the patron saint of Naas, St Corban. Admission free; not suitable for children U12; wheelchair access (full); car parking available

Ballymore and the Spanish Flu Here's a really interesting exhibition being hosted next weekend, on Saturday 25 at the Resource Centre, Ballymore Eustace (hall next to parish church.

Organised by Ballymore History Society, it's an information and photographic collection on the Spanish Flu which occurred circa 100 years ago...... and claimed more casualties than World War 1! Incredibly, Margaret Pearse, secretary of Ballymore History Society stated she lost three of her Treacey uncles, aged from 4-17 years. The exhibition runs from 3-7pm, well worth a visit. Admission is free, all welcome.

Falconry Display, Celbridge Newgrange Falconry will be displaying birds of prey in the church grounds on Sunday next, from 2-5pm. Hosted at Christchurch, inside Castletown house gates, there will be an audio history of Celbridge, along with tours of the church.

As part of a mini festival the following events will occur in the church grounds at the same time: Green Woodwork Ireland, traditional woodland crafts through demonstrations and workshops of non powered traditional woodcraft skills by Stephen Ryan; Straw Craft Ireland Exhibits include straw boy’s masks, cradles and corn dollies, woven in an ancient method of straw plaiting unique to Ireland. Ltd car parking will be available in the lower yard (adjacent to slip).

Admission is free; suitable for children under 12; full wheelchair access, contact 087 782 1050 or [email protected] Booking advisable.

Derrybeg Community Supported Farm On Saturday, 25 August, from 12pm - 1:15pm, you can visit Derrybeg Community Supported Farm. Located at Mooretown, Celbridge, (opp Salesian College and beside the Community College on Maynooth Road, see the community supported farm in action. Founded in 2012, the farm provides seasonal food for the Celbridge, Leixlip and Maynooth areas.

All welcome, suitable for children. Please wear boots or wellingtons especially if the weather has been wet. We are on the 67 bus route (get off at stop for Salesian College). Labhartar Gaeilge freisin. Admission Free, wheelchair access (Partial); car parking available. Phone 087-2863 095 or email [email protected]

Logo onto www.heritageweek.ie and insert Co Kildare and see what a superb range of events are ongoing, up to and including Sunday, 26 August.