A most convivial gathering was held at Christ Church, Fermoy on Tuesday of last week (August 4th) to officially launch Heritage Week 2026.
Ian Fleming, Chair of Christ Church Fermoy – Community & Heritage Restoration Project, welcomed warmly and thanked everyone including our public representatives, Heritage Week facilitators, committee and guests. Christ Church looked magnificent in the evening light and all guests were treated to delicious refreshments. Noel McCarthy, TD congratulated Christ Church on hosting such an array of promising events during Heritage Week 2026.
Christ Church plan to host some 24 interesting events from August 15th to 23rd. A large number of talented and passionate facilitators will deliver lectures and workshops, coupled with several external site visits.
As reported last week in The Avondhu, for the duration of Heritage Week the Fermoy town centre building promises to look quite stunning against the backdrop of beautiful flower arrangement being created by three local Flower and Garden Clubs, namely Fermoy, Castlelyons and Conna.
Material Girls, a local patchwork group, will showcase a colourful collection of exquisite local patchwork and Breeda Kiely Morgan will display a selection of her ethereal and unique photographs. These collections in their own right are a very good reason to plan a visit to Christ Church, which will be open daily from 11am, during Heritage Week.
Two creative events for children aged 6 -12 have restricted numbers and participants should book their places early by emailing christchurchfermoy@gmail.com. Renowned muralist Blanca Rice Cabrera will host ‘Drawing our Local Heritage Together’. While Fiona O’Reilly and Lisa Cliffe will host an imaginative children’s workshop, ‘Dreaming About the River Blackwater’.
Gillian Cussen will host an adult workshop ‘FaceTime – A Drawing Session Exploring Ways to Portray the Human Face’ and Heather Smith invites families to come and listen to her interesting talk: ‘The Hay’s Bed – A Place of Secrets’.
PLAN AHEAD
To plan your week, hop on to the Heritage Council / National Heritage Week website; in the drop-down screen ‘2026 Events’ type up ‘Christ Church Fermoy’ and this will bring you to all the local events scheduled.
Specific topics to look our for are lectures on Bats hosted by Claire Kelly in conjunction with Bat Conservation Ireland; The Secret Lives of Owls hosted by Dr. Alan McCarthy, Biodiversity Officer, Cork Co Council and a lecture on the Extraordinary Life of the Most Airborne of Birds, The Common Swift by Noel Linehan.
Local experts Dr Kieran Jordan will share his knowledge of the ‘History of the British Army in Fermoy as told by its Personnel’; Dr Dan Ryan will bring us up to date with the exciting work of ecology and folklore group Cáirde Corrin. Renowned historian and writer Bill Power will give a talk on Census 1926 in Fermoy, while Gerard Crotty will provide unique insights on Ireland’s Heraldic History.
Two talented local groups of musicians will provide a delightful evening of traditional Irish music, The Cross Keys and Yvonne Ní Laocha agus Tríona Ní Shíocháín.
While Fermoy Poetry Group are delighted to host a workshop and readings with guest historian Eddie D’Alton.
LECTURES
Amongst the many lectures, local ecologist and swimmer Owen O’Keefe plans to facilitate a lecture and walk along Barnane, titled: ‘Reflections On The Blackwater: Past Present & Possible Futures For A River in Crisis’. Peadar Collins of crann.ie and The Irish Tree Centre will provide interesting insights on the history of trees in the Blackwater Valley from 1700s to modern times. John Murphy of Bushy Park Farm will share his insights on their vegetable growing cooperative at Kildinan.
Julian Walton in association with The Irish Georgian Society will host a lecture on the History of the Congreve family of Mount Congreve. This will be followed by an afternoon of tradition skills – demonstrations by Colman Howard (lime plastering), Patrick Hornibrook (stone masonry) and Edmund Hawan (basket making).
CLOSING DAY
On the final day of Heritage Week, three interesting events are planned – Tony Fitzgerald of O’Carroll Fitzgerald will deliver compelling arguments on why Christ Church should be restored in his talk ‘How Old Walls Work’. Later in the evening, Andy Kelly of Youghal Film and Photography Museum will share his knowledge on the history of photography. Andy will bring along a selection of film and photographic memorabilia.
The closing lecture will be hosted by talented local photographer, Breeda Kiely Morgan of Frank Morgan Studios, who will address her wonderful photographic work and exhibition, ‘Wanderings’.
Refreshments will be available throughout the week to purchase at peak times, compliments of Hazel Coleman, ‘The Hot Favourite’.
Christ Church, Fermoy – Community & Heritage Restoration Project look forward to welcoming you to as many events as you can fit in your diary.
