European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) will take place from 5- 11 September.
As part of Northern Ireland’s contribution to the European Heritage Days, this September more than 200 of Northern Ireland’s historic buildings and monuments, landmarks and hidden gems will open offering free entry with many activities for you to enjoy.
There is a packed programme of virtual and open door in person events and activities ranging from guided tours and walks to talks and lectures, from living history re-enactors to community fun days, from musical events to screenings to brand new places to visit, there is something for everyone!
The 2022 theme “Sustainable Heritage: Learn Use Enjoy” encourages us to consider the environment and its impact on our heritage, how we conserve our built and cultural heritage to develop a more sustainable future. It also provokes us to value the natural world and landscapes around us; climate change impacts every part of our lives and we all have a responsibility. There are a number of organised events highlighting our theme. There is much to discover about our sustainable heritage!
Do I need to book?
To ensure events remain safe, some of the in-person events this year will require pre-booking. Details on how to book for individual events can be found on each listing that requires booking. Listings can be found below and on the European Heritage Open Days App.
Venue Listings:
- The Argory for EHOD 2022, Dungannon
Free flow self-guided tours of the house (with room guides manning the showrooms).
September 10, 2022 | Open 11:00 – 17:00
- Ballinderry War Memorial Hall EHOD 2022, Upper Ballinderry
A war memorial for the community of Ballinderry, the foundation stone was laid on Saturday July 5, 1924 and had been part of a stone from the local church.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10.00 – 16:00
- Coalisland Museum & Heritage Centre for EHOD 2022, Coalisland
Coalisland Museum & Heritage Centre introduces the remarkable history of this unique region.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 13:00 – 16:00
- St Aidan’s Parish Church EHOD 2022, Armagh
St Aidan’s Parish Church, Salters Grange is the work of Architect Thomas Cooley and is built on a site given by Sir Capel Molyneux of Castledillon and funded by Archbishop Richard Robinson, First Baron Rokeby for whom he produced a pattern book of ten church designs.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Astro Eco Park Tour EHOD 2022, Armagh
The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is located on 14 acres of land.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 17:00
- The Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum for EHOD 2022, Armagh
The museum is located in “Sovereigns House” on the Mall in the heart of the city.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:00
- McCrum Grave EHOD 2022, Armagh
Come and see the McCrum family grave of the McCrum family of Milford House.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:30 – 16:00
- Newry and Mourne Museum Bagenal’s Castle for EHOD 2022, Newry
Newry and Mourne Museum is housed at Bagenal’s Castle, a 16-century fortified house. Guided tour and free live music event.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:30
- Markethill Old Courthouse EHOD 2022, Markethill
Built in 1842 by Thomas Duff, one of the few surviving large regional free standing courthouses.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Clonfeacle Parish Church (St. Patrick’s) Benburb for EHOD 2022, Benburb
Clonfeacle Parish Church (St Patrick’s) Benburb is a Plantation church dating from 1618. It is one of the oldest churches in the Diocese of Armagh still in regular use. Visitors self-guide using the information panels provided.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Milford House EHOD 2022, Armagh
Milford House is the home of the extraordinary McCrum family, one of Ulster’s leading linen manufacturing families.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Open Day at Tullymurry House for EHOD 2022, Newry
Visitors have the opportunity to see the conservation work of Irish Landmark Trust while enjoying a tour of this restored country house.
September 11, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:00
- Armagh County Museum EHOD 2022, Armagh
Situated on the tree lined Mall the museum opened in 1937 as Ireland’s first County Museum.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:00
- St. Patrick’s COI Cathedral for EHOD 2022, Armagh
Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral has a spacious early 19th Century interior, the latest of many renovations of Archbishop O’Scanlan’s cathedral of 1268, on the site of St Patrick’s ‘Great Stone Church’ of 445.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 17:00
- Benburb Priory and Benburb Castle Open Day EHOD 2022, Benburb
Opened in 1997 and opening again in 2022 is Benburb Priory and Benburb Castle. A great day with living history characters to engage with you and tell you the history of the castle.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:00
- Museum of Orange Heritage at Sloan’s House EHOD 2022, Loughgall
Enjoy a self guided tour at your leisure or book a guided tour at 10.30, 12.30 or 14.30 at this small house that played a large part in history.
