​National Heritage Week is a nine-day celebration of Ireland’s natural, built and cultural heritage. The main aim of the week is to promote awareness of our heritage, thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation. It is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Their programme will include all sorts of events relating to heritage including forests and woodlands, wildlife, geology, coastal and marine, lakes & wetlands, rivers, landscapes, gardens & parks, folklore, genealogy, historic buildings, archives, industrial heritage, inland waterways, archaeology, local history, military, historic collections, sport, traditional skills, transport and walled towns. The 2023 Heritage Week will run from Saturday, 12 August to Sunday, 20 August. The National Heritage Week website has been accepting submissions since Tuesday 2nd of May and the deadline for submissions is Tuesday 22nd of August. The theme for 2023 is "Living Heritage" which many of the projects will be related to.

National Heritage Week Water Heritage Day is happening on Sunday, 20 August. Water Heritage Day is held in partnership with the Local Authority Waters Programme. As an island nation, our history and our heritage have been shaped by the sea and the great Irish rivers, lakes and wetlands. Water Heritage Day celebrates water throughout Ireland, its history and heritage and our connections with it.

Wild Child Day has been a really popular part of National Heritage Week since its inception. This year Wild Child Day takes place on Saturday, 19 August and encourages children to look at the world around them differently. 

Heritage Week 2022 featured approximately 50 events related to geoscience. Check back here closer to the date to download our list of Heritage Week 2023's geoscience programme. 

You can find details on how to organise and register your project or event HERE.

You can access the developing Heritage Week programme of events HERE.