Cork well represented at heritage awards
Five Cork heritage events have secured places on a shortlist for a national award.
The Heritage Council’s National Heritage Week Awards celebrate the most engaging projects and events organised by National Heritage Week organisers, bringing together the best initiatives from across the country. The shortlisted projects in Cork span a range of categories, reflecting the breadth of the county’s contribution to this year’s programme.
Shortlisted events from Cork and their categories are:
· Mealagh Valley Heritage Day from the Mealagh Valley Heritage Keepers is nominated for the ‘Inclusive Award’. This is awarded to an event that made a special effort to ensure heritage was shared with everyone in the community. This includes newcomers to heritage, those without local roots, people with additional accessibility needs, and participants across a wide range of age groups
· A.K. ILEN, Ireland's last wooden ocean-going ship from Sailing Into Wellness is nominated for the ‘Exploring Our Foundations Award’. This is presented to an event that made a special effort to incorporate the 2025 National Heritage Week theme, Exploring Our Foundations. Events in this category encouraged attendees to delve into the building blocks of our heritage, uncovering not only the physical structures that surround us but also the cultural and natural elements that have shaped our communities over time
· Celebrating Irish Road Bowling at Ballyvolane House nominated for the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Award. The award celebrates events and projects that encouraged greater appreciation of Ireland’s intangible cultural heritage, such as crafts, skills, customs and practices passed down through generations
· Foraging from Land to Sea on Bere Island from the Bere Island Projects Group CLG is nominated for the Sustainability & Climate Award. This award recognises events that incorporated environmentally friendly practices to reduce carbon footprint and limit impact on the natural world
· Paddling the Past - A heritage kayak tour of the River Bride from the Conna Community Council is nominated for the Water Heritage Award. This is awarded in conjunction with the Local Authority Waters Programme and recognises events held on Water Heritage Day, 24 August. Events will have explored how rivers, canals, lakes or the sea shaped the heritage of a locality, or celebrated water as an integral and vital part of Ireland’s natural heritage.
The Heritage Council also presents a County Award in each local authority area. This award recognises the best event or project in Co. Cork and Cork city and is based on how well it raised awareness about an element of heritage, how it was promoted, and the extent to which it engaged and involved the community.
This year’s National Heritage Week was the biggest and best yet, with over 2,500 events registered and 400,000 people taking part in family-friendly activities that celebrate Ireland’s built, cultural, and natural heritage. Cork county hosted 182 events during National Heritage Week, while Cork city contributed a further 129, highlighting the county’s major role in this year’s celebrations.
Cork has a proud history of success at the Heritage Week Awards. In 2024, Ireland’s Fossil Heritage Fossil Walk won the Cork City County Award, while the Travelling Tales project from the Cork Traveller Women’s Network received the national Inclusive Event Award.
Cork City Council Heritage Officer, Niamh Twomey said “Cork City is proud to have hosted over 129 events during National Heritage Week 2025. This year’s programme reflected the creativity, dedication, and collaboration of local groups and individuals, who brought our history, culture, and natural heritage to life in meaningful and accessible ways.
“The strong presence of Cork events on the national shortlist is a testament to that commitment and to the pride we all share in preserving and promoting our heritage for future generations.”
Cork County Council Heritage Officer, Conor Neligan said: “Once again, Cork has outdone itself with its high standard of National Heritage Week events, and this can be seen through the outcome of the National Heritage Awards. All the events helped to bring creativity and connection to our community and showcased how much we value our shared heritage.
“The variety of events was astounding, and I am impressed with all the groups that were involved in their organisation. Five events in Co. Cork made it to the shortlist, each of them unique and meaningful in their own way.”
Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said: “The Heritage Council is delighted to see so many outstanding events to consider for this year’s National Heritage Week Awards. With over 2,500 events registered, the largest number in our history, shortlisting was an exciting but truly challenging task. The awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the creativity, dedication, and hard work of communities across Ireland who bring our shared heritage to life.
“Each shortlisted event reflects the passion, pride, and commitment people have for their local heritage, and the Heritage Council is honoured to support and showcase these remarkable efforts.”