OPW announces exciting bank holiday events at OPW locations nationwide

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to welcome a series of events taking place at OPW locations across the country this August Bank Holiday. From family friendly trails, farmer markets to art exhibitions and history tours there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Start the weekend with a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session with Christine in the picturesque Annes Grove Gardens, Co. Cork. This beautiful setting offers the perfect opportunity to breathe, stretch, and reconnect with nature.

Families can enjoy a detective and nature trail fun at Ennis Friary, Co. Clare with activities designed for children aged between 5 and 12. At Charles Fort Military Fortress, Co. Cork meet ‘Oscar the Octopus’ as he settles in for his summer holidays. Little visitors can explore the summer trail and find the hidden tags dotted around the fort. Explore Scattery Island, Co. Clare, on the Shannon estuary where our OPW guides will share stories of monks, vikings, river pilots and a sea monsters, who once lived here. Visitors can also look out for rare wildlife, enjoy the peace and fresh air.

Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin “Boxer” Moran said:

For history and local flavours, why not take a trip to Oldbridge House, Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Co. Meath. Visitors can savour local delights and pick up some fresh produce at the Farmers Market or step back in time to the 17th century with Living History tours and meet costumed interpreters such as musketeers, artillery gunners, blacksmiths, monks and soldiers.

Nature lovers won’t want to miss the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin which is hosting daily summer tours and ‘Wildflowers: accidental garden’ tours over the bank holiday weekend. Learn all about the history and development of the gardens and discover the seasonal highlights in our collections.

Kilmainham Gaol and Rathfarnham Castle are running photographic exhibitions over the bank holiday weekend. The Prisoners Lens: Secret photography in Kilmainham Gaol, 1921 Exhibition presents photographs taken by prisoners using cameras smuggled into the prison, offering a powerful snapshot of everyday life at that time. At Rathfarnham Castle, ‘Monuments in focus’ exhibition features photographs exploring how modern photography can capture the essence of a times past, showcasing how photography plays a crucial role in documenting the maintenance and conservation of monuments and their condition against erosion and extreme weather events.

Royal Hospital Kilmainham is offering a unique tour of Bully Acre’s cemetery. This tour explores the hospital’s story and its relationship with the local community through its three cemeteries bringing to life the varied narratives of monks, soldiers, veterans and body snatchers.

Don’t forget our initiative that sees free admission for all individuals under 18 to heritage sites across the country for the month of August 2026. This initiative encourages visitors under 18 to explore and engage with their culture and heritage during the month of August and ensure access for all, by removing financial barriers – see link.

Join us this August bank Holiday weekend for fun-filled events at OPW locations across the country. For more information and a full list of events see links below or visit www.heritageireland.ie.

ENDS

For more information about the events please see links below:

Annes Grove Gardens, Co. Cork

Outdoor Yoga – link

Charles Fort Military Fortress, Co. Cork

The oceanic odyssey of Oscar the octopus – link

Ennis Friary, Co. Clare

Detective and Nature trails for budding sleuths – link

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin

The Prisoners Lens: Secret photography in Kilmainham Gaol, 1921 Exhibition – link

National Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin

Summer daily tours – link

Wildflowers: the accidental garden - link

Oldbridge House, Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Co. Meath

Farmer’s Market - link

Living History: bringing the 17th century to life - link

Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin

Monuments in focus: a visual exploration of Irelands archaeological heritage – link

Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin

Bully’s Acre cemetery tour - link

Scattery Island, Co. Clare

Summer activities for kids – link

NOTES TO EDITORS

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

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The Office of Public Works (OPW)

The OPW provides accommodation for Government Services and manages much of the State’s property portfolio.

It cares for 780 heritage sites, including national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. It is the Government’s principal engineering agency, providing an engineering service to the Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management functions of the OPW as well as to other Government Departments.