The Dubliners singer Luke Kelly has been voted the 'person that best represents Irish heritage'.

The survey, carried out by the National Lottery and the Heritage Council ahead of National Heritage Week, also found that Irish music is the activity most associated with Irish heritage.

Some 23% of the Irish people polled said Kelly was the person that best represents Irish heritage – putting him just ahead of Christy Moore who came in with 21%.

Christy Moore at the launch of his CD/DVD Live at the Point 2006, Dublin. Image: Photocall Ireland

The study also found that 59% of people believe it is important to keep heritage alive through skills being passed down through generations.

The most popular pieces of heritage being passed down from older generations include cooking and baking – with 54% of respondents stating they have learned from a parent or grandparent.

Irish stew was voted the top traditional Irish meal, followed by bacon and cabbage and a full Irish breakfast.

National Heritage Week

Heritage Council CEO Virginia Teehan said the partnership with The National Lottery will help “spread awareness of heritage in all its forms”.

“As we prepare for the launch of National Heritage Week, I would like to encourage everybody to have a look at what’s on in their area and to enjoy what your area has to offer,” she said.

National Heritage Week 2023 takes place between August 12th and 20th, with over 1,200 free events and projects taking place around the country.

Galleries, gardens, historic houses, barnyards, and studios will play host to events covering everything from architecture to archaeology, film to foraging, philosophy to genealogy and music to storytelling.

National Heritage Week

There are also walks, talks and workshops to satisfy anyone who is curious about Irish heritage.

To find out what is happening in your area go to Heritageweek.ie.

The survey was carried out by 3Gem, on behalf of the National Lottery and the Heritage Council, among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults across Ireland towards the end of July 2023.