More then 300 heritage events took place

Nominations are now open for the 2025 National Heritage Week Awards.

Communities, organisations, and individuals across Cork city and council are invited to submit nominations to recognise the most engaging projects and events presented during National Heritage Week.

This year’s National Heritage Week was, the Heritage Council said, the biggest yet with more than 2,500 events registered and 400,000 people taking part in family-friendly activities that celebrate Ireland’s built, cultural, and natural heritage. In Cork county there were 182 events and Cork city hosted 129 events this year.

The Heritage Council presents a County Award in each local authority area. This award recognises the best event or project 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.

The County Award ensures that outstanding heritage work at local level is recognised and celebrated alongside national achievements.

Last year, the Cork City Fossil Walk by Ireland’s Fossil Heritage received the County Award for Cork City, while Touch Tanks at Lough Hyne from the Skibbereen Heritage Centre won the County Award for County Cork. In 2024, Travelling Tales from Cork Traveller Women's Network won the national Inclusive Event award.

In additional to the County Award, the 2025 National Heritage Week Awards feature a wide range of national categories, reflecting the diversity of heritage across Ireland.

Categories include:

· 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 should encourage 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.

· Wild Child Event Award – This recognises events that took place on Wild Child Day, 23 August 2025, which successfully encouraged children and families to get outdoors and discover the richness of natural heritage and biodiversity in their local area.

· Water Heritage Award – This is awarded in conjunction with the Local Authority Waters Programme and recognises events held on Water Heritage Day, 24 August 2025. Eligible 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.

· Inclusive Heritage 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.

· Irish Language Award – The award is presented to an event that was delivered through Irish and/or encouraged active participation in the Irish language as part of National Heritage Week.

· Sustainability and Climate Award – It recognises events that incorporated environmentally friendly practices to reduce carbon footprint and limit impact on the natural world.

· Intangible Cultural Heritage Award – The Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Award – This 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.

Nominations are also open for the prestigious Heritage Hero Award, which honours an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding, long-term contribution to the protection and promotion of Ireland’s heritage. Unlike the other categories, this award is based solely on public nominations and is considered a lifetime achievement award.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said: “The National Heritage Week Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise the remarkable work of communities and individuals who bring our heritage to life. Year after year, we are inspired by the creativity, generosity and dedication shown by organisers across the country. These awards allow us to celebrate that spirit and to highlight the people and projects that inspire future generations to become custodians of our shared heritage. I encourage everyone to get involved and make a nomination.”

Cork City Council Heritage Officer, Niamh Twomey, said: “National Heritage Week in Cork City once again demonstrated the creativity and energy of local groups and individuals. From exploring our natural history to celebrating our built environment, the events organised here show the unique ways in which communities connect with and share our heritage. The National Heritage Week Awards are a chance to highlight that achievement and to recognise the passion and commitment of those who make heritage accessible to all.”

Cork County Council Heritage Officer, Conor Neligan, said: “Across Cork County, Heritage Week was a vibrant celebration of the stories, traditions and places that bind our communities together. The dedication shown by local organisers, from coastal villages to inland towns, ensures that our heritage is alive and thriving. The National Heritage Week Awards allows us to acknowledge this important work and to celebrate the creativity and community spirit that define heritage in Cork.”

Nominations close at midnight on Thursday 11 Sept and the winners will be announced at the National Heritage Week Awards Ceremony on Friday 17 October at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.