How Heritage Week unites Ireland with community, culture, and history

Irish Examiner

9 hours ago

ASK anyone involved in tourism, hospitality, and heritage-driven sectors and they'll agree — National Heritage Week connects us to our community, past as well as present.
This year's celebration is particularly significant — it marks 30 years since the establishment of the government organisation the Heritage Council, and two decades since the latter took responsibility for coordinating the seven-day jamboree. 'National Heritage Week is a special time to reflect on the many layers of Kerry's past and how they continue to shape our communities,' according to Kerry County Council heritage officer Victoria McCarthy.
'Across the county [and Ireland], this year's programme invites us to explore our shared foundations from archaeological digs and bogland traditions to local music, craft, creative writing and storytelling. Whether you're celebrating 100 years of hurling in North Kerry, walking the grounds of a historic estate in Killorglin, or joining a harp session in Finuge, these events are about more than history; they're about connection and pride in our community.'
A specially curated tour will take place at Ross Castle, Killarney, Co Kerry, as part of Heritage Week,
The chief executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, is of the same opinion, as she describes our heritage as 'a precious connection with where we live, and with each other'. 'Our heritage is something that we share with our ancestors as well as future generations,' she says. 'It's what makes us special, and it's also something that is evolving all the time, as Ireland is.'
So, there's no excuse not to get out there and join in the fun as it begins today, Saturday, August 16, and continues until Sunday, August 24. 'From coastal walks and wildlife surveys to folklore-inspired illustration workshops and community archaeology talks, there are opportunities for all ages to take part,' adds Victoria McCarthy. 'I encourage everyone to join in, learn something new, and celebrate the people, stories, and landscapes that make Kerry's heritage so rich and unique.'
Let's explore
The theme of Heritage Week 2025 is Exploring Our Foundations, inviting us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage — from structures to landscapes and cultural activities. There's something for everyone, in every county across the island of Ireland, with events spanning built, cultural and natural heritage, many of them free to attend and suitable for all ages.
Organisers expect a record number of gatherings this year, with more than 400,000 attendees expected across the island of Ireland.
Charles Fort, Cork.
When the initiative began in 2005, there were 260 events, and last year, more than 2,300 were staged.
Awareness about the importance of protecting heritage has increased significantly during this time, with research commissioned by the Heritage Council showing an increase from 46% in 1999 to 68% in 2023.
The heritage sector is worth an estimated €4.6 billion to the economy every year and supports 62,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the Heritage Council in the past year.
Open doors
Head for Cork city and its beloved Heritage Open Doors is celebrating its milestone two-decade birthday this year as part of National Heritage Week, giving people a rare opportunity to access buildings not normally open to the public — from courthouses to masonic lodges.
So popular has it become, with over 40 local landmark buildings taking part and thousands enjoying the chance to have a prowl around them, that Heritage Open Doors has been extended beyond Cork and across the island of Ireland this year for the first time.
City Assembly House in Dublin will host free daily tours during National Heritage Week. Pictured is Jack O'Leary, Fragarach Medieval Armoured Combat Ireland. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan
Which means today, Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17, we'll have a rare opportunity to slip inside buildings not normally open to the public, including private homes, civic and public buildings, including courthouses, religious buildings and commercial buildings for a good old snoop.
Other events in Cork range from seaweed-pressing workshops and basket-making demonstrations to the Bandon Walled Town Festival. 'From archaeological illustration to the hidden fossil treasures beneath our feet, there are countless opportunities to connect with the stories that have shaped our city,' says Cork City Council heritage officer Niamh Twomey.
'Whether you're singing along to timeless ballads or learning about the vital role of insects in our ecosystem, Heritage Week invites everyone to discover, reflect, and celebrate. We encourage people of all ages to get involved and enjoy the richness of Cork's living heritage.'
The week is 'a powerful celebration of our natural, cultural, and built heritage', according to Cork County Council heritage officer Conor Nelligan, who also believes it 'beautifully reflects the diversity and creativity of our communities': 'Festivals like the Bandon Walled Town Festival offer a colourful and immersive look at our historic towns, while nature walks, biodiversity talks, and artistic demonstrations connect us more deeply to our environment.
'Whether you're exploring holy wells in West Cork or discovering the elusive lesser horseshoe bat, Heritage Week is about coming together to honour the stories, skills, and places that make Cork County truly unique. I invite everyone to take part in this rich and varied celebration of who we are and where we've come from.'
Visit Heritageireland.ietarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> and Heritageweek.ie for a full list of 2025 events