Heritage Council calls on children across the country to showcase local heritage through LEGO®
The Heritage Council is calling on children across the country to put their imagination to good use this summer by using LEGO® bricks to recreate their favourite example of Irish built, natural or cultural heritage.
The competition is open to children aged between four and twelve years, with two age categories: 4-to-7-years, and 8-to-12-years. To enter, children need to build their model, choose their category, write a short description of what their model represents and why it’s important to them, and then take a photo of the model and submit it via the Heritage Council website. The Heritage Council plans to feature as many entries as it can on its website and Facebook page.
Mayor of Fingal Cllr. David Healy welcomed the initiative saying: “The theme of this year’s Heritage Week is ‘Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage’ and this competition provides a wonderful opportunity for children in Fingal to do just that in a fun creative way. There are plenty of great examples of natural and built heritage in Fingal that children can study and use as inspiration for their Lego creations.”
Christine Baker Fingal Heritage Officer commented “This is a wonderful initiative to encourage children to engage with Heritage and spark their creativity. I enthusiastically encourage children to take part would love to see lots of entries featuring our rich Fingal heritage.”
To provide some inspiration and guidance, LEGO® brick artist, Jessica Farrell will build a sample model every week and will post the step-by-step plan on the Heritage Council Facebook page. The sample models will include:
· Built Heritage: Traditional thatch cottage; High Cross, Dolmen.
· Natural Heritage: Red Fox; Hedgehog; native Irish honeybee, with flower.
· Cultural Heritage: Celtic interlace pattern; Galway Hooker boat.
Commenting, Heritage Council chief executive, Virginia Teehan said: “We have seen over the past number of months the important role that heritage has played in people’s lives in Ireland and we think that this fun competition will give children the opportunity to really think about their local heritage, to examine it in detail, and to recreate what they see through the power of LEGO®. This is the first time we’ve run such a competition and we are delighted to have LEGO® brick artist, Jessica Farrell on board to show just what can be achieved with these little bricks.
“In terms of entries, we’re looking for anything from Irish landscapes, to round towers, to castles, to waterways, to Ireland’s wildlife – the possibilities are endless. It’s also important for entrants to let us know what their model represents; why they chose this piece of local heritage, and why it’s important to them.
“While technical merit will be a significant factor in the judging, the judges will also seek to award prizes on the basis of imagination, interpretation, and the supporting information submitted.”
Chairman of the Heritage Council, Michael Parsons added: “As a parent and as a former teacher, I am well aware of the joy LEGO® can bring to children and the ingenuity it can spark. I very much look forward to seeing the heritage models the children of Ireland build as part of this competition.”
The closing date for entries is Sunday, 30th August, with prizes of LEGO® DK books for the winners of each of the 4-7-year-old categories, and a LEGO® kit for the winners of the older categories.
Visit the Heritage Council website, www.heritagecouncil.ie or the Heritage Council Facebook page for competition rules and further details.
ENDS
Contact: Joanne Ahern, DHR Communications. Tel: 087-9881837.
Notes to Editors:
· Heritage Council wildlife officer, Lorcán Scott is available for interview, on request.
About the Heritage Council: The Heritage Council was established under the Heritage Act 1995 with responsibility to propose polices and priorities for the national heritage. It works in co-operation with a range of agencies, communities and individuals to promote education, enjoyment and understanding of our national heritage. For further information, visit: www.heritagecouncil.ie.