North Mayo is all set for a wide range of events taking place for National Heritage Week 2025. This years theme is Exploring our Foundations and The theme invites us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us. Heritage week commences on Saturday 16th August and runs until Sunday 24th August.
In-person event and digital project organisers have responded with enthusiasm to this year’s theme. You are invited to explore the traditions and practices, knowledge and skills passed down through generations. National Heritage Week creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds from across Mayo to learn more about the county’s built, cultural, and natural heritage, helping to ensure its preservation and protection into the future. Don’t miss a moment of Heritage Week, everything’s free and open to all.
Events happening in North Mayo from this year’s National Heritage Week programme:
August 16th
- Dancing and Boxty at the Crossroads
Wild Nephin National Park • 1 pm – 4 pm
Join traditional music, dancing, and boxty-making outdoors at the Letterkeen Bothy Car Park. Fun for all ages!
- Ceide Fields Visitor Centre – Free entrance on August 16th
Glenurla, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, F26 PF66
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to explore again, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the history, landscape, and stories of the oldest known field systems in the world.
August 17th
- Organic Garden Open Day
North Mayo Heritage Centre, Enniscoe (Castlehill, Ballina) • 11 am – 4 pm
Explore one of Ireland’s oldest organic gardens and discover three decades of sustainable gardening history.
August 19th
- Foundations in Communities: What Does Michael Davitt Mean to Me?
Michael Davitt Museum, Straide • 11 am – 2 pm
A creative and community-focused event exploring Davitt’s enduring legacy in Ireland.
August 20th
- Exploring Our Foundations
Michael Davitt Museum, Straide • 1 pm – 2 pm
A guided insight into Davitt’s important role in land rights and Irish identity.
- Community Constellations for Dark Skies
National Museum – Turlough Park • 4 pm – 7 pm
Celebrate Mayo’s dark‑sky heritage with live music and a drop-in lantern-making workshop by artist Tom Meskell.
August 21st
- The Power of Archives
Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina • 11 am – 12:30 pm
Discover the impact of personal and national archives through rare materials and storytelling.
- Open Day at the Sisters of Mercy Convent
McDermott Street, Ballina • 6 pm – 9 pm
An evening exploring the history of this iconic local institution.
August 22nd
- Fr. Peyton Centre Open Day Film & Gardens
Father Peyton Centre, Attymass • 9:30am – 5pm
Watch a film (25 minutes) about the life of Attymass born Fr Patrick Peyton
August 23rd
- Cuimsiú Session at the Jackie Clarke Heritage Garden
Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina • 3 pm – 4:30 pm
A laid-back afternoon of storytelling, music, and heritage in the garden setting.
- Spin & Weave: Reviving Ancient Threads
Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle • 10 am – 4 pm
Live demonstrations of spinning and weaving celebrating textile traditions. - Echoes from North Mayo: Forgotten Voices (Online Exhibition)
St. Cormac’s Society – www.stcormac.ie • 7 am – 11:45 pm
An online showcase of local oral histories and folklore from Knockacullen and Garranard. - A Living History of the Inishkea Islands
SOLAS Visitor Centre, Eachléim • 7 pm – 9 pm
Delve into the cultural heritage of the Inishkea Islands through history and storytelling. - A Celebration of Turlough Tales
National Museum – Turlough Park • 7 pm – 8 pm
Updates on the Turlough Heritage Action Plan and insights into new local heritage initiatives.
August 24th
- Gold Panning and Family Fun Day
Céide Fields Visitor Centre, Ballycastle • 11 am – 4:30 pm
Pan for gold and enjoy family activities in a spectacular heritage landscape.
- Basket Weaving with Ould Crafty (Tom Delaney)
National Museum – Turlough Park • 1 pm – 4 pm
See traditional basket-weaving techniques using locally grown willow.
Turlough Park
- Woodturning with Eoin Reardon
National Museum – Turlough Park • 1 pm – 4 pm
Traditional hand-tool woodworking demonstrations showcasing sustainable craft.
- Home to Erris – The Rambling House
Meeting at Bangor NS (11:30 am) or Ballycroy Visitor Centre (12 pm) • 1 pm – 4 pm
A traveling celebration of songs, stories, and local character, coming to Erris for one afternoon.
- Echoes from North Mayo: Forgotten Voices (Online Exhibition)
Continues at www.stcormac.ie until 11:45 pm
As well as the above, why not also enjoy Heritage days at summer festivals such as: Belmullet and Geesala Festivals.
Click on the events above for dates and details. For a full list of events taking place in Mayo, the Heritage Council is encouraging people to visit www.heritageweek.ie.
