THE KENNEDY Park and Arboretum will host a number of different events over the coming days to coincide with National Heritage Week.

On Saturday, August 18, a music workshop will take place for children aged 6 to 12. The tutor will be Michael MacCoillte. The event will get underway at 11 a.m. and will last for one hour.

The following day a guided walk will be held in the arboretum at 3 p.m. That will be followed at 6.30 p.m. with the official launch, by Bill Hurley, of the park’s Nature Sanctuary. Speakers at the launch will include John Lusby (Birdwatch Ireland), Niamh Lennon (Biodiversity Officer with Wexford Co. Council) and Kenneth Foley, from the arboretum.

On Monday, August 20, a series of archaeological research events will take place beginning at 12.30 p.m. from the arboretum. The research will be carried out at Kilmokea, Whitechurch and Kelly’s Rock. There will also be walk and talk on the summit of Sliabh Coillte.

On Wednesday, August 22, an Open Forum talk will be held in the arboretum at 7.30 p.m. Speakers will include Sean O’Duinn O.S.B. (Glenstal Abbey), and Anthony Murphy (author of ‘Island of the Setting Sun’).

The forum will also provide local people with the opportunity to ask questions in relation to the findings of the research and in relation to the ancient history of the surrounding areas.

On Saturday, August 25, there will be a symposium, however, the venue was not confirmed as the New Ross Echo went to press.

On Tuesday, August 21, and Friday, August 24, a ‘bat walk and talk’ event will take place under the guidance of Kenneth Foley and John Flynn.

A workshop for children aged 6 to 12, under the title ‘Nature’s Little Creatures’ will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 25. The workshop will be presented by Anne Heffernan. A hurling skills workshop will also be held the same day from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the guidance of Martin Lynch.

The final event on that Saturday will occur at 2.30 p.m. when author, Ronnie Plant, will give a talk titled ‘Our Health is Our Heritage’.

On Sunday, August 26, an ‘Orienteering For All’ event will be held at 10.30 a.m. For more information contact Andrew Cox on 087-2229677. A craft fair will also be held at 11 a.m. and a ‘Family Nature Walk’ will take place from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

The programme of events will culminate that afternoon at 3 p.m. with ‘An Afternoon of Traditional Song and Dance’ with Bernadette Sinnott.