13/08/2025
Communities Minister Launches European Heritage Open Days
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has launched the 28th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD), an annual celebration of local history and culture.
The event will take place on Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 September, offering free access to a variety of venues including historic cottages, mills, private houses, walks, and talks.
The launch took place at Riddel's Warehouse in Belfast, one of the many sites that will open its doors for the weekend. The theme for this year's event is ‘Architectural Heritage – Past Structures – Future Connections,' which focuses on linking the past and present through architecture, workshops, and talks.
Minister Lyons said the event is an opportunity for people to "visit and engage with our local heritage and try out new experiences, all of which are free." He urged the public to download the e-brochure or visit the website to plan their EHOD weekend. With over 260 venues taking part, the event provides a unique opportunity for everyone to explore the shared cultural heritage of Northern Ireland.
The event will take place on Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 September, offering free access to a variety of venues including historic cottages, mills, private houses, walks, and talks.
The launch took place at Riddel's Warehouse in Belfast, one of the many sites that will open its doors for the weekend. The theme for this year's event is ‘Architectural Heritage – Past Structures – Future Connections,' which focuses on linking the past and present through architecture, workshops, and talks.
Minister Lyons said the event is an opportunity for people to "visit and engage with our local heritage and try out new experiences, all of which are free." He urged the public to download the e-brochure or visit the website to plan their EHOD weekend. With over 260 venues taking part, the event provides a unique opportunity for everyone to explore the shared cultural heritage of Northern Ireland.
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18 August 2021
NI Heritage Buildings To Open Doors For Annual Event
Over 250 heritage buildings are set to open their doors to guests as part of the upcoming 24th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD). The event, which takes place from 06-21 September, celebrates local architecture, history and culture.
NI Heritage Buildings To Open Doors For Annual Event
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15 March 2024
Latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Opens
Northern Ireland's aspiring craftspeople have been urged to apply for the latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, which has opened for applications.
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Northern Ireland's aspiring craftspeople have been urged to apply for the latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, which has opened for applications.
07 March 2023
New Built Heritage Educational Programme Announced
The Department for Communities has announced that an innovative educational programme aimed at preserving traditional building skills needed for protecting the historical built environment has reopened for applications.
New Built Heritage Educational Programme Announced
The Department for Communities has announced that an innovative educational programme aimed at preserving traditional building skills needed for protecting the historical built environment has reopened for applications.
16 August 2024
Communities Minister Visits Historic Gracehill After UNESCO Recognition
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has visited the Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim to celebrate its recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gracehill has now joined the Moravian Church Villages World Heritage Site, alongside Herrnhut in Germany, Christiansfeld in Denmark and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, USA.
Communities Minister Visits Historic Gracehill After UNESCO Recognition
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has visited the Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim to celebrate its recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gracehill has now joined the Moravian Church Villages World Heritage Site, alongside Herrnhut in Germany, Christiansfeld in Denmark and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, USA.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.