As part of National Heritage Week 2013 (17th to 25th August), Laharn Community Action Group is hosting two special open air crossroads dancing events on Sunday 18th August & Sunday 25th August 2013 in the scenic North Cork venue, Laharn Cross.
Located just of the Mallow/Killarney road at Lombardstown, Laharn Cross is the location where people gather each and every Sunday night throughout the summer months from 8 – 10pm. Large crowds step it out on the raised timber platform and dance the night away to live music provided by well know musicians such as Declan Aungier & Brian McDermott.
The message from the Heritage Council for National Heritage Week this year is to ‘Discover the Past and Build the Future!’ National Heritage Week really has something for everybody and most events are child and family friendly. Over 1700 events nationwide, ranging from guided nature and archaeological walks, lectures, tours of historical buildings, food fairs, music, dance, storey telling, historic gardens, historical re-enactments, wildlife excursions, whale watching and more, will take place throughout Ireland during the week.
Many events including the open air crossroads dancing are FREE and National Heritage sites will also offer concession rates during Heritage Week.
For a full event listing see www.heritageweek.ie, download the free smartphone app or pick up a copy of the National Event Guide, now available at your local library or tourist office. National Heritage Week is coordinated by the Heritage Council, the agency tasked with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland’s national heritage.
Speaking in advance of Heritage Week, Michael Starrett, CEO of the Heritage Council said, “In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the understanding and awareness among the general public of the importance and impact heritage can have, both economically and socially. Heritage is not about nostalgia, or some misplaced aim to live in the past, but an opportunity to engage with our own story and in particular the natural and cultural heritage of where we live. The theme of Heritage Week 2013, ‘Discover the Past. Build the Future’ reflects this thinking”.
John Paul O’ Shea, Chairman of Laharn Community Action Group said ” Waltzes, quicksteps, foxtrots, not to mention polkas, shoe the donkey and the Siege of Ennis, will be the order of the evening on Sunday next 18th and also on Sun 25th August where we expect hundreds of enthusiastic dancers who gather for two hours to dance the night at this historic crossroads, just like our ancestors did. Laharn Cross has a proud tradition of dancing at the crossroads here at Laharn Cross and it is marvelous to see both young and old taking part. Everyone is invited; the fun is free, though people can contribute a few euros in the donation boxes which go towards the cost of the live bands added Mr. O’ Shea”.
National Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union. In Ireland, Heritage Week is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government with support from the Office of Public Works and Fáilte Ireland.
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For further information about dancing at the crossroads at Laharn Cross, please contact John Paul O’ Shea on 086 8903154 or e-mail John Paul at oshea_jp@hotmail.com