Delgany Tidy Towns announced that it will be hosting a number of events during National Heritage Week 2020, which takes place nationwide from 15th to 23rd of August.
Water Heritage Day is Sunday 23th August and is a collaboration between The Heritage Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme to celebrate water and our connections with it.
Delgany Tidy Towns (DTT) are holding two water specific events as part of their ‘River Watch’ programme. The first event is an online talk titled ‘Starting to Protect our Three Trouts Stream Biosphere’ and takes place on Wednesday 19th August at 7pm. DTT and partners will be sharing a summary of their early attempts to reconnect with their ancient lifeline, the Three Trouts’ Stream. The talk will also touch on how to protect the Biodiversity of the habitat for the Community.
Alan Lauder, Ecologist, will present a study of the Biodiversity. Keith Scanlon, DTT Volunteer and Citizen Scientist will share recent experience piloting Water Quality Monitoring. Donal O’Keeffe, Community Water Officer, Local Authorities Water Program (LAWPro) will present ideas from other community groups working on Reconnecting Rivers and Communities. Delgany Tidy Towns will welcome insights and ideas to continue the conversation and grow the Three Trouts Biosphere team.
People can sign up for this free event by registering on eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/riverwatch-starting-to-protect-our-three-trouts-stream-biosphere-tickets-116781403321 or via the Delgany Tidy Towns facebook page.
The second ‘River Watch’ event takes place on Sunday 23rd August, at 3pm in Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve. Following on from the webinar, Delgany Tidy Towns and LAWPro will demonstrate the Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring on the Three Trouts Stream. They will answer any questions and welcome onboard all new Citizen Science Volunteers. Register online here https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/116876106581 or on the Delgany Tidy Towns facebook page.
Delgany’s heritage week events traditionally included guided tours of the Old Burial Ground. Located in the village centre and dating back to the 9th Century the burial ground is home to many interesting stories, including an early high granite monumental cross, moved burial stones, and a Cromwellian soldier. Due to Covid-19 related restrictions guided tours will not be offered this year. Instead DTT are inviting people to view a video tour of the Old Burial Ground Tours given by the Old Burial Ground’s custodian, Lailli De Buitlear.
The video is of Lailli DeBuitlear recounting the history of the Old Burial Ground by local filmmaker Robin Kavanagh. Lailli has been curator of the Burial Ground for many years and she is largely responsible for the lovely green space that exists there now. In the video she delivers a detailed history on all aspects of the Burial Ground while delivering some fascinating insights into local history. The video can be viewed at www.heritageweek.ie and at www.delganyheritagevillage.wicklowheritage.org
Speaking about the events, Zoe Woodward of Delgany Tidy Towns said: “We are very excited to increase people’s awareness of Delgany’s Three Trouts’ Stream and to share ways of learning from, and protecting it’s wildlife and bioshphere. The annual Heritage Week programme is a great opportunity to learn more about your local heritage and make new connections with people and stories. We are delighted that we can share the fascinating history of the Old Burial Ground online and that it’s history has now being recorded for generations to come”.
