Offaly communities encouraged to register events for National Heritage Week in August
National Heritage Week is getting bigger each year, with Offaly hosting 80 events for it in 2025, which represented an increase of 10% on 2024.
Event registration for National Heritage Week 2026 is now open, with community organisations, volunteers and heritage groups across Offaly being invited to contribute to the festival programme running from August 15–23.
Now in its 26th year, National Heritage Week is Ireland’s largest celebration of built, cultural, and natural heritage, with over 2,500 events taking place annually, attended by almost half a million people. This week-long festival is an all-island initiative, with the majority of events free to attend.
This year’s theme, 'Heritage at Risk', invites individuals and communities to consider the elements of our heritage that are vulnerable or under threat – from historic buildings and archaeological sites to natural habitats, traditional skills, folklore, language and ways of life.
Through guided walks, hands-on workshops, talks, performances and heritage trails, events will highlight not only the richness of local heritage, but the importance of protecting and sustaining it for future generations.
Offaly County Council heritage officer Amanda Pedlow said: "National Heritage Week, held each year in August, is an important opportunity for communities, organisations and individuals in Offaly to celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage that shapes their area of the county, while also thinking about what is most vulnerable and how it can be safeguarded.
"In 2025 the county hosted 80 events, a considerable increase on the previous year which highlights the growing interest in hosting events and sharing heritage. I would encourage anyone considering hosting an event to get in touch with the Heritage and Conservation team in the council for any advice or assistance and to register an event."
Last year, Offaly included events such as Clonmacnoise Monastic Site Open Day and The Rosse Drawings Exhibition at Birr Castle Demesne.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said: "National Heritage Week is driven by the passion, creativity and commitment of volunteers, community groups and heritage champions right across Ireland.
"Their dedication is what makes the week such a success year after year, bringing our shared heritage to life in towns, villages and neighbourhoods.
"Collective community action serves as the most effective safeguard for vulnerable heritage assets, ensuring that built heritage landmarks, ecological habitats and heritage stories and traditions are preserved for future generations."
Organisers are encouraged to register their events for National Heritage Week 2026 at www.heritageweek.ie, where resources will be available to support event planning, accessibility, and promotion.