Cork set to shine during Heritage Week

Heritage Week 2026 is almost here and as always, both Cork city and county are going to be absolutely brimming with free, community-led events reminding us just how special our (rather generous) slice of Ireland really is.

With over 200 unique events taking place throughout the Rebel County between 15 and 23 August, there will be no avoiding this wonderful annual celebration of our built, natural, and cultural heritage.

All events are listed with detailed information on the very easy to use heritageweek.ie website. Just make sure to type 'Cork' into the search bar and away you go.

In the meantime, here are a few examples of the kinds of brilliant events Cork Heritage Week has in store, but remember, it really is just the tip of the iceberg.

A walk through Cork city's geological history: 15 August, 12-2.30pm, Cork City Hall

A fascinating 3km guided tour through key geological sites in Cork city learning about how Cork’s landscapes were formed. Along the way, walkers will learn about what lies beneath the city, catching a rare glimpse into a distant past that exists right under their feet. All going to plan, by the time the tour wraps up at Shandon Bells, participants will see the city in a whole new way.

The story of Blarney Woollen Mills: 15 August, 10-11am, Blarney Woollen Mills

All are invited to Blarney Woollen Mills for a guided heritage talk exploring more than two centuries of textile, industrial, and community history. The event will begin at 10am at the Thatched Cottage. The talk will trace the story from Timothy Mahony’s first woollen mill in Glanmire in 1750 to the opening of the larger Blarney mill by Martin Mahony in 1823. Visitors will learn how local wool was dyed, spun and woven, how the mill supported generations of local families. The talk will also cover the major fire of 1869, the rebuilding of the mill using local sandstone, and the role of the Blarney community in its recovery.

Sean nós workshop: 15 and 22 August, 11-11.45am, Cork City Library

One of Ireland’s most beautiful and untouched traditions, sean nós singing is said to date back to medieval times, and acclaimed sean nós singer and teacher, Sorcha de Róiste wants to share it with Cork. She will host two intimate workshops in the Rory Gallagher Music Library at Cork City Library, one on each Saturday of Heritage Week. To book a place, email music_library@corkcity.ie.

Exploring the soul and science of a native woodland in the Blackwater Valley: 16 August, 12-4pm

This walk follows a stream flowing down from the Nagle Mountains to the River Blackwater through a valley in Philip's Woods, known as Gleann na nDibergach (The Glen of the Outlaws), first mentioned in the fifteenth century manuscript, the ‘Book of Lismore’. It is a continuation of exploration by INTO heritage specialist, Ted Cook, and geographer, Diarmuid Crowley arising from a guided walk in the same location during Heritage Week 2024. The walk is conceived of as an invitation to tune into the complexity and wonder of the region in line with Heritage Week 2026’s overarching theme, ‘Heritage at Risk’. Attendees should bring suitable footwear and a packed lunch.

A day in the life of a Georgian lady: 18 August, 11am-12pm, Cork Civic Trust House

For this unique event, dress and social historian, Dr Melissa Shiels will showcase the clothing changes that a Georgian lady of the 1780s undertook for her various activities on any given day. The talk highlights the hair and beauty regime of a Georgian lady, the underpinnings she wore, her active wear for exercise, for visiting and dining, and for the most opulent of occasions - going to the ball. The various activities and crafts with which a lady filled her day will be explored and the talk will finish with a demonstration of 18th century tea etiquette!

Pre-booking essential for this one due to limited seating. Contact corkigs@gmail.com or 087-9266826 to reserve a place.

Stories from a safe harbour - oral history of Camden Fort Meagher: 20 August, 2-3pm, Crosshaven

An event offering a rare opportunity to hear first-hand stories of life in Camden Fort Meagher from the work-in-progress oral history project. The project aims to record, preserve, and share the fort’s history through the spoken testimony of those who lived, worked, trained, and passed through there over the years up until 1989 when it was retired from military use. Anyone with stories, memories, or first-hand experiences of the fort are invited to share their story in person on the day. In addition, people are encouraged to bring any photographs or memorabilia from the fort along to the event. To attend the event, visitors must have paid admission into the fort.

Time, clocks, and clockmakers in Cork: 22 August, 12-1pm, Cork City Library

This event really epitomises what Heritage Week is all about: a deep dive into a subject that often goes under the radar but is such an important part of Cork’s cultural fabric. Attendees will hear all about Shandon Clock, known locally as the Four Faced Liar due to its four clocks historically rarely, if ever, showing the same time. They will also learn about Mangan’s Pillar Clock on St Patrick’s Street, the city's mysterious anti-clockwise clock, and much more, as well as learning about the lives of those who crafted and maintained these instruments of time. Did you know that Cork once had its own time zone?

For a full and comprehensive programme of all events taking place in Cork for Heritage Week 2026, visit heritageweek.ie and search 'Cork'. Specific details including booking information are listed with each individual event.