Members of the Irish Defence Forces parachuted into Phoenix Park yesterday, while on the ground the Gael and Gall Living History Society took visitors back in time to sample life in a Viking village.
The unusual mix of modern and ancient marked the official opening of National Heritage Week by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera.
More than 350 events on the theme "Europe: A Common Heritage" have been planned all over the State, the first time a full week has been devoted to a celebration of Irish heritage.
Many events are free, and as 1999 is the UN International Year of Older Persons, activities have been planned in recognition of this. The week is co-ordinated by Duchas, the heritage service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Culture and the Islands.
For the ESB, its involvement with National Heritage Week complements its major sponsorship of Nation Building, a television series which tells the story of modern Ireland in a radically different way and which will be transmitted next February.
There will be musical events and recitals at venues as diverse as Cahir Castle and the bandstand in St Stephen's Green; walks and guided tours and talks and lectures.
Also during the week "The Time Trail to the Millennium" will be opened at Grianan an Aileach in Donegal, in association with the Historic Buildings Council of Northern Ireland. Events will be organised in Northern Ireland during the year, with each site representing a selected historical period.