Heritage Week in Offaly and this year, 15-23 August 2026 Offaly communities and property owners have organised at least 58 events across the county. The national theme this year is Heritage at Risk. On this we can only reflect on vulnerable historic buildings and fading cultural traditions. What steps can be taken? What planning can be done? As the CEO of the Heritage Council said ‘we can shine a light on what we stand to lose, and what we can still protect’. We can also take positive steps and prioritise. The positive steps being taken by ordinary people are exemplified in the 2026 Offaly Heritage Events Brochure, so do download a copy. There are events at Rahan Mucklagh (Rory Masterson), Lemanaghan, Killeigh, Clara, Birr, Shinrone and much more. Both Killeigh and Mucklagh have new social centres which have given back a pride in community to both ‘villages’.
Heritage at Risk and State owned
The tragedy of Durrow brought on by inertia on the part of OPW is there to see in its absence from the list of events in Heritage Week with the place closed since 2020 despite a €5 million spend. Windmills yes but Durrow and sacred landscapes no.
We send our sympathy to all in Charleville on the death of Dudley Stewart. Where would the castle be today but for their energy and perseverance over the past 38 years.
15-23 August 2026 Heritage Week. The theme is Heritage at Risk – Be sure to download your guide from the Offaly County Council website
- Saturday 15th August 2.30 p.m. – Bronte Group, at Offaly History Centre Bury Quay. Details below
- Monday 17 August 2-4 pm Open Day at Offaly History Centre with exhibitions of books on the 2026 Heritage theme and blogs for the week on the same topic. Admission free. You can see what we do in our bookshop, library, meeting hall, and the work we do every day.
- Thursday 20 August 11-1.00 & 2-4pm Open Day at Offaly History Centre with exhibitions of books on the 2026 Heritage theme and blogs for the week on the same topic. Admission free
- Friday 21st August – Sunday 23rd August inc. History in bottles Exhibition from Noel Guerin and Pat Doheny, Offaly History Centre. Admission is free. This is a fascinationg aspect of Tullamore’s history and well worth seeing.
- Saturday 22nd August 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at O’Connor Square– Wander through Tullamore with Richard Jack. Following very popular walking event last year Richard Jack will continue again this year.
Brontës: Love and Honour
Offaly History and the Banagher Brontë Group have combined to present a very special musical event in the Offaly History Centre on Saturday 15th August at 2.30 p.m. The presentation called Brontës: Love and Honour has been written by Michael and Christine O’Dowd. This is a highly original musical tribute to the celebrated 19th century Brontë family of Yorkshire, a melodic cycle of ten original studio-recorded songs. The suite of songs relates the joys and sorrows of the family in music and lyrics. Linking dialogue by the composers creates ambience and clarity. Each song will be accompanied by a lavishly illustrated video.
To help the audience enjoy the performance fully a deluxe souvenir programme with an introduction to each song along with lyrics, will be available. There is great variety in the production which includes waltz, lament, lullaby, prayer, blessing with assorted choral, instrumental and orchestral backing. Christine Patterson O’Dowd became a professional musician in 1960s performing internationally with her family The Pattersons. Herself and Michael have collaborated onmany musical projects with Michael writing the music and lyrics and Christine setting thearrangements before bringing them to studios where she and other musical and choral friendsrecorded them.
For two weeks this September, Geashill will become an artist’s studio.
Internationally recognised Finnish sculptor Jaakko Pernu will work in Geashill, creating a new permanent sculpture for Glebe Walk as part of PLANTING, a unique two-week artist residency.
This is more than the creation of a sculpture. It is an opportunity to experience the creative process as it happens. Through education, community events, conversations and public engagement, PLANTING will invite people of all ages to witness the making of a significant new artwork while celebrating creativity, community and collaboration.
Rather than simply announcing a programme of events, we’d like to invite you to follow the journey. Over the coming weeks we’ll introduce the artist, explore the ideas behind the residency, share the story of Geashill Glebe Walk, announce the public programme, and take you behind the scenes as this unique project unfolds.
Join us as Geashill welcomes an internationally recognised artist and becomes the setting for a remarkable creative journey.
Rory Masterson will be your guide
PS Thanks to all who came on the Spollanstown and Tullamore walks in July. We had 40 and 60 for the two events and both were enjoyable days.
A Nenagh event for those at the southern end of the county
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