Iarratais Oscailte Anois don Chlár Coimeádaithe Oidhreachta Náisiúnta – Taiscéaladh a dhéanamh ar an Oidhreacht ar Lic Do Dhorais
Tá áthas ar Iontaobhas Burrenbeo a fhógairt go bhfuil iarratais oscailte anois don chúigiú babhta de Chlár Coimeádaithe Oidhreachta Náisiúnta. Go dtí seo, tá breis is 200 scoil agus grúpa pobail tar éis páirt a ghlacadh sa tionscnamh saor in aisce seo, a spreagann rannpháirtithe chun oidhreacht uathúil a n-áiteanna áitiúla a aithint, a cheiliúradh agus a chosaint.
I mbliana, tugtar cuireadh do ghrúpaí pobail agus do ranganna sinsearacha bunscoile páirt a ghlacadh sa chlár, a chomhcheanglaíonn ceardlanna ar líne le tacaíocht mhaoinithe do thionscadail oidhreachta áitiúla. Murab ionann agus cláir a scarann oidhreacht thógtha, chultúrtha agus nádúrtha, glacann Coimeádaithe Oidhreachta cur chuige iomlánaíoch—ag leagadh béime ar an gcaoi a bhfuil na heilimintí seo nasctha go domhain i múnlú carachtar ár n-áiteanna.
Anuraidh, chríochnaigh 80 scoil agus pobal tionscadail ó rianta oidhreachta, taifeadtaí staire béil, podchraoltaí, agus leabhráin, go linnte fiadhúlra, plandáil crann, agus laethanta ‘Ceiliúradh Áite’. Chuir an maoiniú ar chumas rannpháirtithe cuairt a thabhairt ar shuíomhanna oidhreachta áitiúla go pearsanta, rud a chuir anam ina gcuid foghlama.
Tá an t-aiseolas thar a bheith dearfach. Dúirt múinteoir amháin: “Tá níos mó ann ná bheith díreach ag caint faoi chabhrú—tá rud éigin á dhéanamh i ndáiríre.” Ina theannta sin, dúirt rannpháirtí pobail: “Más rud é go bhfuilimid ag caint faoin dúlra, faoin gcultúr, nó faoin oidhreacht thógtha, tá sé chomh tábhachtach eolas a chur ar d’áit féin ionas go mbeidh go leor grá agat di chun í a chosaint do na glúnta atá le teacht.”
Tá cúig cheardlann idirghníomhacha dhá uair an chloig san áireamh sa chlár, agus treoir leanúnach ina dhiaidh sin agus grúpaí ag déanamh a ngníomhartha oidhreachta maoinithe. Is féidir le rannpháirtithe tosú san fhómhar nó sa Bhliain Nua.
Beidh seisiún faisnéise ar líne ar siúl Dé Máirt, 16 Meán Fómhair ag 7:30 i.n. Le haghaidh tuilleadh sonraí agus chun iarratas a dhéanamh (spriocdháta: 30 Meán Fómhair), tabhair cuairt ar www.heritagekeepers.ie
Tá maoiniú páirteach á dhéanamh ag The Sunflower Charitable Foundation trí Community Foundation Ireland agus ag an Roinn Oideachais tríd an gciste ESD go 2030 (Oideachas don Fhorbairt Inbhuanaithe).
Applications Now Open for the National Heritage Keepers Programme – Explore the Heritage on Your Doorstep
Burrenbeo Trust is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the fifth round of the National Heritage Keepers Programme. To date, more than 200 schools and community groups have taken part in this free initiative, which inspires participants to discover, celebrate, and protect the unique heritage of their local places.
This year, community groups and senior primary school classes are invited to join the programme, which combines online workshops with funding support for local heritage projects. Unlike programmes that separate built, cultural, and natural heritage, Heritage Keepers takes a holistic approach—emphasising how these elements are deeply connected in shaping the character of our places.
Last year, 80 schools and communities completed projects ranging from heritage trails, oral history recordings, podcasts, and booklets, to wildlife ponds, tree planting, and ‘Place Celebration’ days. Funding also enabled participants to visit local heritage sites in person, bringing their learning to life.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One teacher remarked: “It’s more than just talking about helping—it’s actually doing something.” A community participant added: “Whether we’re talking about nature, culture, or built heritage, it’s so important to get to know your place so that you love it enough to protect it for future generations.”
The programme includes five interactive two-hour workshops, followed by ongoing guidance as groups carry out their funded heritage actions. Participants can begin in autumn or in the New Year.
An online information session will take place on Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30pm. For more details and to apply (deadline: September 30th), visit www.heritagekeepers.ie.
Heritage Keepers is partially funded by The Sunflower Charitable Foundation through Community Foundation Ireland and by the Department of Education through the ESD to 2030 fund.
