- Summer of Heritage tours: 16–24 August, various Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown locations.
- Fairy Castle Hill: 19 August, Ticknock Forest.
- Merrion Square walk: 20 August, 2pm–4pm.
- Zion Parish Heritage Day: 16 August, 10am–4pm.
- Swords Castle archaeology: 18–22 August, 10am–4pm.
National Heritage Week 2026 in Dublin from 15–23 August highlights include: Summer of Heritage Guided Walking Tours run from 16–24 August across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, including landmarks like the National Maritime Museum, Dalkey Castle, James Joyce Tower and Killiney Hill. Archaeology & Geodiversity of Fairy Castle Hill on 19 August at Ticknock Forest. Merrion Square: A Walk Through Time on 20 August from 2pm–4pm at the National Gallery entrance. Zion Parish Heritage Day on 16 August from 10am–4pm at Zion Parish Church, Rathgar. 10 Years of Community Archaeology in Fingal runs 18–22 August from 10am–4pm at Swords Castle. Preserving the Dunleary maritime heritage event on 23 August from 12:30pm–3pm at Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire. The Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun hosts Heritage Week Workshops for Kids. Water Heritage Day on 23 August.
Dublin typically hosts one of the largest programmes with hundreds of events, including guided walks, talks, exhibitions, open days, workshops, and family activities focused on built, cultural, natural, and archaeological heritage. The full programme is on heritageweek.ie (filter by Dublin locations). Here are twenty key events drawn from the 2026 listings (more are added regularly):
- Summer of Heritage Guided Walking Tours (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council): Various dates and locations across the county (e.g., 16–24 August). Free tours of landmarks like National Maritime Museum, Dalkey Castle, James Joyce Tower, Marlay House, Killiney Hill, and historic walks (e.g., Blackrock, Dundrum, Booterstown).
- Archaeology & Geodiversity of Fairy Castle Hill, Dublin Mountains (Irish Uplands Forum): Ticknock Forest / Carrickmines, 19 August (evening). Guided exploration.
- Merrion Square: A Walk Through Time: National Gallery entrance, Merrion Square, 20 August (2pm–4pm). Georgian history and notable residents (e.g., Oscar Wilde, Duke of Wellington).
- Zion Parish Heritage Day, Rathgar: Zion Parish Church, 16 August (10am–4pm). Talks, music, exhibitions on local history, stained glass, and greener initiatives.
- Tenement Lives: Four Courts / Northside Dublin, multiple dates (e.g., 17–18 August). Walking tour on tenement history.
- Monasteries, Markets & Gibbets Mead: Four Courts / Northside, 17–18 August. Tour of ecclesiastical, civic, and residential heritage.
- 10 Years of Community Archaeology in Fingal (Fingal County Council): Swords Castle, 18–22 August (10am–4pm). Exhibition on digs and projects.
- Preserving the Dunleary: A Celebration of Maritime Heritage (Dunleary Lifeboat Project): Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire, 23 August (12:30pm–3pm). Tours, demonstrations, and talks.
- ‘Minerals, Museums, and Mines’ Exhibition and Talk (RDS): RDS Library, Dublin City, 17–21 August. Geology and heritage focus.
- A Day in the Life of a Georgian Lady (Irish Georgian Society – Cork Chapter, but listed in broader events; similar Georgian events in Dublin). Check for Dublin-specific equivalents.
- Killiney Hill and Village Tour (Killiney Village Residents Association): Killiney Hill Park, 19 August (3pm–4:30pm).
- Old Churches of Killiney (Killiney Village Residents Association): 20 August (3pm–4:30pm).
- Tour of Rathdown Union Workhouse – Famine Graveyard: Loughlinstown area, multiple dates (e.g., 15, 16, 22, 23 August).
- Heritage and the Big Bang of Storytelling: Civic Trust House, Dublin City (mid-August). Event with local storyteller.
- Try the Pipes (Na Píobairí Uilleann): Henrietta Street, 19 August (2–5pm). Uilleann pipes experience.
- “Almost Never Beyond Repair..” Lunchtime Talk (Irish Georgian Society): City Assembly House, 18 August. Paper conservation talk.
- ‘My Ocean’ Afternoon Tea (Irish Ocean Literacy Network): Bolton Street, 20 August. Maritime connections.
- Exploring our Roots (various community events, e.g., in Rathgar or similar). Parish and local roots focus.
- Medieval Life, Weapons & the Vikings (South Dublin libraries): Clondalkin area, 16 August. Demonstration.
- Heritage Open Doors (various Dublin locations): Access to historic buildings across the city and county not usually open to the public.
- Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin County Councils organise or support many additional walks, exhibitions, and OPW site activities (e.g., at castles or museums). For the most up-to-date and complete list of 20+ events, visit the official site and filter by Dublin areas.
Dublin Mountains & South Dublin
- Archaeology & Geodiversity of Fairy Castle Hill: A signature regional event hosted by the Irish Uplands Forum on Wednesday, August 19th. It features a guided mountain tour focusing on ancient upland heritage. A free Dublin Mountains Partnership (DMP) shuttle bus departs from the Carrickmines Park & Ride at 6:30 PM, or participants can meet directly at the Ticknock Forest Upper Carpark trailhead at 7:00 PM.
Office of Public Works (OPW) & Open Doors
- OPW Heritage Properties: State-managed sites like Rathfarnham Castle host specialized historic tours, exhibitions, and family-friendly demonstrations throughout the week.
- Heritage Open Doors: Historic structures and local architectural landmarks normally closed to the public open their doors for free guided architectural paths across Dublin City, Fingal, and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Specialised and Year-Round Heritage Events
- The Rediscovery Centre (Ballymun): Hosts dedicated Heritage Week Workshops for Kids, guiding children aged 6 to 12 through interactive nature art and Irish wildlife ecosystem lessons.
- Water Heritage Day: Celebrated on the final day, Sunday, August 23rd, featuring focused coastal tours around Dún Laoghaire and river biodiversity explorations across Dublin’s water networks.
- The complete, searchable database of volunteer-led and institutional events can be filtered by specific local areas via the official National Heritage Week Event Listing
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
Churches
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
Folklore
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
Gardens to Visit
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
Graveyards
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
Haunted places
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
History
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
Holy Wells
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
Largest town walking tour
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
Musicians
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
Name explained
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
Novelists
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
Off the Beaten Track
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
Poets
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
Quotes
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
Random facts
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
Sacred Places
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
Saints
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
Songs
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
Towns
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
Villages
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
Writers
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
1837
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
Ireland county by county
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
