Ireland’s Heritage at Risk: What Could Disappear?

This digital heritage project explores parts of Ireland’s built, natural and living heritage that could disappear if they are not actively recorded, maintained and protected.

Presented as a narrated short documentary, the video examines how neglect, erosion, changing land use and the loss of traditional knowledge can threaten historic buildings, archaeological sites, thatched cottages, holy wells, traditional crafts, archives and oral traditions.

The project was created in response to the National Heritage Week 2026 theme, “Heritage at Risk.” Its purpose is to raise awareness that heritage is not preserved automatically. Once a building collapses, a local memory is forgotten or a traditional skill is no longer passed to another generation, something valuable may be lost forever.

The video also highlights the important role that individuals, craftspeople, historians and local communities can play by recording stories, maintaining historic places and sharing knowledge with future generations.

Viewers are invited to consider which parts of the heritage in their own communities may be at risk and what could be done to protect them.