Arra Historical & Archaeological Society will host special heritage week events

​The Arra Historical & Archaeological Society is inviting the people of Nenagh and surrounding areas to take part in two fascinating events during National Heritage Week 2026, taking place from 15–23 August. This year’s national theme is “Heritage at Risk”, encouraging communities to explore and protect the natural, built and cultural heritage that connects us to the past.

​The society’s programme offers two very different opportunities to discover local heritage, one focusing on the often-overlooked contribution of women to life in Nenagh, and the other exploring the natural and built heritage of the Garrykennedy area.

‘Out of the Shadows’ – remembering the invisible women of Nenagh

On Tuesday 18 August at 6:30pm, Nenagh Library will host the launch of a new commemorative booklet, Out of the Shadows – The Invisible Women of Nenagh.

The booklet, launched by Siobhán McGowan, shines a light on significant women whose contributions helped shape the educational, economic, political, social and cultural life of the Nenagh district. The project, organised by the Ormond Historical Society and Arra Historical & Archaeological Society, aims to ensure that the experiences and achievements of these women are not lost to future generations.

The women featured span a considerable period of local history, from the arrival of the Mercy Sisters in 1854 to the more recent life of GAA stalwart Elizabeth Howard. Among those remembered are women who challenged the expectations of their time, including the Hon. Mrs Juliana Roberts, the Rohan sisters and Mary Bridget Ryan of Lacken. The booklet also recognises women whose stories represent wider experiences in the community, including Maggie Ryan and the nationally and internationally celebrated voice of Nora Butler Swan.

The organisers hope that the launch will encourage people to share their own memories, stories and knowledge of the women who contributed to the life of Nenagh, ensuring that more local stories can be brought “out of the shadows”.

The launch takes place at Nenagh Library on Tuesday 18 August at 6.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Nature, folklore and heritage at Garrykennedy

The following evening, Wednesday 19 August at 6:30pm, the Arra Historical & Archaeological Society will turn its attention to the natural and built heritage of the wider area with a guided nature walk in Garrykennedy, led by Dr Siobhán Geraghty.

Participants are asked to meet near the Castle/Old Harbour at 6:30pm for a walk through the woods and surrounding landscape. The event promises to explore much more than the area's flora and fauna. Dr Geraghty will discuss the traditional naming of plants, local folklore and ecology, while also drawing attention to the built heritage of Garrykennedy.

The walk is particularly appropriate to this year’s Heritage Week theme. National Heritage Week 2026 highlights the vulnerability of natural heritage, including landscapes, habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity and the cultural knowledge associated with them.

The Garrykennedy event provides an opportunity to see this relationship between nature and human history at first hand, exploring how the landscape, its plants, stories, traditions and historic structures have all contributed to the character of the area.

There is no charge for the walk, which forms part of the Heritage Week programme. Participants are advised to wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear, as the route will include uneven ground. The walk is also subject to cancellation in the event of adverse weather.