NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK 2011 has kicked off, with over 1,400 events taking place across the country between last Saturday’s opening events and next Monday.

The nine-day event is being coordinated by Heritage Ireland as part of European Heritage Days, and includes events put on by volunteer groups the length and breadth of the country.

Over 370,000 people are expected at 1,400 events around the country – with 200 in Dublin alone – encompassing themes from archaeology to transport, genealogy, landscapes, forests, sport and the marine.

The event is intended to act as an opportunity for the public to learn more about Ireland’s national heritage, to enjoy it, and to preserve it for future generations.

Among the standout events is the ‘President Obama Tour of Offaly‘, which retraces the path of Barack Obama’s tour of Shinrone and Moneygall, which takes place on Wednesday.

All of the week’s events are catalogued at the Heritage Week website, and can also be found through a specially-made iPhone app.

Arts minister Jimmy Deenihan said the range of events taking place “demonstrates the diversity of our heritage that is very much part of us both individually and as a nation”.

“We must never take our heritage for granted; our heritage plays a central role in shaping and contributing to the future of Ireland,” he said.

Fine Gael’s Seanad arts and heritage spokesperson Catherine Noone urged the public to “go out, do something new and book early”.

“People can go bog-walking or they can take part in a medieval banquet, as they have more options than ever before – which is a testament to the effort of the volunteers”.