Cavan event shortlisted for top award

Ceremony takes place in Gloster House, Offaly, on Friday.

A Cavan event has been shortlisted for a top award at the upcoming National Heritage Week ceremony.

The Heritage Council today announced its shortlisted candidates for the top awards at the annual National Heritage Week awards ceremony which takes place in Gloster House, Offaly, on Friday, October 20.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), who organised an event in Drumollard, near Ballyjamesduff, are among those hoping to take home an award.

SPAB has been nominated for the Sustainability and Climate Award which recognises events that have made efforts to incorporates environmentally friendly practices to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the natural world or educate on the impact of climate change and good sustainability practice.

Their event, entitled SPAB Ireland Working Party, took place at Rothaí Mill in Cavan – home to a group of structures consisting of a mill, millers’ cottage, and kilns.

The mill is over 200 years old, and has two water wheels - one for shelling and one for grinding, each powered by a different water source- which is a completely unique feature in all of Ireland. It was thatched until 1959 and stopped operating over 50 years ago in 1969.

The working party provided a unique opportunity for building professionals, craftspeople, general builders, students, homeowners, and experienced enthusiasts alike to learn more about traditional conservation building skills through hands-on experience.

The National Heritage Awards recognises the enormous contribution of individuals and community groups across Ireland in ensuring the preservation, protection, and promotion of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage.

The awards honour those organisers who created the most engaging and inspiring events and projects for National Heritage Week 2023 as well as Ireland’s Heritage Hero. Almost 2,000 events and projects took place around the country in August during National Heritage Week, as communities and individuals answered the Heritage Council’s invitation to explore this year’s theme of living heritage.

A full list of award categories and shortlisted candidates is available below:

https://www.heritageweek.ie/about/national-heritage-week-awards-nominees

The ceremony will be livestreamed from the website on Friday from 3.45pm:

www.heritageweek.ie/awards