From felt making to historic building tours, this year’s Heritage Week invites you to reconnect with Ireland’s heritage across the region.
National Heritage Week returns from 16th–24th August, and this year’s theme, Exploring Our Foundations, highlights the deep-rooted cultural, natural, and built traditions that shape Ireland today. Here are some events in the locality that will be well worth attending.
OPEN DAY AT KILLEE COTTAGE, MITCHELSTOWN
24th August: An opportunity to explore this traditional cottage. This is a free event offering a self-guided tour of this charming centuries-old cottage, now restored as self-catering accommodation.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION TALLOW AND EARLIER MEDIEVAL CHURCHES
21st August – Tallow, Co. Waterford: A Talk on the History of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception Tallow and the Earlier Medieval Churches of the Parish will be given by well-known local historian Niall O’Brien.
PUPPET SHOW ‘THE PRINCESS AND THE DRAGON’
20th August – Cahir Castle: An opportunity to watch a puppet show in a very historic location. Cahir Castle is presenting their original production of ‘The Princess and the Dragon’ Puppet Show.
GUIDED TOUR OF HISTORIC SITES OF BUTTEVANT
23rd August: A tour on the history of this historic Cork town. The guided tour will feature the Franciscan Friary, Buttevant Castle, the foundations of the town and will end at St John’s Church where the world’s first steeplechase was held in 1752.
TALK ON IRELAND’S PLANT LORE BY CAROL SESSFORD AT TIPPERARY TOWN
21st August: Carol Sessford, Master Medical Herbalist will explore the history of our native wild plants – especially the important role they have played in Ireland’s culture and folklore.
19th August: Would you like to find out how to start your family history journey? As part of Heritage Week 2025, a member of the Local Studies Library will give a free talk in Fermoy library on how you might start researching your family tree using the various genealogical records.
23rd August: On Wild Child Day Ballyhoura Development will hold a Family-Friendly event with biodiversity friendly hedgerow talk with fun and interactive knowledge. There will be fun and facts for young and old alike, focusing on hedgerows and the natural and cultural significance of them.
17th August: Learn a new skill and get up and close with felting with a course on how to make a seat warmer using raw local sheep wool with Zivile of Zen Felting. A participation fee applies.
