National Heritage Week 2025 in Kilkenny
An exciting programme of over 60 events around Co. Kilkenny is planned to celebrate National Heritage Week which will take place from 16-24 August 2025. The week invites us to foster a deeper appreciation for the heritage that shapes our identities and communities, ensuring its preservation for future generations. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge, culture and practices through a variety of public events, the majority of which are free to attend. For further information:
Link: https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/p4?q&where[]=kilkenny
Celebrate our Walled Town Heritage – The Heritage Office is delighted to host following events during Heritage Week to celebrate the Kilkenny City Walls. These events are part of our current project to develop an Interpretation Plan for Kilkenny’s City Walls co-funded by the Heritage Council and Kilkenny County Council.
- Breathing Life into History: The Talbots Tower Breathwork Experience (10am, 23rd August)
- Kilkenny City Walls Walking Tours (1-3pm; 4-6pm, 24th August)
Mass Paths in Memory / Cosáin Aifrinn, Cuimhní na gCosán – The Heritage Office invites you to enjoy a bi-lingual ramble along Dunmore Mass Path exploring history, biodiversity agus an Ghaeilge. Join Heritage Specialist Pat Reid and Artist Róisín Sheehy on a ramble along Dunmore Mass Path. Along the way, Pat will talk about the heritage of mass paths in Ireland while Róisín will read excerpts from Cín Lae Amhlaoibh, a diary written by Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin in Kilkenny between the years 1827 to 1835 which gives insight into life in rural Ireland in the early 19th century. Be inspired by the mass path to write your own diary entry along the way. The event will take place 12:00-1:30pm on 24th August. Further information can be found here
Thomastown Bat Walk –The Biodiversity Office invites you to Thomastown come to explore bats with Albert Nolan. Albert will provide a short talk about bats followed by a demonstration using a bat detector. The walk begins at 9:00pm on Friday 22nd August, meeting at the car park on Marshes Street, Thomastown. Further information can be found here .
Celebrating 250 Years of Daniel O’Connell
Celebrate 250 Years of Daniel O’Connell at the Medieval Mile Museum for a special exhibition and talks commemorating the birth of Daniel O’Connell, a key figure in Irish political history. Discover unique artefacts like the Club 82 uniform and ceremonial sash, and hear insights from historians Jim Ryan, Dr. Gerry O’Keefe, and Larry Scallan on Ireland’s political evolution. The event takes place on 22nd August from 6:30 to 7:30pm and is free to attend. To book, visit www.medievalmilemuseum.ie or call 056 781 7022.
Events at Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle is delighted to host a range of exciting events this August. As part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival (7th–17th August), visitors can enjoy literary events in the Parade Tower, a preview of the Alice Project in the Medieval Room, and the return of Secret Garden Music. A highlight of the festival, Light Up the Castle: Because You’re Free, will run from 13–16 August at 10:45pm in the Rose Garden.
During Heritage Week, free admission to Kilkenny Castle is offered on Saturday 16th August for individual visitors. A special talk by Commandant (Retired) Larry Scallan on the 1st Battalion Kilkenny Brigade will take place on Wednesday 20 August at 3pm in the Parade Tower.
On Sunday 24th August at 2:30pm, the Star of Knockagh Accordion Band will perform in Kilkenny Castle Park. The Kilkenny Motor Club will host a vintage car display on Saturday 30 August from 10am to 3pm.
Hedgerow & Wayside: Native Plants of County Kilkenny
Hedgerow & Wayside: Native Plants of County Kilkenny” is an art exhibition featuring botanical artworks created by Jen Castle and Polly Minett using plants foraged from Kilkenny hedgerows. The exhibition will be held at Rothe House & Garden during the Kilkenny Arts Festival from 7th to 17th August. The artists transform foraged plants like elderberries, nettles, and foxgloves into handmade papers and natural dyes for their art. A soundscape by Kate Powell, using recordings from Kilkenny hedgerows, will also be part of the exhibition. On Wednesday 13th August, between 11 am and 12 noon, the artists will hold an informal presentation where they will describe their creative process, materials used, inspiration for some of the pieces, and demonstrate some of the skills / techniques that they used.
National Built Heritage Service Traditional Skills Training
The National Built Heritage Service is offering a series of one day and two-day training events across Ireland, aimed at homeowners, contractors, and professionals working with traditional buildings. These sessions provide practical conservation advice and hands-on experience in traditional building techniques. Upcoming topics include joinery repair, lime plastering, drystone walling, and mud wall restoration. To learn more and booking details, click here .
Training Schedule
| Date | Title | Audience | Venue | Price |
| 9–10 August | Old House Masonry Repair & Lime Plastering | Beginners, homeowners | Ards Friary, Donegal | €140 |
| 30–31 August | Introduction to Drystone Walling (DSWAI) | Beginners, homeowners | Hollywood, Wicklow | €108.23 (Sold Out) |
| 30–31 August | Repairing Mud-Walled Buildings with Earth Mortars & Hot Lime | Homeowners, professionals, contractors | Pallasgreen, Limerick | €140 |
| 6 September | Use of Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) Mortars | Beginners, homeowners | Strokestown House, Roscommon | €70 |
| 26–27 September | Traditional Lime Mortars (Plasters & Renders) with BLFI | Experienced plasterers | Killoran House, Tipperary | €140 |
| 27–28 September | Repairing Mud-Walled Buildings with Earth Mortars & Hot Lime | Homeowners, professionals, contractors | Pallasgreen, Limerick | €140 |
| 4–5 October | Introduction to Drystone Walling (DSWAI) | Beginners, homeowners | Clonmines, Wexford | €108.23 |
South Kilkenny Historical Society
The South Kilkenny Historical Society has two upcoming events this August. On Sunday, 17th August, join Joe Doyle for a Mystery Tour of Thomastown. The tour begins at 2pm from Sweetman’s Castle/Mullin’s Castle, located just after crossing the bridge into Thomastown. Attendees are advised to park in the car park opposite The Salmon Pool. This event is free and open to all.
On Saturday, 30th August, a Guided Tour of Kilcash will take place, starting at 9:40am from Carrick-on-Suir Library (E32 X860). To reach the meeting point, turn right at the traffic lights, travel approximately 80 metres, and turn left behind the Garda Barracks. This event is also free and open to everyone.
The lecture programme for September to December will be announced shortly and will feature talks by retired Judge Tom Teehan and Conor Brady, former editor of The Irish Times and Commissioner with GSOC.
