People in Waterford invited to ‘Explore our Foundations’ as part of National Heritage Week 2025

National Heritage Week kicks off this Saturday August 16th, and is on track to feature a record number of events across Waterford and the island of Ireland - many of which are free - with more than 400,000 attendees expected.

This year’s celebration is particularly significant, marking 30 years since the establishment of The Heritage Council and 20 years since it took responsibility for coordinating National Heritage Week.

READ NEXT: A warm welcome in Waterford for Palestinian Boxers

With support from partners such as the OPW, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Landmark Trust and the Local Authority Waters Programme, National Heritage Week has grown to be the largest nationwide celebration of heritage annually.

Twenty years ago, in 2005 there were 260 events, and last year there were more than 2,300 events.  Awareness about the importance of protecting heritage has increased significantly during this time, with research commissioned by The Heritage Council showing an increase from 46% in 1999 to 68% in 2023.

The theme of Heritage Week this year is Exploring Our Foundations, inviting members of the public to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us. Events
will be held in every county across the island of Ireland spanning built, cultural and natural heritage, many of them free to attend and suitable for all ages.

Heritage Open Doors, which has been running in Cork for the last 20 years, has been extended across the island of Ireland this year for the first time. On Saturday August 16th and Sunday August 17th, the initiative will provide a rare opportunity to
access buildings not normally open to the public, including private homes, civic and public buildings including courthouses, religious buildings and commercial buildings.

READ NEXT: Waterford communities urged to lace up and walk 100km this September to help local families

While the majority of events are suitable for all ages and family friendly, Wild Child Day takes place on August 23rd, with a special focus on events designed to encourage kids and families to explore the heritage in their locality and beyond.
Water Heritage Day takes place on August 24th, in partnership with Local Authority Waters Programme, celebrating water throughout Ireland, its history and heritage and our connections with it.

A flavour of the events taking place around the country was on display at the launch of National Heritage Week this morning. A launch event in City Assembly House on South William Street - which is home to the Irish Georgian Society and will be hosting daily tours throughout Heritage Week - was attended by the Fingal Mummers in their distinctive traditional straw hats and costumes, members of ‘Fragarach’ Medieval Armoured Combat, named after mythical Irish swords, and the Rediscovery Centre which will be running workshops about Ireland’s biodiversity, ecosystems, food webs, and animals.

Waterford County Council Heritage officer Bernadette Guest, said;

“This National Heritage Week, the people of Waterford are embracing the theme ‘Exploring Our Foundations’ by digging deep into the stories, structures, and landscapes that have shaped the county across centuries.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Stop/go traffic in place as roadworks begin on busy Waterford road this week

“From insightful talks on railway history, maritime heritage and nature and wildlife to fun activity for children in Reginald’ s Tower, Waterford Libraries, and Lismore Heritage Centre along with the Viking Festival at Woodstown on the Greenway there are opportunities for everyone to connect with the past in meaningful ways.

“Across city and county, participants can step into history through archaeology activities, explore the legacy of women in 19th-century society, or reflect on the hidden histories preserved in textiles, gravestones, and even local handball alleys.

“Waterford’s National Heritage Week programme honours the rich layers of our shared foundations and celebrates not just what we’ve inherited, but how we continue to shape and sustain our heritage for future generations.”