National Heritage Week 2025 in Kilkenny
National Heritage Week 2025, which took place from 16-24 August across Kilkenny city and county providing highly successful programme of heritage engagement for all. With over 60 diverse events and hundreds of participants, this year’s theme, “Exploring Our Foundations”, inspired communities to delve into the stories, landscapes, and traditions that shape Kilkenny’s rich heritage. From historic walking tours and craft demonstrations to digital heritage workshops and folklore storytelling, the week offered something for everyone and crowds of all ages turned out in the sunshine to explore our local built, cultural and natural heritage. Along with supporting event organisers, the Heritage Office organised four well-attended events connected to some of our current projects: The Talbots Tower Breathwork Experience; A bi-lingual guided walk along Dunmore Mass Path and two tours around Kilkenny’s medieval City Walls.
Heritage Week Forest School Taster Session at Shankill Castle. Photo Credit: Freddie Greenall
Kilkenny related Film to Screen at IMC
A new documentary film, entitled Loughmore to the Front’ will screen at IMC Kilkenny on Monday 20th October at 8pm. The film includes reference to the Butlers of KIlkenny Castle who married into the Purcells of Loughmore Castle in the 1200s. All are welcome to attend this evening of local history. Booking will open a week in advance of the screening. For further information see: https://imc.ie/kilkenny-barrack-street/
Kilkenny Archaeological Society – Upcoming events
Kilkenny Archaeological Society will host a lecture on the history of the railways in Kilkenny by Donie Butler at Rothe House at 8pm, 15 October. The Annual John Bradley Memorial Weekend will also take place from 31 October-1 November in Kilkenny. This year’s theme is William Robertson, (1770-1850) Kilkenny’s First Architect. For further details on all events see: https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/
Kilkenny – Home of Halloween
Kilkenny has been designated as a destination for Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween pilot project. This has enabled a fantastic programme of events to take place across Co. Kilkenny, throughout October, many of which have a strong heritage theme and take place at heritage venues across the county. For further details and to see the full programme of events see: https://visitkilkenny.ie/home-of-halloween/
Ponds for Wildlife
Aoife O’Rourke will visit the Mayfair Library to deliver a talk on the biodiversity benefits of ponds and social benefits including education and wellbeing. Aoife was the Pond Development Officer for An Taisce’s Legacy4Life Ponds for Biodiversity Project which aimed to promote the establishment of a point Network across Ireland as a measure to help reverse Biodiversity Loss and mitigate against climate change. The event will take place at 6:30pm on 9th October. Admission is free but booking is required, please contact the Mayfair Library for booking: mayfair@kilkennylibrary.ie
Remembering the Black Abbey 1225-2025 – Life and Death in Medieval Kilkenny
Kilkenny County Council’s Public Commemoration Programme is delighted to present a talk on the findings of scientific analysis on human remains found during excavations at the Black Abbey in the 1990s. The project “Remembering the Black Abbey 1225-2025: Life and Death in Medieval Kilkenny” focused on conducting a series of scientific analysis on 14 individuals that were recovered during the archaeological excavation at the Black Abbey in 1996. Martin Reid who was the licenced site director during the archaeological excavation in 1996 will cover the background and history of the excavation. Niamh Daly who specialises in Osteoarchaeology will present on the new scientific data obtained through funding from Public Commemoration Fund, Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and administered by Kilkenny County Council. The talk will take place at the Mayfair Library at 6pm on Thursday 23rd October, all welcome.
Keep her Lit – Féile Samhain
Tickets are now on sale for the Keep her Lit -Féile Samhain which will take place on 1-2 November in Inistioge. The festival celebrates the heritage of Samhain with candle-lit concerts, storytelling and singing, walks and workshops in willow, wild foods, dancing and more! There’s something for young
Click here for more information and booking.
The Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre, 5-12 October
The Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre in New Ross, Ireland, is a unique cultural and civic celebration of the deep ties between Ireland and the United States — a connection exemplified by the Irish heritage of playwright Eugene O’Neill. O’Neill’s father, James, was born in nearby Tinneranny and emigrated from New Ross to the United States. This transatlantic connection forms the heart of the festival, which is proudly supported by a partnership between the O’Neill Ancestral Trust of New Ross and the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, based in Danville, California. Together, these organisations present the International Eugene O’Neill Festival, a two-part celebration held annually — first in Danville each September, and then in New Ross every October. The festival not only honours O’Neill’s powerful legacy as America’s most celebrated playwright, but also fosters international friendship and creative exchange through theatre, heritage, music, and conversation. For more information see: https://eugeneoneillfestival.com/
