Ogham Stone Writing Workshop for Kids at Ardgillan Castle

What to Expect

This free 90-minute workshop introduces children aged 6 to 11 to Ogham, the earliest known form of writing used in Ireland, before letting them make their own Ogham tablet from fast-drying clay and carve their name into it using the ancient symbols. It’s a hands-on mix of history and craft, explaining where and how Ogham was used in early Ireland before turning that into something the kids actually make and take home.

Set inside Ardgillan Castle’s clifftop demesne near Balbriggan, it’s a good option for families looking for a genuinely educational activity over the summer holidays that doesn’t feel like a lesson, and it fits alongside the castle’s other heritage-focused kids’ workshops running around the same time. Because it’s free and short, it’s an easy one to combine with a wider visit to the castle grounds, gardens or coastal walks nearby.

Ardgillan runs a steady programme of these kinds of hands-on heritage workshops for children through the summer, often timed around National Heritage Week and school holiday weeks more generally, so it’s worth checking the castle’s listings if this date doesn’t suit, as similar craft and history sessions tend to come around again. The demesne’s walled gardens, rose garden and coastal walking trails are all free to explore before or after the workshop, making it easy to turn into a longer family outing.

Good to Know

• Monday 17 August 2026, 90-minute workshop
• Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan
• For children aged 6-11
• Free, but booking required as places are limited
• Children make and carve their own Ogham clay tablet to take home
• Check the Ardgillan Castle events listing for the exact start time

Getting There

Ardgillan Castle sits on a clifftop demesne between Balbriggan and Skerries, reachable by car via the coast road or by Dublin Bus routes into Balbriggan, from where it’s a short taxi ride. On-site parking is available within the castle grounds.