2010 Summer of Heritage Festival

FREE Tours and Living History Performances at Cabinteely and Marlay Houses! Tours of the Oratory, Metals and Seafront Memorials in Dún Laoghaire and the Obelisk on Killiney Hill will all again be taking place this summer as part of the 2010 Summer of Heritage Festival.

The Summer of Heritage is an annual fesitval which is run by the Heritage Office of Dún Laoghaire -Rathdown County Council, whereby the Council open up and facilitate access to the county's top heritage sites during the summer all at no cost to the public.

Come along the Summer of Heritage has something for everyone!

The Summer of Heritage is back!

Last year thousands of people visited various heritage sites across the county and this year promises to be even better with an ever expanding programme featuring a range of events for adults and children alike, all of which are free to attend.

This summers schedule will again include tours and living history performances at the two magnificent stately homes, Cabinteely House and Marlay House. There is also a new script in place at both houses, featuring many characters from past histories.

Tours of the stunning Celtic Oratory on Library Road and the Obelisk on Killiney Hill also make a welcome return to this years line up, while two new excursions have been added to the festival; The Dn Laoghaire Memorials Tour, which is a coastal visit to the numerous memorials around the town, including the Queen Victoria Fountain and the Crimean War Cannon.

A sightsee along The Metals, a historic pathway that linked the quarry in Dalkey to the harbour in Dn Laoghaire is also new to the programme.

Nature lovers will not want to miss the viewing of sea birds at Coliemore Harbour in Dalkey with members of Birdwatch Ireland, as well as the nature walks around Dillons Park in Dalkey, Three Rock Mountain and a bat walk along the River Dodder.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!

For more information call 01 2998032 or email summerofheritage@dlrcoco.ie

CABINTEELY HOUSE TOUR

Tours every Tuesday and Sunday
June 29th – September 5th: Hourly from 2pm – 5pm (4 daily tours)

Guided tour of Cabinteely House with a few surprises along the way. Who knows which characters from the houses history might turn up, or what secrets may be divulged? All is not what it seems in Cabinteely House this summer.

New living history script in place at Cabinteely House this summer!

Tour duration: 60 minutes. Wheelchair accessible, max capacity 30.

Meet at the front of Cabinteely House, Cabinteely Park, Cabinteely, Co. Dublin.

THE ORATORY TOUR

Tours every Monday and Saturday
June 28th – Sept 4th, Hourly from 2pm – 5pm (4 daily tours)

The Oratory in Dún Laoghaire is a hidden gem of Celtic revival art. This tiny building is home to some of the most spectacular artwork from the early part of 20th century Ireland, all produced by Sister Concepta Lynch. This tour is not to be missed!

Tour duration: 40 minutes

Wheelchair accessible.
Max capacity strictly 15 people
The Oratory, Library Road Entrance, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

The Oratory is located behind Bloomfields Shopping Centre in Dún Laoghaire. The Entrance is beside the Children's playground on Library Road.


MARLAY HOUSE TOUR

Tours every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday mornings.
June 30th – September 4th

Marlay House was the seat of the first governor of the Bank of Ireland. Hear the story of David La Touche, one of the truly colourful figures of Irish social history. All this presented in a new highly entertaining show!

New living history script in place at Marlay House this summer!

Wednesday hourly from 2pm – 5pm
Saturdays hourly from 10am – 1pm
(4 daily tours on the hour)

Tour duration: 60 minutes. Wheelchair accessible, max capacity 30.

Meet at the front of Marlay House, Marlay Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin


THE OBELISK TOUR

July 4th - September 5th : Sunday Afternoons from 2pm - 5pm (4 daily tours)

A guided visit to the Obelisk located at the top of Killiney Hill. Learn about the park origins of how the Obelisk was built as a famine relief project in 1742 and go inside for some of the most picturesque and stunning views around the county and of Dublin bay.

Tour duration: 40 minutes.

The Obelisk is NOT wheelchair accessible. However, the majority of the visit takes place outside of The Obelisk. Please note that the tour is a steep ascent of Killiney Hill and therefore is not recommended for the faint hearted! Max capacity 30.

Meet at the Tea Rooms, main Killiney Hill Road Entrance, Killiney Hill Park, Killiney, Co Dublin.


THE METALS TOUR

Thursday afternoons, July 1st – September 2nd at 2pm (1 tour per day)

The Metals is the historic pathway that linked the quarry in Dalkey to the harbour works in Dún Laoghaire. Join historian Rob Goodbody, author of a recent book on the history of the Metals, as he brings you back in time to the
construction of the harbour and the birth of the town of Dún Laoghaire. The tour will take place between Dún Laoghaire and Glasthule. This is an outdoor
event.

Meet at the Queen Victoria Fountain.

Tour duration approximately 90 minutes.


DÚN LAOGHAIRE MEMORIALS TOUR

Saturday mornings, July 3rd – September 4th at 12.00 ( 1 tour per day)

Enjoy a tour of the coastal memorials in Dún Laoghaire including the Queen Victoria Fountain, George IV Memorial, the anchor of the Leinster, Christ the King, the Crimean War Cannon and the 1895 Lifeboat Disaster.

Tour will last for approx 60 mins. This is an outdoor event.

Meet at the Queen Victoria Fountain.