European Heritage Open Days 2025: Explore castles, cottages and culture across Northern Ireland

The 28th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) take place this weekend, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, with more than 260 venues across Northern Ireland opening their doors for free.

From castles and cottages to hidden workshops and private houses, the festival provides a rare chance to explore Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage.

This year’s theme, “Architectural Heritage – Past Structures – Future Connections”, focuses on how historic buildings and traditions shape our communities today.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launched the programme at Belfast’s Riddel’s Warehouse.

“European Heritage Open Days are an opportunity to visit and engage with our local heritage and try out new experiences, all of which are free. This year, I launched EHOD on a visit to the amazing Riddel’s Warehouse in Belfast, one of the many places you can visit in September.

“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 featuring architecture, workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks and activities, with something to interest everyone, young and old.

“The European Heritage Open Days initiative has grown in scope and scale, and its continued success is due to the efforts of a wide range of communities and individuals which help deliver a mainly volunteer-led programme. The open days are for everyone and I would urge people to download the e-brochure or visit the app and website to plan out your European Heritage Open Days weekend experience.”

Northern Ireland highlights

Among the attractions are:

• Tours of Belfast Castle

• A behind-the-scenes look at the Department for Communities’ Conservation Works Depot in Moira

• Guided tours of the 18th-century Primate’s Palace in Armagh

• An open day at St John’s Point Lightkeepers’ Houses, Co Down

• A walking tour of Ebrington Barracks in Derry with Manus Deery, Principal Conservation Architect

Mid & East Antrim: Local highlights

Heritage venues across Ballymena, Gracehill, Cullybackey, Broughshane, Glenarm and Whitehead are offering visitors the chance to discover hidden stories, explore rarely opened buildings and enjoy traditional experiences.

Gracehill Moravian Village – World Heritage Anniversary Celebrations

Gracehill, Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO World Heritage site and first Conservation Area, will mark the first anniversary of its World Heritage inscription with a weekend of celebrations.

• Friday 12 September, 7.30pm – Gracehill Old School

  
  

  Launch of Gracehill Village History by Rob Christie, with Bishop Sarah Groves. Everyone welcome. Refreshments afterwards.

• Saturday 13 September, 12pm–4.30pm – Gracehill Village

  
  

  Heritage Open Day with guided tours of the historic settlement, including the Moravian Church, the Old Shop, and the former Single Brethren House.

  
  

  Gracehill Moravian Church

  (25 Church Road, BT42 2NL)

  Saturday, 12pm–5pm

  
  

  Completed in 1765, the church features an historic organ and an unusual tulip pulpit. Talks will take place hourly.

  
  

  Gracehill Old Shop

  (6 Montgomery Street, BT42 2NN)

  Saturday, 12pm–5pm

  
  

  Learn about Gracehill’s historic postal links to the US, explore original shelving and counters, and see the attic hoist wheel.

  
  

  Gracehill Single Brethren House

  (8 Montgomery Street, BT42 2NN)

  Saturday, 12pm–5pm

  
  

  Built in 1819, this four-storey basalt house once accommodated unmarried men, a school and a bank. Guided tours run on the hour.

• Sunday 14 September, 2pm–4pm – Gracehill Square

  
  

  A World Heritage Community Celebration Picnic with music from the Antrim and Derry Fiddlers. Part of the Summer Serenades series with Mid & East Antrim Borough Council. (Church Hall if wet.)

Other local venues

Galgorm Cottage

(23–25 Fenaghy Road, BT42 1HW)

Saturday, 11.30am–3pm

Thatched cottages from the late 1600s, including one used as a police station in 1724. Visitors can view the preserved police cell beneath the cottage. No booking required.

Arthur Cottage, Cullybackey

(21 Dreen Road, BT42 1EB)

Saturday & Sunday, 11am–3pm Experience soda bread baking over a turf fire, hear traditional stories, and enjoy the atmosphere of this carefully restored thatched cottage. No booking required.

St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena

(Castle Street, BT43 7BT)

Saturday, 10am–4pm; Sunday, 2pm–4pm

Guided tours of the parish church and old churchyard, led by a professional local guide. No booking required.

Craigs Parish Church, Cullybackey

(104 Hillmount Road, BT42 1NZ)

Saturday & Sunday, 11am–4pm

Designed by Charles Lanyon in 1841, this church features famine graves, a Commonwealth war grave, and memorials to a Military Cross hero. Filming location for Derry Girls and Three Families. No booking required.

Broughshane Museum

(70 Main Street, BT42 4JW)

Saturday, 11am–3pm; Sunday, 1pm–4pm

Collection of more than 8,000 everyday objects, from farming tools to kitchenware. No booking required.

Willow and Lore Heritage Farm

(15A Craigdunloof Road, BT43 6RQ)

Saturday & Sunday, 9.30am–5pm

A working heritage farm offering hands-on traditional farming, crafts and skills, alongside wellness and nature-based activities.

Booking is essential. Sessions:

• Sat 13 Sept: 9.30–11.30am & 11.30am–1.30pm

• Sun 14 Sept: 9.30–11.30am & 11.30am–1.30pm

  
  

  Book at: willowandlore.co.uk/events

Barbican Gatelodge, Glenarm

(Castle Street, BT44 0AT)

Sunday, 10am–4pm

Explore this miniature medieval-style castle, once the gateway to Glenarm Castle Estate. Rooftop views over the village and sea. Free, self-guided. No booking required.

Whitehead Railway Museum

(22 Castleview Road, BT38 9NA)

Saturday, 10.30am–2.30pm

Pull the levers in a signal box, see steam locomotives up close, and step into historic carriages once used by royalty and presidents. Free entry for EHOD. No booking required.

Planning your visit

A full programme is available via the EHOD digital brochure and interactive WebApp. While all events are free, some require booking (such as Willow and Lore Heritage Farm).

For further details, visit Discover NI or follow @loveheritageni on X, Facebook and Instagram.