September 10, 2022 | Various opening times
- Seagoe Parish Church EHOD 2022, Portadown
The original St Gobhan’s church in Seagoe Cemetery is thought to date from 504 AD and is undoubtedly one of the most ancient Christian settlements in Ireland.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- No 5 Vicars’ Hill EHOD 2022, Armagh
No 5 Vicars’ Hill was built in 1772, as Armagh’s Diocesan Registry.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Ardress House EHOD 2022, Portadown
Free flow self-guided tours of the house (with room guides manning the showrooms) on Saturday September 10.
September 10, 2022 | Open 11:00 – 17:00
- Dan Winter’s House EHOD 2022, Loughgall
Dan Winter’s House, a 300 year old listed building, home of the Winter family since 1698.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Caledon Wool Store for EHOD 2022, Caledon
Caledon Regeneration Partnership and Caledon Estates have converted the 19th century wool store in the mill village and Conservation Area into a childcare facility, helping to keep the local primary school open as a result.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 14:00
- Milford Village EHOD 2022, Milford
Milford Village is a model village built around the famous linen manufacturing firm McCrum, Watson & Mercer. Take a self guided walk around this beautiful village.
September 10 – 11 | Open 09:00 – 18:00
- Archaeology at Navan Fort EHOD 2022, Armagh
Come and hear Dr Patrick Gleeson talk about recent excavations at this historically significant site.
September 10, 2022 | Open 15:00 – 16:00
- Caledon Mill Beam Engine EHOD 2022, Caledon
The Caledon Beam Engine, an impressive example of Ireland’s industrial archaeology, is unique in the sense that it is the last remaining housed beam engine in Ireland and thus of immense historical importance.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 14:00
- St. Luke’s Parish Church, Mullaglass EHOD 2022, Newry
Take a self guided tour through this unusual barn shaped Grade B+ listed Church of Ireland, built in 1833.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:00
- Northern Ireland Secret Bunker EHOD 2022, Portadown
15ft below a field on the outskirts of Portadown lies a relic of the Cold War.
September 10, 2022 | Open 11:00 – 17:00
- Armagh Robinson Library EHOD 2022, Armagh
Armagh Robinson Library celebrated its 250th anniversary last year, having been built to the design of architect, Thomas Cooley, and founded by Archbishop Richard Robinson.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Various opening times
- Brownlow House EHOD 2022, Lurgan
Brownlow House is a grade A listed Building and it dominates the skyline on the edge of the beautiful Lurgan Park. Built in an age of Grandeur for the 1st Baron Lord Lurgan Charles Brownlow.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 15:30
- Tyrone Crafted Glass EHOD 2022, Coalisland
Tyrone Crafted Glass celebrate the legacy of the famous Tyrone Crystal factory which closed in 2010.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 12:00 – 15:00
- Sheils’ Houses EHOD 2022, Armagh
Charles Sheils’ Houses are situated in mature private grounds overlooking the Royal School and the historical city of Armagh.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 17:00
- St. Matthew’s Church EHOD 2022, Richhill
The Church building was initially Richhill’s Linen Market house erected in 1753 and later converted to a chapel of ease and consecrated as the Church of St Matthew on September 14, 1837.
September 10, 2022 | Open 10:30 – 16:00
- The Navan Centre & Fort EHOD 2022, Armagh
Immerse yourself in life 2000 years ago with a visit to the Navan Centre & Fort.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 15:00 – 17:00
- Maginn’s Cornmill EHOD 2022, Newry
We would like the visitors to be able to see the whole complex. The Mill, The Kiln, The Mill Race & Mill Pond.
September 10 – 11, 2022 | Open 10:00 – 16:00
For full listings across Northern Ireland click here and for queries about the European Heritage Open Days programme of events please email ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk.
