Historic Wexford Houses Open Their Doors for National Heritage Week

Historic Houses of Ireland members in Wexford are delighted to be opening to the public once again for National Heritage Week.

Historic Houses of Ireland is a registered charity founded in 2008 to support the preservation and future of Ireland’s historic homes, buildings, estates, gardens, and archives still in private hands.  By representing its members and advocating on their behalf, the organisation works to raise public awareness of these vital cultural and natural assets while fostering dialogue with policymakers to ensure their sustainability.  Their members also play a key role in protecting Ireland’s precious biodiversity and native habitats, with many estates safeguarding centuries-old parklands and woodlands that support Ireland’s flora and fauna. 

Justin Green, Chairman of Historic Houses of Ireland, said “We are so grateful to be funded by The Heritage Council. It’s essential to our work as a charity preserving built, natural and cultural heritage in private hands. I’m also very thankful to the owners who are opening their homes to the public and engaging with the theme ‘Heritage at Risk’ in innovative ways. Our membership spans the spectrum from thatched cottages and modest country houses to Ireland's most iconic castles and estates. To see so many of them opening across the country is something very special.''

Thomas Emmet, Events Officer for Historic Houses of Ireland said “It’s fantastic to see so many  members opening to the public. Across the country we have close to eighty events being hosted by members. Some of these houses are private throughout the year but are opening especially for Heritage Open Doors.Others, like the Wells House, are doing a special event during National Heritage Week. It has been fantastic being able to co-ordinate with local Heritage Officers like Liz Clancy. While many of our members have been in the same hands for generations, an increasing number are more recently acquired by owners passionate about preserving heritage. Through heritage, hospitality, and conservation, our members contribute to local economies, rural development, and environmental stewardship—preserving not only the buildings themselves, but the communities and landscapes that surround them. National Heritage Week is an example of their desire to share this tireless work with the locality!”

National Heritage Week, a Heritage Council Programme, runs from Saturday, August 15th until Sunday, August 23rd. Their full programme is here: https://www.heritageweek.ie/. Historic Houses of Ireland has a full programme of their member events in each county here: https://www.historichouses.ie/event/national-heritage-week-with-historic-houses-of-ireland-6/register