National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday 13th August - Sunday 21st August 2022.
This year the central themes are Biodiversity and Sustainability. At the Old Head Signal Tower we have put together a schedule of events that celebrate our unique and beautiful location, rich biodiversity and fascinating heritage. For full details see below:
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th -
Old Head Coastguard Carriage on display at the Signal Tower
During the first weekend of Heritage Week 2022, the Old Head Coastguard Carriage will be on display at the Old Head Signal Tower. This Carriage was used by the Coastguard Service in the early 20th century and has been restored by a member of the Museum Committee. The goal is to have this Carriage, which would have been drawn by two horses and later a tractor, on display in the larger museum planned for the Old Head of Kinsale.
In the meantime make the most of this unique opportunity to see the Old Head Coastguard Carriage in person.
Sunday 14th -
Irish Traditional Music at the Signal Tower with Ballinspittle Comhaltas:
Join us for an afternoon of craic agus ceol with our local and extremely talented musicians of Ballinspittle Comhaltas at the Old Head Signal Tower on Sunday 14th August from 2:30pm.
Old Head Coastguard Carriage on display at the Signal Tower
During the first weekend of Heritage Week 2022, the Old Head Coastguard Carriage will be on display at the Old Head Signal Tower. This Carriage was used by the Coastguard Service in the early 20th century and has been restored by a member of the Museum Committee. The goal is to have this Carriage, which would have been drawn by two horses and later a tractor, on display in the larger museum planned for the Old Head of Kinsale.
In the meantime make the most of this unique opportunity to see the Old Head Coastguard Carriage in person.
Sunday 14th -
Irish Traditional Music at the Signal Tower with Ballinspittle Comhaltas:
Join us for an afternoon of craic agus ceol with our local and extremely talented musicians of Ballinspittle Comhaltas at the Old Head Signal Tower on Sunday 14th August from 2:30pm.
Monday 15th -
Military Reinforcement of the Irish Coast in the Age of Revolution:
Join one of the Directors of the Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower as he explores the military reinforcement of the Irish coastline during the Napoleonic Wars.
Tuesday 16th -
Lighthouses on the South West Coast of Ireland:
A third generation Lighthouse Keeper on both sides. Gerard Butler joined the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 1969. He spent most of his career as an assistant Keeper on Bull Rock, Fastnet Rock, the Old Head of Kinsale and Mizen Head Lighthouses. During his 21 years of service he also served on Dun Laoighre East Pier, Roche's Point, Power Head, Wicklow Head, Tuskar Rock, Hook Poiny, Ballycotton Island, Skellig Michael, Inishtearaght, Eeragh, Eagle Island, Blackrock Mayo, Arrabmore, Fanad Head, Rockabill, Roancarrig and The Bailey Lighthouses.
He is now the Attendant Keeper ay Galley Head Lighthouse. Gerard is also the author of 'The Lightkeeper: A Memoir'.
Friday 19th -
Exploring the Biodiversity of the Old Head of Kinsale with Dr Kate Mahony of Cork Nature Network:
Dr Kate Mahony is a local West Cork ecologist with a passion for Irish Biodiversity. Kate has expertise in marine intertidal biology. She loves to share her love of Irish nature, both on land and sea.
Saturday 20th -
Bandon Concert Band at the Old Head Signal Tower:
Enjoy an afternoon of music at the Old Head Signal Tower with Bandon Concert Band from 3pm-4pm.
Sunday 21st -
Variety, Seasonality and Distribution of Saltwater Fish Species on the South and South West Coast and Changes over the last 40 years:
Join us on Water Heritage Day - Sunday 21st August at 7pm for a talk by Local Historian Jerome Lordan. The talk will be an overview of species found in our waters, their distribution, seasonal movements and other interesting facts and figures as well as changes that have occurred over the last forty years. This may be particularly interesting for those interested in fishing and climate.
Jerome Lordan's family has lived at the Old Head of Kinsale for generations. He worked as a commercial fisherman in New Zealand, Australia, Cornwall and all around Ireland during a 28-year career. He has been the owner of Kinsale Harbour Cruises since 2003. After studying Heritage Management at Colaiste Stiofan Naofa, Cork, Jerome completed a B.A. in Archaeology and Celtic Civilisation at UCC. He was awarded an MA in Local History in 2012, with his thesis focusing on placenames of the Old Head.
In 2015 Jerome produced a local history publication named 'No Flowers on a Sailor's Grave: Shipwrecks of Kinsale and Courtmacsherry', which is a bestseller in the Old Head Signal Tower Giftshop. Jerome's work is inspired by his deep love of place and his knowledge of local topography, folklore and maritime heritage.
The talk will be an overview of species found in our waters their distribution, seasonal movements and other interesting facts and figures as well as changes that have occurred over the last forty years.
Military Reinforcement of the Irish Coast in the Age of Revolution:
Join one of the Directors of the Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower as he explores the military reinforcement of the Irish coastline during the Napoleonic Wars.
Tuesday 16th -
Lighthouses on the South West Coast of Ireland:
A third generation Lighthouse Keeper on both sides. Gerard Butler joined the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 1969. He spent most of his career as an assistant Keeper on Bull Rock, Fastnet Rock, the Old Head of Kinsale and Mizen Head Lighthouses. During his 21 years of service he also served on Dun Laoighre East Pier, Roche's Point, Power Head, Wicklow Head, Tuskar Rock, Hook Poiny, Ballycotton Island, Skellig Michael, Inishtearaght, Eeragh, Eagle Island, Blackrock Mayo, Arrabmore, Fanad Head, Rockabill, Roancarrig and The Bailey Lighthouses.
He is now the Attendant Keeper ay Galley Head Lighthouse. Gerard is also the author of 'The Lightkeeper: A Memoir'.
Friday 19th -
Exploring the Biodiversity of the Old Head of Kinsale with Dr Kate Mahony of Cork Nature Network:
Dr Kate Mahony is a local West Cork ecologist with a passion for Irish Biodiversity. Kate has expertise in marine intertidal biology. She loves to share her love of Irish nature, both on land and sea.
Saturday 20th -
Bandon Concert Band at the Old Head Signal Tower:
Enjoy an afternoon of music at the Old Head Signal Tower with Bandon Concert Band from 3pm-4pm.
Sunday 21st -
Variety, Seasonality and Distribution of Saltwater Fish Species on the South and South West Coast and Changes over the last 40 years:
Join us on Water Heritage Day - Sunday 21st August at 7pm for a talk by Local Historian Jerome Lordan. The talk will be an overview of species found in our waters, their distribution, seasonal movements and other interesting facts and figures as well as changes that have occurred over the last forty years. This may be particularly interesting for those interested in fishing and climate.
Jerome Lordan's family has lived at the Old Head of Kinsale for generations. He worked as a commercial fisherman in New Zealand, Australia, Cornwall and all around Ireland during a 28-year career. He has been the owner of Kinsale Harbour Cruises since 2003. After studying Heritage Management at Colaiste Stiofan Naofa, Cork, Jerome completed a B.A. in Archaeology and Celtic Civilisation at UCC. He was awarded an MA in Local History in 2012, with his thesis focusing on placenames of the Old Head.
In 2015 Jerome produced a local history publication named 'No Flowers on a Sailor's Grave: Shipwrecks of Kinsale and Courtmacsherry', which is a bestseller in the Old Head Signal Tower Giftshop. Jerome's work is inspired by his deep love of place and his knowledge of local topography, folklore and maritime heritage.
The talk will be an overview of species found in our waters their distribution, seasonal movements and other interesting facts and figures as well as changes that have occurred over the last forty years.
