August 2026

The 2026 National Heritage Week will take place from Saturday 15th August to Sunday 23rd August. It is part of the European Heritage Days.

This year, the theme will be “ Heritage at Risk”. It suggests people to reflect on the fragility of heritage. Historic buildings, streetscapes, monuments, and archaeological sites are particularly vulnerable to climate-related impacts such as flooding, coastal erosion, rising damp, heat stress, and extreme weather events.

Also, traditions, languages, music, crafts, rituals, stories and everyday practices are at risk due to social change.

Mayo people proudly will make any efforts to promote this year’s theme and protect the natural and cultural heritage at risk

These events cater for all visitors to our County, families and children alike.

List of 2026 Events:

• Basilica 50, Guided Shrine and Basilica Tours, from Saturday 15th August to Friday 21st August from 11am to 12pm at Knock Balilica and Knock Shrine Grounds.
• From Classroom to Community Centre, Stories and Photos, 22 August from 11am to 2 pm, at Ballyglass Community Centre, Ballyglass.
• Lámha Ciúine: Ireland’s Quiet Loss of Traditional Skills, 23 August, from 3 pm to 4 pm, National Museum of Ireland, Castlebar.
• Lacken Heritage Day, 18 August, from 12pm to 3pm, Lacken Sensory Garden, Lacken Strand, Ballina.
• Lough CArra Bioblitz at Moore Hall, 22 August, from 10 am to 4 pm, Moore Hall Forest Recreation Area, Carnacon.
• The Living Wall:A Biodiversity Walk in Kiltimagh Park, 23 August, from 10.30 am to 11.30 am, Kiltimagh Emigrant Park, Thomas Street Kiltimagh.
• Traditional Craft Celebration, 16 August, from 1 pm to 4pm, National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park Castlebar.
• Urban Fossil Walk, 19 August, from 10 am to 11am, The Old Mart, Glendenning Monument, Octagon, Westport.
• Voices of Dún Chaocháin: Recordings from the Early 1990s, 21 August from 11am to 12pm, Carrowteige village, Erris.
• Ballyhaunis: Foundation of a Friary, 22 August, from 9.30 am to 4 pm, Friary Church, Abbey Street, Ballyhaunis.
• Pumps and Fountains: the History and Archaeology of Public Water Supply in Co. Mayo 1870-1950, 18 August, from 7 pm to 8pm, Ballina LIbrary, Ballina.
• Tóstal Bhreac-Cluana, Ballyhaunis, Bus Day Tour on 20th August from 9am to 9pm,and Special Night on 22nd August from 8 pm to 11pm, Ballyhaunis.