Heritage Week (Aug 20th - Aug 28th) - Our Events in Sligo ©Paul J Allen 2011 Woodland Walk Guided by Beatrice Macdonald. Wth Readings from the Poetry of W.B. Yeats 27 August Hazelwood Forest, Sligo The Woodland Walk of Hazelwood Forest proved to be a very successful and enjoyable stroll around the beautiful and historic part of the former Wynne Estate. Even the sun shone. Approximately 30 people attended, not just local residents but from all over Ireland and visitors from U.K. as well. In such wondrous surroundings the group was conducted around the tree lined trail by Beatrice MacDonald, Chairman of the Hazelwood Action group Sligo, while Catherine Bell from the "Irene Flemming school of Speech and Drama" gave superb and enigmatic readings from poetry by W.B. Yeats. While she was reading from the ‘Stolen Child’ a Grey Heron obligingly flew past! The visitors were told some of the history of the Hazelwood estate, as well as interesting information concerning the trees and plant life seen along the way during the walk, led by Beatrice Macdonald, from the local Hazelwood group. We were delighted to welcome Cllr Micheal Flemming, Cathaoirlach of Sligo County Council, in joining us on the walk. Afterwards he gave the vote of thanks to the organisers and the participants. Everyone went home dry, a little more aware of the beauty of this astonishing area of Sligo, more knowledgeable of the great works of our local poet and hopefully significantly appreciative why we must save, care and protect this impressive forest and its historic house. Dr Deignan's "Twilight of an Era"  Sligo Park Hotel Thursday 25th August An audience of approximately 100 people attended an illustrated talk on Hazelwood House,  given by Dr Padraig Deignan, BA, MA, HDE, PIID, entitled ‘Owen Wynne VI of Hazelwood The twilight of an Era’,  at Sligo Park Hotel. Part of the contribution by the  Hazelwood Action Group Sligo to ‘Heritage Week’.  Dr Padraig Deignan spoke about The Wynne family owners, of  the large Hazelwood estate, who were pioneers both in agricultural and forestry methods. The illustrated presentation mainly detailed the  succession of Owen VI to the Wynne estates (1865). Under his ownership the estate witnessed remarkable changes,  political and agrarian reforms . Although being  a popular and improving landlord, developing forestry and farming at Hazelwood, as well as  making Hazelwood a  popular local sporting events venue, eventually he presided  over the dismantling of  the family’s power by local and national government. An  enthusiastic discussion followed the lecture with remarkable  detail of personal involvement in events of Hazelwood House.  Such audience interaction,  Dr Padraig Deignan’s knowledge and research made the whole evening an  informative and enjoyable night that highlighted the importance of Hazelwood House and its environment for the future