Heritage Week success in Nenagh

Thanks so much to everyone who took part and to everyone who helped out in any way in making Heritage Week 2026 in Nenagh such a fantastic success!

We have a town that is full of heritage and stories, and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to showcase it. Nenagh Tourist Office co-ordinated a programme of events in the Historic & Cultural Quarter in conjunction with Nenagh Courts Service, North Tipperary Genealogy & Heritage Centre, Nenagh Castle and Nenagh Arts Centre. Events organised included:

Five tours of Nenagh Courthouse courtesy of Michael Reynolds. Thanks to the Courts Service for facilitating this.

Stories from Inside the Walls of Nenagh Castle by Kevin Whelan.

Three tours of Nenagh Gatehouse at Nenagh Heritage Centre courtesy of Libby Grey and Ger Maher. Thanks also to Nora O’ Meara for facilitating these.

Talk by Farrier Murty O’Meara at Nenagh Heritage Centre - it was fascinating to see the pictures of the horse’s foot and to learn about the different type of shoe, the anatomy of the horse’s foot, the different types of horse, donkey, pony, the nails used and the equipment as well as how the trade has changed over the years. Murty spent four years training for this trade - it is so important that this service is provided by people who are qualified to provide it.

Brilliant talk and presentation by John Quinn of Riverlane Upholstery & Furniture Repair on ‘Fixing Old Stuff’, which was received really well by those lucky enough to hear it.

Wonderful demonstration of woodcraft by Dee Synnott Woodcraft in the Heritage Centre on a foot powered lathe, which he made himself. He has a huge range of wooden bowls, cups, etc, which would make lovely gifts.

Insight into the 1926 Census in the Heritage Centre by Stephanie Woods where advice was given on how to research family information and how this census differed from others previously published.

CHURCH TOURS

Two tours of St Mary of the Rosary Church and St Mary’s Church of Ireland courtesy of John Flannery and Jocelyn Sanders were also featured, and the beauty of the buildings and their history were outlined. There was great interest in this topic. Sincere thanks to Fr Pat Gilbert of Nenagh Parish and Rev Keith Barry for facilitating these.

Food lore, cuisine and natural homegrown produced were the key elements of the talk by Peter Ward of Country Choice, aided and abetted by Mary Ward and Mary McDonagh - and they fed us too!

Special children’s event was ‘The Big Dig’ by the School of Irish Archaeology in the Courthouse Carpark. The weather remained kind and children had a ball digging in the sand and exploring the past.

Talk in Nenagh Tourist Office by Dr Conor Reidy - well known for his features on Tipp FM with Fran Curry on Tipperary’s Hidden Histories.

There were also events in Nenagh Arts Centre with Stories by Eddie Lenihan and music from Theresa Larkin and friends. Other events included those organised by the Nenagh Players and the launch of ‘Out of the Shadows: The Invisible Women of Nenagh’ in Nenagh Library. And two of the ‘Unravelling Shane’ tours set out from the Tourist Office during Heritage Week.

What a week! If you have any suggestions for next year let us know. The Historic & Cultural Quarter was buzzing!Special thanks to Victoria Lee in Nenagh Tourist Office for her co-ordination and planning; Tipperary Heritage Office for their support; Patrick Nevin, Hazel O’Brien, Fiana Ní Chonaill and the staff of Nenagh Arts Centre (Kate, Tommy Mitchell, PJ, Andrew, Bobby, Neil O’Donnell, Cian) for their help and humour during a busy week!