Cork City Libraries National Heritage Week
Cork City Libraries is proud to support National Heritage Week 2026, with all 10 library branches participating in a vibrant programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops, readings, music and family events. This year's theme, Heritage at Risk, encourages us to reflect on the traditions, stories, skills and places that are under threat, and to consider how we can preserve and share them for future generations.
The programme highlights Cork's rich cultural, social and environmental heritage through a wide range of events and activities. Highlights include the launch of Growing Our Own: Unearthing Cork's Garden Culture, exploring the history of Cork's market gardens, seed saving traditions, and the role of community growing projects in supporting biodiversity today. Talks throughout the week explore subjects such as Cork's Athenaeum, Cork's Huguenot heritage, the bridges of Ballincollig, and themes of conservation, migration, identity and belonging. Partnerships with organisations including Crawford Art Gallery further enrich the programme and demonstrate the continuing relevance of heritage in contemporary life.
Creative engagement is at the heart of this year's programme, with workshops exploring traditional crafts such as felting, harvest customs and seasonal rituals, alongside poetry, storytelling, music, sean-nós and traditional song. Children's events, genealogy talks and book launches offer opportunities for all ages to connect with the past. A particular highlight is the launch of Blúirí Oileánda – Island Pieces by Diarmuid Ó Drisceoil, a beautifully illustrated bilingual publication exploring the social history and cultural heritage of Cape Clear Island.
Across the city, visitors can also enjoy exhibitions on topics ranging from Cork's market garden tradition, local theatre history and community crafts to Rory Gallagher, Mary Elmes, All Saints Cemetery and the history of Cork City Libraries. Together, these events celebrate the many ways heritage is preserved through memory, creativity, community participation and shared experience.
Through this citywide programme, Cork City Libraries aims to inspire people of all ages to discover, value and safeguard the cultural, built and natural heritage that shapes our communities and our sense of place.
Full listings of all events taking place in Cork City Libraries is on National Heritage Week Website
The programme is also listed on the Cork City Libraries Website Cork City Libraries Heritage Week Programme of Events