The 2025 National Heritage Week website is now live, and organisers across Ireland are invited to begin submitting events for this year’s celebration, which runs from 16th-24th August.
Now in its 25th year, National Heritage Week is Ireland’s largest heritage festival, with over 2,000 events taking place annually, attended by almost 400,000 people.
Since The Heritage Council assumed responsibility for running Heritage Week in 2006, the annual event has continued to grow year on year. Last year, saw a record-breaking 2,385 events registered across the country – a 25% increase on 2023. An all-island event, most events are free to attend.
This year’s theme, ‘Exploring Our Foundations’, invites individuals and communities to reflect on the elements that underpin our shared heritage — not only historic buildings or structures, but also the natural landscapes, stories, customs and cultural practices that shape our collective identity and sense of place.
Heritage Council Chief Executive Officer, Viriginia Teehan said that it’s a time to celebrate ‘not only our past and those that came before, but the vibrant cultural expressions and natural environments that continue to shape our lives today’.
“Our heritage — tangible, intangible, and natural — gives us a shared language of memory, tradition, and place. From historic buildings to folklore, from woodlands and hedgerows to music and craft, it allows us to connect deeply with each other and with where we come from. By encouraging communities to preserve, explore and reinterpret these foundations, we’re also fostering pride, creativity and economic vitality at a local level. Heritage Week is a real highlight of our year at the Heritage Council; I am always inspired by the range of events and projects that come to life across the country and the passion of their organisers.”
PLENTY OF CHOICE
Cork hosted a very high number of events for Heritage Week last year. In Cork county, 165 events were organised, while there was 139 in Cork city. This equates to an impressive 45.8 events per 100,000 residents in Cork county and 62.1 in Cork city. From guided walks and hands-on workshops to musical performances and heritage trails, communities across the county showcased a rich tapestry of local heritage.
Last year, Tipperary hosted 99 registered events, equating to an impressive 59 events per 100,000 residents — above the national average. While Limerick hosted 33 events for National Heritage Week.
With a focus on the foundations of heritage and the communities that keep it alive, Heritage Week 2025 promises to be an inspiring and inclusive celebration. To organise an event for National Heritage Week, an organiser must register through the Organisers’ Portal. After registering, they can submit their event or project via the portal before the week begins. In-person events seeking local promotion must be submitted by Friday, 20th June, and all final outputs are due by Friday, 22nd August. Visit www.heritageweek.ie.
