National Heritage Week 2026 takes place across Ireland from August 15 to August 23, 2026. Coordinated by The Heritage Council, this year’s core theme is “Heritage at Risk,” focusing on endangered built, natural, and cultural traditions.
Thousands of free local events—including guided tours, historical talks, craft workshops, and open days, are held nationwide, bringing together local communities, historical societies, and wildlife enthusiasts to host hands-on and immersive activities:
Participants can explore old towns, vulnerable coastlines, biodiversity trails, and architectural landmarks, watch experts practice endangered skills like stone-cutting, straw-craft, and wool-spinning and enjoy free entry to select national monuments, historic houses, and partner properties, such as select Office of Public Works locations during the opening weekend and attend local library lectures, folklore storytelling sessions, genealogy workshops, and digital archiving projects highlighting local heritage preservation
Free Events
- Living History: 17th Century Soldier Experience: Step back in time with interactive historical reenactments, musketeers, blacksmiths, and a 2:00 PM battlefield walk. Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Oldbridge Estate, Co. Meath. 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Crafts in Action at Turlough Park: Watch expert craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills like basket weaving, stonemasonry, and woodworking. National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Co. Mayo. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
- Echoes of Aughagower Heritage Day: Launch of a new heritage trail website followed by traditional craft displays, live music, and a historic stone-lifting demonstration. Aughagower Community Centre, Co. Mayo. Starts at 3:00 PM.
- Open Day at Castletown Gate Houses: Take a self-guided tour of the beautifully restored 18th-century Gate House and Round House. Castletown House Gate Houses, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Medieval Bronze Hand Bell Casting: Witness a live public demonstration of ancient metalworking and bronze casting. Lusk Community Cultural Centre, Church Road, Lusk, Co. Dublin. 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Open Day at Loop Head Lightkeeper’s House: Explore the historic, fully restored home of the lightkeepers at this scenic coastal landmark. Loop Head Lighthouse, Co. Clare. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Bilingual Tour of Hore Abbey: A guided historical tour of the gorgeous 13th-century Cistercian monastery spoken in Irish and English. Hore Abbey, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. Midday (12:00 PM).
- Design Your Own Shield Workshop: A creative family-friendly workshop allowing participants to paint medieval shields. Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
- Guided Tours of Lusk Round Tower & Belfry: Climb and explore the distinct 9th-century round tower and Norman belfry on a free guided historical tour. Lusk Round Tower, Lusk, Co. Dublin. 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM slots.
- Monuments to a Mood Follies Tour: A unique guided walking tour exploring the historic outdoor architectural structures known as follies. Pearse Museum, St. Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin. 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM.
External link
Official Heritage Week site with updates and list of events.
Heritage week
Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Donegal – Dublin – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford –Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Archaeology
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Castles
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
