European Heritage Open Days

European Heritage Days is an annual event celebrating local architecture, history and culture, which takes place across Europe on the second weekend in September. In Northern Ireland European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) is run by the Department for Communities with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

Organising an event

Each year over 250 people open their doors and organise events for EHOD across Northern Ireland. You could be one of them!

EHOD is a once-a-year opportunity for curious families, architect lovers and heritage enthusiasts to explore buildings and exclusive sites rarely open to the public.

Each EHOD celebrates a shared theme throughout Europe. EHOD 2022 theme will be raising awareness of Sustainable Heritage: Learn, Use, Enjoy).

Sustainable Heritage is a landmark opportunity for organisers to focus their events, talks, tours and workshops around the part they play in making historical sites and tourist venues more environmentally friendly.

The theme also invites organisers to share how built and natural heritage contributes to a more sustainable future.

Natural surroundings across Northern Ireland will also have an opportunity to show-off its hidden wonders, from small urban green spaces and gardens, to expansive rural countryside, woodlands, waterways, and geological features all expected to take part

What is happening for EHOD 2022?

EHOD 2022 will be opening its doors across Northern Ireland 10 and 11 September with digital events available 5-11 September.

Plans for the 2022 programme are underway with a range of fascinating talks, virtual tours and lectures as well as brand new places to visit.

Some of the highlights from 2021 include: The Ulster American Folk Park in County Tyrone, The Tower Museum in County Londonderry, County Fermanagh’s Portora Castle, a guided tour of Cultra Manor in County Down, a tour of the Grand Opera House in Belfast, exploring the Hidden History of Dunluce Castle Tour in County Antrim and a Guided Vehicular Tour of Glen Ree (Valley of Kings) in County Armagh.

Organiser tips on registering

Planning

Before registering an event you will need to plan and decide:

Opening times and booking conditions

  • you will need to have your opening times and any pre-bookable parts of your event finalised prior to registering:

Describe your event

  • prepare a clear, concise and interesting short description to engage your audience and show them what they will experience when they come along. This description should be no more than 240 characters long.
  • prepare a detailed description of your building and event for online entry. You can find out about your building from a number of sources such as local library, historical society, Historical Record of NI, or the Public Record Office NI.

Images

  • one landscape and one portrait image is required for online registration. We can accept up to 4 images, however one of which must be landscape.
  • we will use images for media and online promotions.
  • must be hi res and big enough to not appear pixelated
  • images of people enjoying themselves are engaging. However, make sure you have permissions to use images of people.

Submit your registration

Register your event online.

It doesn’t take long to complete the online entry and you will need to input the following:

  • contact details
  • location of property/event – please input Postcode to make your event searchable on our WEBAPP
  • short description (for use in social media promotions) Maximum 240 characters
  • detailed description – Minimum 200 words, Maximum 700 words
  • timing and tours. Provide opening times and Give specific times of tours/events (e.g talks etc) If you are not open on a specific day – leave that box blank.
  • categories – tick all relevant boxes. These help visitors know what is happening as well as search for events by type. There are also categories for access facilities.
  • if your event is happening at a State Care Monument, you will also need to apply for permission. There will be no fees charged for an EHOD event at a State Care Monument.
  • social media handles where applicable
  • booking information, where applicable
  • volunteer information, where applicable
  • digital event information, where applicable
  • general information – provides more information that helps us categorise and promote your event.
  • email your images to ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk, provide the name of your property/event in the subject title

Top tips

Register as early as possible and before the closing date of 2 May 2022 to be included in the new EHOD WEBAPP.

Make your short description engaging!

Sign up for the LoveHeritageNI newsletter

You can keep up to date with all things EHOD and much more by signing up to our LoveHeritageNI newsletter and following us on social media:

FB /loveheritageNI
Instagram/Twitter @LoveHeritageNI

Once you have been added to our mailing list you will receive the very latest news and information about EHOD alongside tips and advice to help make the weekend a memorable visitor experience

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