Taking Footsteps to Cool for Kids Heritage Week award

Every year thousands of events take place throughout Ireland during Heritage Week. In 2016 the first ever Footsteps in the Forest event held in Slieve Gullion Forest Park was one of the largest and was entered into the National Heritage Week Awards.  Last week, at an awards ceremony held in the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin, it was announced that the Footsteps in the Forest won the overall best in the Cool for Kids Family category

The award was presented by Heather Humphreys, Minister for Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Michael Parsons, Chair of the Heritage Council.

“I would like to congratulate each of the heritage projects receiving awards today, the individuals, professionals and community groups, who work tirelessly to protect and preserve our heritage are the backbone of the heritage sector. It’s great to see that commitment recognised for so many organisations here today” said the Minister.

Gillian Fitzpatrick chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down District Council who received the award, a lovely Jerpoint Crystal vase, said:

“It is amazing that in its first year, Footsteps in the Forest has been recognised as the best Heritage Week event for families across the whole of Ireland. I can’t wait for Footsteps 2017 taking place in June this year”

Footsteps in the Forest was funded by the Arts Council Northern Ireland and Newry Mourne and Down District council and was supported by the Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership and there are plans afoot to make the next footsteps even bigger and better. Footsteps in the Forest 2017 is scheduled in for 3-4 June 2017.

Pictured: Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick holding the National Heritage Week Award ‘Cool for Kids’ won by Slieve Gullion’s Footsteps in the Forest Event over the whole of Ireland. Grace and Adam just want to PARTY with this amazing achievement.