Clare Heritage Week 2025 comes to a close with over 100 events held in the county

Clare Heritage Week 2025 was marked by an outstanding programme of over 100 events that brought the community together, celebrating the county’s rich and diverse heritage.

Over the course of nine days, venues across Clare reported significantly increased footfall, with excellent attendance at all events. The week fulfilled its aims of fostering community connections, encouraging learning and showcasing the unique heritage of the banner county.

A standout feature of the week was the Kilrush Heritage Quarter’s own mini–heritage week, which featured over 30 events. The programme celebrated the people, place and community spirit of Kilrush through tours, talks, workshops, displays, music and storytelling.

Kilfenora offered a varied programme highlighting its religious and musical heritage, while Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park collaborated on a joint series of events. The OPW hosted open days and activities at the Friary in Ennis and on Scattery Island.

Other notable open days took place at Inchiquin House, Corofin, Barntick House, Ennis and Loop Head Lighthouse. Clare Libraries contributed with traditional basket weaving demonstrations, archaeology in a box and the launch of ‘Forgotten Lives: The Story of the County Clare Mother and Baby Home’.

Traditional skills were a major theme throughout the week, with demonstrations and talks on thatching, mud walling, iron smelting, blacksmithing, stone masonry, boat making, weaving, clay pot making, spinning and felting, as well as fishing, farming, food production and plant propagation methods.

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Guided tours were held in Clonlara, Kilkee, Killaloe, Lisdoonvarna, Mountshannon, Broadford, Hastings Farmhouse in Shannon, Ardnacrusha Hydro-Electric Station, Shannon Aviation Museum, Shannon Dolphin Centre, Common Knowledge in Ennistymon and many more.

The programme also included film screenings, folklore and music sessions, workshops, exhibitions, guided trails, walks and biodiversity events.

Biodiversity highlights included seaweed foraging in Quilty Beach, Spanish Point and Liscannor, whale and dolphin watching, butterfly identification in the Burren, bat walks and exhibitions and visits to the Irish seed savers heritage seed bank and gardens.

Other nature-focused events explored the Inagh river, Lickeen river catchment, the Graney river, invasive species in East Clare and a Hen Harrier talk in Kilkee. Archaeological events took centre stage in Killaloe and the Burren, while community archaeology was a popular topic at different locations throughout the county.

Nominations are now open for the National Heritage Week Awards. There are seven categories available, along with the 'County Award.' The top three entries in each category will be invited to the ceremony on October 17 at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.

The nomination process is quick and easy. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, September 9. To make a submission visit: https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards