Huge array of events across Offaly for Heritage Week

Saturday 15th August

Learn to Leave No Trace at Banagher Outdoor Swimming Pool 10am-4pm

Join Leave No Trace Ireland for this engaging and interactive course, participants will explore the challenges facing natural heritage sites, discover practical ways to minimise their impact, and learn how the Leave No Trace Seven Principles can help safeguard places like Banagher Pool for future generations.

Viking Living History Village – from 11am-6pm

In Tullamore Town Park, the Golden Ravens Living History will show weapons, amour, and fighting techniques. Kids will have the chance to fight the Vikings in their own shield wall.

From Benchmarks to Jostle Stones to Postboxes - Hidden Secrets of Birr Walking Tour – 11am-1pm

Leaving from Emmet Square, join local historian and tour guide Richard Jack as he takes us on a stroll around Birr where he will recall the benchmarks, jostle stones and post boxes of the town.

Create Your Own Farming and Cobble Street Village Scenes

Heritage Week Workshop with Louise Ryan of Soul Goodness. Create your own farming scene or traditional village with cobbled streets, suitable for those aged 9 years or older. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Edenderry Library 11.30am / Tullamore Library 2pm.

Echoes of St. Manchan and his Mother Mella – Lemanaghan 1pm walk – 3.30pm film

Meeting at the Old School House join us for a guided walk along the old pilgrim routes of St. Manchan, travelling through landscapes shaped by centuries of human footsteps and the slow, patient formation of peat. Short film screening in the Granary at 3.30pm

Brontës: Love and Honour - A Musical Celebration – 2.30pm-3.30pm

Offaly History hosts 'Brontës: Love and Honour', a tribute to the celebrated 19th century Brontë family of Yorkshire. This melodic cycle of ten studio-recorded songs was written by the well known composer Michael O'Dowd and his wife Christine.

Plein Air: Painting Pullough's Lost Island 4pm-5.30pm / 6pm

Join us for an outdoor plein air painting session inspired by Pullough's Lost Island in the Bog creative community project. Followed by an evening exhibition showcasing paintings and stained-glass artworks created by members of the Pullough community.

Explore St Carthage’s Monastic Foundation at Rahan -5pm-6.30pm

Visit this ancient church and the monastic site founded in the 6th century by St Carthage (St. Mochuda) with its internationally significant Romanesque architecture. Talk by historian Rory Masterson 5.30pm

Organiser: The Island, Rahan & Mucklagh History Group

Sunday 16th August

Killeigh Told Through Visual Stories Exhibition -12.15pm-2pm

This exhibition presents nine small sculptural art pieces created by local residents who responded to an open call to reflect on Killeigh’s unique cultural heritage

Organiser: Martina Gorman, Killeigh Community Centre Development Committee Member

Venue: Killeigh Community Centre

Carrigeen Farmhouse Tour – 2pm-2.45pm / 6pm-7.30pm Traditonal Music Evening

This wonderful vernacular home has a nationally important interior of fixtures and fittings. The Hynes/Egan story is told by members of the Egan family who care for this unique home. Booking is essential. Email: [email protected]

Sundew Walk, Daingean 2pm-3.45pm

Hosted by Daingean Development Association, this guided walk explorea the local landscape and bog, where you’ll learn all about the fascinating sundew plant and the other native plants that thrive in our surroundings. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly experience and a lovely way to connect with nature. Wear apported footwear.

Songs of Travel and of Home – 3pm-4pm

Join baritone Pascal Kennedy and pianist Sophie Ward as they take you on a journey through the musically rich storytelling of Art Song. Together they perform Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel alongside some beautiful Irish artsongs, with composers such as Herbert Hughes, Thomas Moore and the poetry of W.B Yeats and James Joyce. Proceeds in aid of the Church of Ireland Restoration Fund. Organised by Birr Festival of Music and hosted in St Brendan's Church of Ireland

Booking Link: birrfestivalofmusic.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873688575

Monday 17th August

The 1830's Crotty Schism of Birr Talk – 10am-11am

Meet at Crotty’s Church, Castle Street for a brief history of the Crotty Schism which took place in the town of Birr during the 1830s. Father Michael Crotty broke away from the Catholic church to form their own church and convinced the majority of parishioners to follow him.

