Athlone Castle Visitor Centre is ready to celebrate all things ‘Pastimes Past Times’ for Heritage Week 2019.
National Heritage Week runs from August 17 to 25, and accordingly, the team at Athlone Castle has programmed numerous exciting events throughout the week, to suit all ages.
Among this year’s highlights, Athlone Castle will host a talk by celebrated Athlone native; journalist and author, Declan Lynch. With sport being so central to Ireland’s pastimes, Lynch will lead a talk on the famed Athlone Town V AC Milan soccer match of 1975, exploring the enduring myth and fascination surrounding the match.
The talk will offer a more personal history to the game, as Lynch will share his own memories of following the team with his father, Frank Lynch, while calling back to the day of the match itself. This event will take place in the upper keep of Athlone Castle at 7pm on Sunday August 18. Pre-booking is essential, as places will be limited.
There are also plenty of events that turn their focus to the castle itself, with Athlone Castle heritage volunteer Henry Brady due to return with his ever popular ‘Walk the Walls’ tour; a guided exploration of the castle’s historical external defence features on Sunday 18 at 2pm. Guided tours have been scheduled throughout the week, led by the castle’s team of tour guides, who will share their own favourite past times and pastimes of Athlone’s history on display in the visitor centre. The annual Storm the Castle will take place on Wednesday August 22 with free admission to all from 10am to 5pm. Then on Saturday August 24, the castle will host a traditional games day where people are invited to have fun exploring childhood entertainment and try their hand at some traditional games and activities.
For younger visitors, there will be drop-in children’s workshops on Sunday August 25, with three exciting activities. Dig it with David, the archaeology dig will kick off at 1pm, followed by Kaleidoscope of Fun, the making of optical toys at 3pm. After that will be A Sticth in Time, an introduction to crocheting at 4pm. The week’s events will draw to a close with a recital of Heritage Week inspired poetry by members of Athlone’s award winning Poetry in the Park from 2pm to 4pm.
Pre-booking is advised for these events, as places will be limited. A full schedule of events with further details, times, and booking information is available to view on Athlone Castle’s website: www.athlonecastle.ie
Queries and requests for further information should be addressed to Athlone Castle by calling 090 6442130 or emailing [email protected].
