The Cliffs of Moher will take part in National Heritage Week 2026 with a programme dedicated to Irish crafts, landscapes and traditions. From 15 to 23 August, visitors will be able to attend workshops and demonstrations at one of Ireland’s most famous natural sites.
This year’s event will be held around the theme Heritage at Risk. It will shine a light on the people helping to preserve traditional crafts, the Irish language and natural environments. Activities will take place on different dates throughout the week at the Cliffs of Moher visitor site.
Heritage Week 2026 at the Cliffs of Moher
Nine days dedicated to Irish heritage
National Heritage Week is one of Ireland’s main cultural events, held each year. Coordinated by the Heritage Council, it brings together hundreds of events devoted to the country’s architectural, historical, cultural and natural heritage.
At the Cliffs of Moher, the 2026 programme will explore several aspects of Irish identity. Visitors will be able to discover the skills of craftspeople, gain a better understanding of the role of the Irish language, and explore the natural habitats along the Atlantic coast.
Events will be spread across the whole of Heritage Week. They will complement the site’s usual visitor experience without turning the cliffs into a mere festival backdrop: above all, the programme aims to explain how living heritage is passed on and protected.
Weaving and hurley-making workshops
Traditional crafts at the heart of the programme
On 15 and 18 August, Anne O’Toole will present wool-working and different weaving techniques. These sessions will offer an opportunity to observe craft practices that were long essential to rural Irish communities.
The Irish language will take centre stage on 16 and 19 August with Helena Considine. These events will recall the place of Irish in the country’s history, culture and identity.
On 20 and 23 August, Aidan Cuddihy will give demonstrations on making hurleys, the wooden sticks used to play hurling. This Gaelic sport is one of Ireland’s oldest and most emblematic traditions.
Discovering the natural heritage of the Cliffs of Moher
Guided tours focused on landscapes and habitats
The programme will not be limited to cultural heritage. On 17 and 21 August, Ger Morrissey will lead guided tours focused on the cliffs’ landscapes, habitats and natural environment.
These outings will offer a better understanding of both the richness and the fragility of this coastal environment. Exposed to wind, erosion and high visitor numbers, the site requires ongoing monitoring and conservation work.
On 22 August, travelling craftspeople will also present blacksmithing and woodwork demonstrations. Visitors will be able to observe technical skills traditionally passed down from one generation to the next.
Planning your visit during Heritage Week
Activities taking place from 15 to 23 August 2026
The Cliffs of Moher will remain open throughout the event. Their Heritage Week programme will run from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 August 2026, during the site’s usual opening hours.
Visitors interested in a particular activity should check its date before travelling, as each workshop or demonstration is held only on certain days. The full programme is available on the official National Heritage Week website.
As always on the County Clare coast, suitable clothing is essential. Waterproof and windproof outerwear can be useful, even in August. The paths can also become slippery after a shower.