107.B Barge Tour in Shannon Harbour – 11am-12.00pm

Visit the Canal Barge 107.B to learn about the present and future plans for the barge. For the event the barge will remain stationary and that the event is a guided tour of a static display. Email [email protected] to book

Historical Walk & Talk of Monastic Village of Killeigh - 7pm-8.30pm

Meet at Killeigh Community Centre for a walk and talk led by Caimin O' Brien Archaeologist learn about the monastic past in Killeigh.

Nocturnal Wildlife Walk (Syngefield, Birr 1km) 9pm – 10.30pm

Led by Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer, this short (1km) family friendly walk around the Offaly County Council owned Syngefield demesne will be a fun and engaging evening to learn about bats, owls and other native and nocturnal wildlife. Meeting opposite Atkins Farm Machinery, Syngefield Industrial Estate Birr.

Tuesday 18th August

From Stars to Statue - Exploration of John's Place and the 3rd Earl of Rosse – 6pm to 7pm

Meeting at John's Hall, John's Place, Birr, historian Brian Kennedy will lead a walking tour of John's Place detailing the street's evolution, features of note and the key location of the statue of the 3rd Earl of Rosse. Organised by Birr Tidy Towns.

Daingean Heritage Trail Walk (with Courthouse Lecture)

Guided walk of historical Daingean, from the plantation of lands and the creation of King’s County and Philipstown in 1556 to its renaming back to Daingean at the foundation of the state in 1922. On Tuesday evening this will be followed by a lecture on the Courthouse and plans for its future.

Tue 18th 18:45 20:15

Sun 23rd 13:00 14:30

Organiser: Daingean Development Association

Venue: The Town Hall Daingean

A Walk Back in Time: Discovering Kilcormac's Pieta 7pm-9.30pm

Commencing with a short film followed by a guided interactive heritage walk through Kilcormac and culminating in a visit to the site of the local bog where the Pieta was buried for safekeeping.

Organiser: Kilcormac Development Association

Venue: Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

"If These Walls Could Talk" - The Evolving Functions of Buildings in Geashill Presentation – 7.30pm-9pm

A presentation in the Old Schoolhouse by Anne O'Rourke on the fascinating changes in the uses of Geashill’s buildings over the past 200 years. You will be introduced to the architect, blacksmith, doctor, publican, schoolmaster and more

Organiser: Geashill Tidy Towns

Exploring the Earley Studio Stained Glass in the Church of the Holy Family, Tubber – 6pm-7pm

Michael Earley will discuss the background to the Earley Stained Glass studios in Ireland and their work with special reference to the windows in Tubber.

Thursday 20th August

Tour of Loughton House 11am and 2pm

One hour tour of Loughton House was built in 1777. Set in one hundred acres of park and woodland, the house - one of the largest in the county, was re-modelled in 1837. Booking Essential. Adults: €5 | Concessions: OAP/School-goers €4 | Family Group: €10. Email: [email protected]

The Rambling House 11am-12.00pm

Birr Library hosts a showcase of a short visual project by artists Hazel Greene and Christor with Birr Men Together, exploring the tradition of the Irish rambling house through storytelling, oral history, and a contemporary recorded gathering.

Croghan Hill Explored 7pm-9pm

Meet at the Community Centre for a talk about the landscape and stories of Croghan Hill followed by a guided walk up Croghan Hill. Note the walk up the hill is short but strenuous and on uneven ground. Wear appropriate footwear. Hosted by Croghan Development Assocation.

Friday 21 August

Monasteroris: a place of pilgrimage – 6.30pm-7.30pm

Edenderry Historical Society welcome historian Dr Ciarán Reilly to lead a for a tour of Monasteroris graveyard to hear local stories from the 1798 rebellion, the First World War and the 1916 Rising, and featuring a visit to the grave of the Wexford Rebels of 1798, Col Perry and Fr Kearns. Please note parking near the site is limited and located on the busy R441. Please exercise caution when parking and do not impede traffic along the R441 or at neighbouring houses.

