Heritage Week 2026: hundreds of free events to discover in Ireland
Castles, monuments and unusual tours will feature from 15 to 23 August
Medieval castles, historic monuments, monastic sites, guided tours and demonstrations: Ireland is preparing to celebrate its heritage as part of National Heritage Week 2026.
The event will take place across Ireland from 15 to 23 August 2026. For nine days, a very large number of visits and activities will be offered free of charge to the public.
For travellers in Ireland during this period, it is a particularly interesting opportunity. Some monuments will offer free admission, while others will organise guided tours, historical demonstrations or activities created especially for Heritage Week.
Which monuments can you visit for free during Heritage Week?
A selection of places to add to your itinerary
The programme is spread across the country. Among the sites and events of particular interest to travellers are:
- The Custom House in Dublin: free entry on 15 August, with self-guided and guided tours.
- Reginald’s Tower in Waterford: free entry on 15 August, with several activities throughout Heritage Week.
- Charles Fort near Kinsale: free-entry day on 15 August, with several guided tours.
- Ferns Castle in Wexford: free guided tours throughout Heritage Week and a special day devoted to traditional crafts on 15 August.
- Ennis Friary in Clare: free guided tours of the former Franciscan monastery.
- Athenry Castle in Galway: free archery demonstration on 15 August.
- Ross Castle in Kerry: activities and tours focusing on the history of the castle and Ross Island.
- Scattery Island in Clare: tours and activities exploring the island’s history and military heritage.
- Donegal Castle: activities and family events organised during the week.
- Lusk in County Dublin: free tours of the round tower, church and Norman belfry on several dates.
This list represents only a small part of the programme. Many other events are being organised in both towns and rural areas.
The Custom House will be free to visit in Dublin
An opportunity to discover the interior of one of the capital’s iconic monuments
In Dublin, The Custom House will offer free entry on Saturday 15 August.
Situated on the banks of the River Liffey, this imposing neoclassical building is one of the most recognisable monuments in the Irish capital.
Visitors will be able to choose between exploring independently with an audio guide and joining a guided tour in English. Good news for French travellers: the audio guide will also be available in French.
Self-guided visits may be available without booking, subject to capacity. However, booking will be essential for guided tours.
Free entry to Reginald’s Tower in Waterford on 15 August
Discover Waterford’s Viking history without paying an admission fee
In Waterford, Reginald’s Tower will open its doors free of charge on Saturday 15 August, from 9.30am to 5pm.
Located in the heart of the famous Viking Triangle, the tower is one of Waterford’s most iconic historic monuments. It is an excellent place to understand the Viking and later medieval history of Ireland’s oldest city.
Families will also be able to enjoy a LEGO trail organised inside the tower throughout Heritage Week. Dioramas will offer a fun way to discover the different functions the monument has served over the centuries.
Charles Fort will also open its doors free of charge
A great opportunity near Kinsale
Travellers visiting County Cork will also be able to take advantage of Heritage Week to discover Charles Fort.
This impressive fortress near Kinsale will offer a free-entry day on Saturday 15 August.
Several guided tours will be offered throughout the day, including at noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Overlooking Kinsale Harbour, the site is already one of the most interesting historic monuments in southern Ireland. This day therefore offers an excellent opportunity to include it free of charge in an excursion around the area.
Ferns Castle will offer free tours for nine days
A Norman castle to discover in Wexford
In County Wexford, Ferns Castle will take a full part in Heritage Week.
From 15 to 23 August, free guided tours will explore the history of this Norman fortress, built around 1200.
The castle was built on the former political centre of Diarmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster. Only part of the original fortress survives today, but one of the towers still contains a remarkable circular chapel, ancient fireplaces and vaulted rooms.
On Saturday 15 August, Ferns Castle will also host a major day devoted to traditional Irish trades and crafts, from 11am to 4pm.
Wool, willow, clay, wood, stone and metal will all take centre stage. Traditional music, singing and dancing will also be offered within the castle grounds.
Athenry Castle steps back into the Middle Ages
A free archery demonstration
In County Galway, Athenry Castle will host a particularly visual event on Saturday 15 August.
A free archery demonstration will take place from 2pm to 5pm as part of Heritage Week.
For travellers visiting Galway and the surrounding area, the event could be a good opportunity to discover Athenry and its rich medieval heritage.
Ross Castle and Kerry will also join the celebrations
Events on the shores of the Killarney lakes
In Kerry, several events will take place around Ross Castle and Ross Island.
Walks focusing on the island’s history and heritage are scheduled for 15 and 22 August. Other activities will explore the different periods through which Ross Castle has lived.
For travellers staying in Killarney, these events can easily complement a day spent exploring the national park and the famous lakes of Killarney.
Clare announces a particularly rich programme
Ennis Friary and Scattery Island among the places to look out for
County Clare is one of the areas particularly active during Heritage Week.
At Ennis Friary, free guided tours will offer the chance to discover this important medieval Franciscan site.
Further west, Scattery Island will host several heritage events. Visitors will be able to learn more about the former gun battery built during the Napoleonic era, or discover traditional skills such as willow weaving.
For travellers exploring the west coast, these events can easily be combined with visits to the Burren, Ennis and the Cliffs of Moher.
Free activities for families too
LEGO, crafts and living history on the programme
Heritage Week is not aimed solely at history enthusiasts. A significant part of the programme is designed for families.
LEGO trails at Reginald’s Tower, workshops, craft demonstrations, traditional music, archery and historical re-enactments all offer a more engaging way to explore Ireland’s heritage.
Several sites also offer activities specifically aimed at children.
Do you need to book the free events?
Free does not always mean that no booking is required
Conditions vary considerably from one event to another.
Some activities are freely accessible, while guided tours may sometimes have limited capacity. This is particularly true of certain time slots at the most popular monuments.
It is therefore advisable to check the participation requirements before setting off and to book where requested.
The official National Heritage Week programme allows you to filter events by date, county, type of activity and accessibility. This is particularly useful for identifying activities located directly along a road-trip itinerary.
When does Heritage Week 2026 take place?
Nine days of events across Ireland
National Heritage Week 2026 will take place from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 August.
Events will be held across almost the whole of Ireland, from Dublin to Donegal, as well as in Cork, Galway, Kerry, Clare, Waterford and Wexford.
For travellers in the country during the second half of August, checking the programme before each stop could therefore lead to some pleasant surprises: a free castle tour, a special opening, a historical demonstration or the discovery of a place that was not originally included in the trip.
