by Ronan McSherry r.mcsherry@ulsterherald.com
Historic buildings across Tyrone will be included among the 230 events and properties open to the public this weekend, September 8-9, as Northern Ireland's part of European Heritage Open Days (EHOD). Entrance to all the sites will be free.
The local architectural gems include Clogher Cathedral, Mullaghmore House on the Old Mountfield Road Omagh, and Newtownstewart Castle and Baronscourt, Newtownstewart. Other historical buildings in Strabane, Benburb, Cookstown, Grange and Coalisland are also among the sites that will host thousands of visitors in the weekend long festival of built heritage.
Last year, EHOD was enjoyed by over 46,000 visitors to the annual two-day culture festival. This year events taking place throughout the country range from private houses, public buildings, gardens, churches, hotels, thatched cottages, restored mills, historic monuments, windmills, jails, courthouses and contemporary buildings. In areas of historic interest, special events and walking tours have been arranged to feature buildings of interest in the area.
Launching the 10th Anniversary event Environment Minister Arlene Foster MLA said, "Over the coming weekend, we will celebrate our rich legacy of built heritage culture in Northern Ireland. I am very grateful to the owners of these buildings who open their doors to provide us all with a rare opportunity to see inside. I hope that those of you who have participated in previous years will make a return visit and for those of you who have not yet participated I strongly recommend doing so and making this the most successful event yet.
There are fine examples of buildings ranging from courthouses and jails to a model village; cathedrals to a lighthouse keeper's cottage and a traditional thatched building. Most of these properties are not normally accessible to the public. This weekend affords us all a superb opportunity to see what is behind the doors of these wonderful properties and there is something for everyone no matter what age or interest."
European Heritage Open Days are organised by the Environment and Heritage Service to encourage people of all ages to discover the North's rich architecture.
Brochures detailing all the opening times of the properties and the various events taking place are available from libraries and Tourist Information Centres across the North. Not all are open on both Saturday and Sunday.
Brochures can also be viewed at www.ehsni.gov.uk (click on Built Heritage, click on Events and then European Heritage Open Days).
