Ireland’s last wooden ocean-going ship, that was built in Baltimore, was a winner at the recent National Heritage Week awards.

The AK Ilen, now in use by the Sailing Into Wellness group, won the Exploring Our Foundations Award, recognising events that encouraged attendees to explore the physical, cultural, and natural building blocks of Ireland’s heritage.

As part of Cork’s Heritage Week celebrations, the AK Ilen was open for guided tours, talks, and hands-on activities in Kinsale.

Meanwhile, ‘Foraging from Land to Sea on Bere Island’ from the Bere Island Projects Group CLG was a runner-up for the Sustainability & Climate Award. The foraging event was guided by guided by herbalist Jen Doran and seaweed forager Samuel Arnold Keane

Virginia Teehan, chief executive of the Heritage Council congratulated all the winners of this year’s awards.

Brenda Elphick and Helen Riddell of the Bere Island Projects Group with Virginia Teehan, Dr Martina Moloney, and Síle Seoige. (Photos: Alf Harvey)

‘Deciding on the final winners was a challenging task as there were so many wonderful events to choose from. The winning events all helped to bring creativity and connection to our communities in their own special way’ said Ms Teehan.

‘The awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the dedication, and hard work of communities across Ireland who bring our shared heritage to life. I am grateful to all those that have taken the time to share their knowledge, time and passion with others’.

‘It is fantastic to see how much people value their local heritage, and the Heritage Council is honoured to support and showcase these remarkable efforts’.

Cork County Council Heritage Officer, Conor Neligan added that these awards ‘highlight the richness of our heritage and the incredible efforts made to celebrate it in inclusive, meaningful, and engaging ways’.

‘Congratulations to everyone involved, and thank you for the passion and hard work that brought these events to life.’