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Rostrevor will host its first ever Heritage Week from 5 to 13 September, with walks, talks and workshops celebrating the village's history. The programme has been developed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Heritage Officers alongside community, cultural and historical groups in the village.
The initiative follows recent work exploring the significance of Rostrevor's Conservation Area, during which residents called for more opportunities to connect with and enjoy their local heritage. All events are free and open to all ages and interests.
The week opens on Saturday 5 September with an Architectural Walking Trail around the Conservation Area at 10:30am, led by Tom Gilsenan. At 12pm the same day, Rostrevor Community Book Corner joins the Maps and Memories project for a discussion of Maggie O'Farrell's Land, followed by mapmaking, photography and oral history workshops.
On Sunday 6 September, families can take part in a History Detectives Trail in Kilbroney Park, uncovering the hidden heritage of the landscape. Monday 7 September brings an urban sketching session led by artist and architect Marcus Patton, while Rostrevor Historical Society hosts a series of evening talks from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 10 September, covering the village's streets and shops, its notable personalities and the hidden secrets of its built and natural heritage. On Wednesday 9 September, the Rostrevor Inn will host an evening of music and fireside storytelling.
Guided walks continue through the second half of the week, including the Cloch Mór Lore walk on Friday 11 September, St Bronagh's Camino on Saturday 12 September and the Rostrevor Tree Trail on Sunday 13 September.
Saturday 12 September also sees architect Alina Holyst present Heritage in Action: Revitalising Our Village, looking at regeneration and restoration projects transforming Rostrevor, followed by Past Lives, Present Voices: Rostrevor's Stories, where Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí will launch its PEACEPLUS funded Oral History Project. The week closes on Sunday 13 September with a bilingual Irish and English talk on the medieval place names of County Down.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, said the initiative celebrates the importance of local heritage. "Groups in Rostrevor have joined together to organise a fascinating and extremely comprehensive programme of events exploring our local history," Cllr Hanna said.
"There is something for all ages and interests here from talks and walks to music, family fun and workshops. This is a great example of groups working together to celebrate the built, cultural and natural heritage of their area and communicate it to others. I am delighted that this event is happening in the lead up to and over European Heritage Open Days and commend groups in the village for their enthusiasm in promoting our local history."
