Heritage Week 2026

Celebrating Ireland's cultural, built and natural heritage.

We are delighted to announce a series of fascinating demonstrations at Craggaunowen in celebration of National Heritage Week 2026, August 15th to 23rd.

Sound Therapy From The Ages

Sound therapy is an ancient, cross-cultural practice that uses vibrational frequencies and music to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote healing.

The practice merges thousands of years of traditional, indigenous acoustic rituals. Our facilitator, Arno possesses deep knowledge of musical history, spanning from the earliest frame drums to medieval bagpipes and the ancient art of throat singing. Come and explore the story of sound with him.

Date: August 15th to 18th, and 23rd
Time: 10 am to 12.30pm & 1pm to 5pm

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Leather Work Demonstration

Leather work has a rich history spanning over 7,000 years, evolving from basic survival tools to intricate art forms and essential items in various cultures.

Arno will demonstrate how leatherworking was a cornerstone of daily life and urban economies. Artisans used plant-based tannins like oak bark to process hides, transforming them into footwear, armour, book bindings, and household goods. This essential craft supported everything from agriculture to warfare.

When: August 21st & 22nd
Time: 10am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 5pm

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Life of a Medieval Blacksmith

Tony, the ringfort's blacksmith, is a craftsman of renown. His forge breathes life into metal, crafting both the tools that build the community and the weapons that defend it.

From intricate jewelry to gleaming blades, Tony's mastery is a cornerstone of the ringfort's resilience. From hammers to adzes, spears to axes, and even fine jewelry, there is always something taking shape on the anvil. Come and meet Tony and discover this ancient art and what intricate task he is working on.

When: August 15th to 17th
Time: 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm

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Building & Use of a Ceramic Kiln

Listen to a fascinating talk about our project to reconstruct a 14th century ceramics kiln.

Based on archeology from several sites in Ireland specifically the highways pottery sites in Kilkenny and sites in Carrickfergus and DownPatrick.

The talk will also touch upon ceramics usage in the wider context as well as production methods and metal oxide glazes.

When: August 15th to 17th
Time: 2pm to 3pm

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Explore the Ogham Trail

Explore the Sacred Ogham trail, where you can find some of the more subtle features of Craggaunowen relating to burial, faith and spirituality.

There are many ogham stones available for decoding on this trail and a chance to look back into neolithic times up until early Irish Christianity from the Dolmen to the mass rock.

Did you know that back in ancient times, using ogham writing, poets would burn their poetry into sticks know as poetry staves. Once they had learnt the poem, they would burn the stave in the fire thus cementing the poem magically into the brain.

When: August 16th to 20th
Time: 12pm to 1pm

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Pendant Making Workshop

Join Stefan for a wonderfully informal workshop to create your very own pendant from Ogham clay.

This hands on activity explores Ireland’s ancient Ogham script while shaping and designing unique clay pieces to take home. In ancient times, poets practiced oghamic script by carving poetry on staves.

In this way, they were able to learn poetry and code information into Ogham. The staves would be destroyed in fires, so no one could steal them and break the code themselves.

When: August 16th to 20th
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm

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Life of an Iron Age Wood Turner

Seán the Wood Turner, a mainstay of the ringfort, brings the forest to life.

His mobile workshop hums with activity, crafting essential tools and repairing well-worn favorites, all using the rich woods of the surrounding lands.

Working with the pole lathe, Seán shapes spinning bowls and crafts sturdy tool handles, his skill ensuring the ringfort thrives.

When: August 18th to 23rd
Time: 10am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 5pm

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Lighting of the Fulacht Fiadh

You will learn how food was made during the Iron Age with the use of a Fulacht Fia, which consisted of a dug-out rectangular hole, lined with wood, filled with water and heated by hot stones.

The meat was then wrapped and added to the hot water to cook it. Venison will be used for this inciteful demonstration.

If you're feeling peckish, visitors may enjoy an optional open air BBQ in the unique setting of the Ringfort.

When: August 23rd
Time: 10am to 5pm

*Weather Dependent

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Ancient Mythology & Storytelling

Join Stefan as he presents interactive Irish Mythology through The Book of Invasions, with the help of cue cards for the participating audience members. This way, everyone gets to play a legendary character!

Within the Crannóg walls, Stefan serves as more than just a chief. He is a wellspring of Gaelic culture. His calloused hands etch stories of Irish myth into wood, preserving the ancient Ogham script for future generations. Stefan's knowledge extends beyond language, encompassing traditional games like Skittles and lively discussions about the rich tapestry of Gaelic lore. He ensures the traditions of his people not only survive but thrive within the heart of the Crannóg.

When: August 23rd
Time: 12pm to 1pm & 3pm to 4pm

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