Background

National Heritage Week celebrates all aspects of our natural, built and cultural heritage. One of the aims of National Heritage Week each year is to give those that engage with National Heritage Week the opportunity to explore new places and locations and learn the stories about these locations.

For over 20 years the Cork City Heritage Open Day event has given participants in Cork city to access buildings that would not normally be open to the public; from courthouses to Masonic lodges. This event has become extremely popular in Cork city with over 40 local landmark buildings taking part and attendees enjoying exploring these buildings.

Inspired by the long running success of this programme., the Heritage Council ran a pilot programme in 2024 in conjunction with the Offaly and Donegal Heritage Officers to explore the concept in rural and urban locations. On Saturday 17th August last year properties in both counties along with Cork city gave visitors the opportunity to explore some unique aspects of our built heritage. Explore the full list of properties that took part below.

Heritage Open Doors in 2024

There were a number of events that took place across Offaly for the Heritage Open Door event. You could visit buildings spanning from the 10th to the 20th century across the county. The medieval monastery such as Clonmacnoise was open to the public to view the "seven churches" of this important historic shite. The historic "big house" was represented by the 18th century Charleville Castle. But there was also the traditional farmstead of Carrigeen Farmhouse, and some new 21st century adoption of a historic building with the modern conversion of a Georgian townhouse that is the Esker Arts Centre. St. Anne’s in Kilcormac visitors had the opportunity to see historic properties and their use as homes for previous generations.

Anyone attending these locations were able to take a peak at how these buildings and proprieties were used and learn about the many changes that have been made to them over the centuries. In addition during National Heritage Week 2024 there were guided tours of Tullamore Courthouse with a chance to explore this historical building in Tullamore.

In Donegal a wide variety of events took place in 2024 to mark Heritage Open Doors. With its abundance of traditional architecture and buildings, there was lots to explore. There were a number of cottages open including a weavers cottage, the Ardroe thatch, and the Weavers cottage as well as Teach John Micí Bán where a spinning demonstration took place. St Connell's Museum in the Glenties had artefacts on display from the Great Famine, traditional Irish crafts, and other significant historical events relevant to Donegal.

Alongside that National Heritage Week participants could visit Teach Micí Mac Gabhann as part of Féile Saibhreas Mhachaire Rabhartaig or explore farming heritage at the Gallinagh Museum. For a different type of architecture visit the Christ Church Mountcharles was open as well as the "The Hall" house built approximately in the 1750's.

Outside of the Heritage Open Door event, many buildings opened their doors especially for National Heritage Week 2024. Members of the Historic Houses of Ireland opened their properties throughout Heritage Week including buildings such as Stradbally House or Slane Castle.

The Irish Landmark Trust also opened their properties for National Heritage Week. With everything from a lighthouse to a converted schoolhouse available to visit. Finally the OPW opened over 45 properties (except Kilmainham Gaol) for free access for the first weekend of National Heritage Week.

National Heritage Week 2025

Heritage Open Doors returns for National Heritage Week 2025 with a bigger participation of buildings planned across the entire island. Details of the buildings taking part will be shared in the coming weeks.

Information for Property Owners/Managers

If you are a custodian of historic building, it might be worth considering participation in Heritage Open Doors. If you manage or own a historic property and want to participate in Heritage Open Doors, you can join the initiative by signing up as a event organiser for National Heritage Week. More information is available here.