See photos from the first weekend of National Heritage Week in Wicklow

National Heritage Week got off to a lively start across the Garden County with communities coming together in earnest over the weekend to celebrate Wicklow's rich natural, built and cultural heritage. Some 85 events were rolled out on Saturday, August 15, with the opening weekend seeing residents flock to Delgany for its Village Heritage Day, while in Blessington, the 'Blessington and District Through the Ages' exhibition proved another major draw, showcasing a remarkable collection of photographs capturing the people, places and stories that have shaped the area over generations. 1 / 16 Catherine and Fergal Malone with kids Mary-Kate and Matthew at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 2 / 16 Kingsley Ho with dog Timmy, and Nick Fay with dog Ruby at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 3 / 16 Zora Hurley with parents Eoin and Dalija, and granddad Charlie at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 4 / 16 Bianca and Sabrina Taglienti at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 5 / 16 Catherine and Sheena Gogarty with dogs Brody and Holly at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 6 / 16 Aaron, Daniela and Adam Jackson with Rosie, Poppy and Leanne McCauley at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 7 / 16 Members of the band Tern, ready to perform in Delgany: Tadhg Reynolds, Lucas O'Sullivan, James O'Farrell and James Ward. © Leigh Anderson 8 / 16 Tern performing on the pedestrianised main street during the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 9 / 16 Jacinta, Michael and Caoimhe Kavanagh, with dog Maisie at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 10 / 16 Síobhán Kemp, Patti Shields and Elma Madden at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 11 / 16 Robbie Doyle playing at The Horse & Hound during the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 12 / 16 Jules and Joni McDonagh, with Annie and Alice Leonard, and Dolly and Charlie Dexter at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 13 / 16 Gillian and Eoin Conway with kids Haley, Hannah and Maisie at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 14 / 16 Cliona, Morgan and Kevin McLoughlin at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 15 / 16 Main Street during the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson 16 / 16 Rachel and Matthew Murray with kids Hannah, Ben and Ava at the Delgany Village Heritage Day for National Heritage Week. © Leigh Anderson This year's theme, 'Heritage at Risk', encourages people to think about the places, traditions, skills and landscapes that could be lost if they are not protected, and there is still a packed programme of events to enjoy – indoors and out – over the coming days. In Bray on Thursday, August 20, Bray Tidy Towns will host 'Circular Economy: Art from a Skip' from 5pm to 7pm at 5 Stable Lane (near the Dart station), where visitors will have the opportunity to see how discarded materials can be transformed into beautiful and practical creations as local craftsman Blaise Alexander opens his workshop and shares his passion for upcycling. Read more Inside a secretive Freemasons' hall in Wicklow as doors open for National Heritage Week Also on Thursday, there is a rare chance to explore one of Arklow's most intriguing buildings when the Abercorn Masonic Hall opens its doors for 'Step Across the Threshold: An Evening with Arklow Freemasons'. Starting at 4pm, the event offers a unique insight into the history, symbolism and traditions associated with the landmark building on Ferrybank. Those looking to connect with nature and the wilds of west Wicklow can take part in 'Wild Pilgrim' on Saturday, August 22, at Kilranelagh Hill, from 10am to 4.30pm. (Note there is a fee of €65.) Combining storytelling, history, creativity and reflection, the immersive experience explores sites including Brigid's Well, a stone circle and a ringfort, while participants are encouraged to take part in art and nature-based activities. There is another opportunity to to catch one of the most fascinating events of the week as Old Connaught Graveyard, in Bray, opens its gates again on Sunday, August 23, from 11am to 2pm. 1 / 13 Aine Vize and Fiona Conway at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 2 / 13 The Garg and Chauhan families at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly. 3 / 13 Fiona Conway and David Shannon at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 4 / 13 Eva Howell in the kitchen at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 5 / 13 Tatjana Upelniece and Johnny Harris relax at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 6 / 13 Helen Mangan and Ceolan Dunne during a tour of Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly. 7 / 13 Kevin, Roisin, Matilda and Jacob Doyle at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 8 / 13 Emma White and Ronan Banahan at Wicklow Lighthouse during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 9 / 13 Liam Kenny, Padraig Hoxey, Sean Byrne, Michael O'Toole, Deirdre Burns and Caoimhe Ó Súilleabháin at Michael Dwyer's cottage, Derrynamuck, during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 10 / 13 Peader Cullen during a talk on the life of Michael Dwyer at Michael Dwyer's cottage, Derrynamuck, during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 11 / 13 Michael O'Toole gives a talk on the life of Michael Dwyer, at Rathdangan Community Hall, during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 12 / 13 Scott Golden gives a talk in the 'Ties that Tie' event in Nun's Cross Church, Ashford, during Heritage Week. © Michael Kelly 13 / 13 Genealogist Ita O'Boyle and Yvonne O'Byrne during the 'Family History with Ita' event for Heritage Week at Rathdrum Library. © Michael Kelly The historic burial ground contains memorials including chest tombs, stone crosses and headstones dating back to the 17th Century. Among its notable features are two First World War graves and the oldest recorded date in the cemetery, 1661, visible on the restored O'Neale family headstone. Visitors will have the chance to explore the site and learn about the generations of local families commemorated there. Later that afternoon, journalist and author Peter Murtagh will lead a guided walk through Greystones' historic Burnaby Estate, exploring its architecture and the stories of the people who once lived there. The walk starts at Burnaby Park, at 2pm. 1 / 8 Micháel Tyrrell at the exhibition Blessington and District Through the Ages. © Barry Hamilton 2 / 8 The Blessington History Society's Don O'Sullivan, Jim Hill, Peter Kelly, Jim Corley, Carmel O'Neill and Paul Tyrrell with Wicklow TD Edward Timmins, and Cllr Pat Mahon, leas cathaoirleach of the district, at the exhibition Blessington and District Through the Ages. © Barry Hamilton 3 / 8 Paul Tyrrell from the Blessington History Society speaking at the exhibition Blessington and District Through the Ages. © Barry Hamilton 4 / 8 Wicklow TD Edward Timmins, Cllr Pat Mahon, leas cathaoirleach of Baltinglass Municipal District, and Paul Tyrrell, at the exhibition Blessington and District Through the Ages. © Barry Hamilton 5 / 8 Peter Kelly at the exhibition Blessington and District Through the Ages. © Barry Hamilton 6 / 8 Don O'Sullivan from the Blessington History Society with Wicklow TD Edward Timmins at the society's new exhibit for National Heritage Week. © Barry Hamilton 7 / 8 Rachel Dunne and Micháel Tyrrell at the exhibition Blessington and District Through the Ages. © Barry Hamilton 8 / 8 Paul Tyrrell from the Blessington History Society with Denise Early from AIB Blessington at the society's new exhibit. © Barry Hamilton Meanwhile, if its music you're after, at 3pm in the Brockagh Centre in Laragh, there is a special celebration of Wicklow's mining heritage through music, dance and storytelling with The Barn Ensemble, the Roundwood Set Dancers and MC Pat Nolan. With dozens of events to come, there remains plenty of opportunity to discover Wicklow's hidden stories before Heritage Week concludes on Sunday, August 23.