European Heritage Open Day (EHOD) Northern Ireland 2025 sees 260 historic venues open their doors this weekend
This weekend sees 260 historic buildings and locations across Northern Ireland open their doors – thanks to European Heritage Open Days.
The 28th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) take place on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September, giving the public the chance to visit a variety of venues and events including historic cottages, mills, private houses, walks and talks - all for free.
The EHOD theme this year is ‘Architectural Heritage – Past Structures – Future Connections’, which focuses on bringing together the past and present through this heritage festival.
There are over 260 venues taking part. Highlights this year include;-
:: A tour of Belfast Castle;
:: Behind the scenes at the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division Conservation Works Depot in Moira;
:: Tour of the Primate’s Palace, Armagh, a beautiful neo-classical building dating from 18th century;
:: Open Day at St. John's Point Lightkeepers' Houses in Co. Down;
:: A walking tour of Ebrington Barracks with Department for Communities' Principal Conservation Architect Manus Deery.
A flavour of other venues are;-
:: Willow and Lore traditional heritage farm near Ballymena;
:: Lisburn Cathedral and its links to the American war of Independence, the siege of Delhi, and the 1920 burning of Lisburn;
:: Navan Centre & Fort, the ancient seat of Irish kings;
:: Carnegie Oldpark Library on the North Belfast Heritage Trail;
:: Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Orange Hall, initially known as West Belfast Orange Hall;
:: Meeting members of the Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society at Belfast's Old Museum.
Download a brochure at www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/european-heritage-open-days or download the EHOD 2025 App.
Some events require pre-booking at: https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/arts-culture-and-heritage/european-heritage-open-days