National Heritage Week runs from August 15th to August 23rd, 2026. Water Heritage Day (held during National Heritage Week) takes place on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

The Heritage Week Theme for 2026 is “Heritage at Risk”. This year’s theme encourages communities and event organisers across Ireland to highlight threatened aquatic ecosystems, endangered coastal landscapes, threatened native habitats, and fading traditional maritime/riverine skills.

If you are planning a water/biodiversity related event, you are invited by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) to submit your Heritage Week event ideas for funding. There are lots of resources and ideas about Heritage Week events on the Heritage Council website and you are invited to submit an application to host a Heritage Week event.

For more information and guidelines, please visit LAWPRO Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme 2026 | Online Consultation Portal of the Waters and Communities Office

Closing date: Monday 20th July 2026 at 5pm