Bat Walk -8.30pm – 10pm

Join Banagher Tidy Towns to explore the local bat population beside the River Shannon. Led by Therese Kelly who has been surveying bats in the area for over ten years. Bat detectors and thermal imagers will be available to enhance your batty encounters. Please note the event will take place after sunset so dress appropriately for the weather and bring a torch.

Saturday 22nd August

'Wonder Wander' through Tullamore – 11am-1pm

Offaly History host Richard Jack who will lead a leisurely 3.5km walk around Tullamore looking at small features of heritage interest. Starting in O'Connor Square.

Traditional Irish Music & Language Day 12pm-6pm

Catholic Mothers Ireland invites young people to celebrate Ireland’s rich musical, linguistic and spiritual heritage. (All Children must be accompanied with an adult and not left unsupervised) email [email protected] to book. Donations accepted to cover costs

Organiser: Catholic Mothers Ireland

Venue: Tullamore Parish Centre

Brosna River Literary & Music Festival – 4pm-6pm

The Brosna River Literary & Music Festival will once again bring together communities from along the banks of the River Brosna for a unique celebration of music, poetry, storytelling, heritage and creativity hosted in the Old Bank.

Turbary Writes at Artful Parks, Clonaghadoo, Geashill – 7pm-9pm

Turbary Writes (In association with Power of Words) at Artful Parks, Clonaghadoo will commence with an introductory talk and tour by its founder Brian Gorman, following by a relaxing evening of song, stories and spoken to celebrate the unique culture, traditions and heritage of the boglands and their communities. The location will be signed off the N80 between Mountmellick and Tullamore. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor event in the heart of the bogland.

A Journey Through Offaly: Music, Memory and the Irish Country House – 7.30pm – 8.30pm

Shinrone Heritage Group welcomes Dr Karol Mullaney-Dignam of the University of Limerick. Drawing on research into the musical collections and culture of Birr Castle, Dr Mullaney-Dignam will explore the role of music in the Irish country house and the musical networks that connected families, communities and places across nineteenth-century Ireland. This event is followed by a live performance of the recently discovered song "The Pride Of Shinrone"

Venue: Cloughmoyle School House

Bat Walk at RHSI Bellefield- 8.30pm-10pm

A family-friendly, evening bat walk

Throughout the week

Exploring The Auld Haggert Museum

Every afternoon of Heritage Week you can step back in time at the Auld Haggert where up to 100 items of farm machinery are on display. There are various forms of transport ranging from horse drawn to vintage motorised vehicles.

Fieldcraft for the Curious Exhibition

During library opening hours. Tullamore Library hosts an exhibition from participants of a guided field trip and workshop, run by local botanist Helena Brady and local feltmaker, Caitriona Nolan.

Leinster Regiment Exhibition

During library opening hours, this exhibition in Birr Library commemorates the colourful history of the Barracks at Crinkill.

Offaly History Open Day - Putting a Spotlight on 'Heritage at Risk'

Every historic building, old manuscript, and ancient site tells a story about where we come from. But once they are gone, that history is lost forever. As part of our 2026 theme, ‘Heritage at Risk’, the Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society is shining a spotlight on local history, structures, and landscapes that are currently under threat.

Mon 17th 14:00 – 16:00; Thu 20th 11:00 – 13:00; Thu 20th 14:00

- 16:00. Address: Bury Quay, Tullamore

History of Tullamore and Offaly through Distillery, Brewing, and Mineral Water Memorabilia

Visit Offaly Heritage Centre on Bury Quay for an engaging exploration of Tullamore and Offaly’s rich heritage with our exclusive exhibition, "History through a Collection of Distillery, Brewing, and Mineral Water Memorabilia." This unique showcase invites visitors to explore a remarkable assortment of artifacts that illuminate the storied past of local industries

Fri 21st 13:00 – 17:00; Sat 22nd 13:00 – 17:00; Sun 23rd 13:00 – 17:00

Drawing Darú Exhibition

Visit Esker Arts centre to see the Drawing Darú project, facilitated by Visual Artist Claire Guinan, an exploration of the Book of Durrow through Art resulting from a series of workshops with the ladies from the Tullamore Women’s