European Heritage Open Days Antrim 2026

What to Expect

European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) is the UK’s largest heritage festival, offering free public access to historic buildings and sites that are usually closed or charged. The 2026 theme is “Heritage at Risk - Revive, Resist, Reimagine.” In County Antrim, confirmed participating sites include Carrickfergus Castle (the Anglo-Norman fortification on Belfast Lough, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland) and a coastguard boathouse at Whiteabbey. Additional Antrim sites will be confirmed on the full EHOD programme, published by the Department for Communities ahead of the weekend. Some events require advance booking.

Good to Know

• Dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.

• Free entry to participating sites; some events require booking in advance.

• Full programme of Antrim and Northern Ireland sites published at communities-ni.gov.uk.

• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council typically opens additional sites in Carrickfergus and Larne - check shapedbyseaandstone.com for local listings.

• The EHOD programme covers all of Northern Ireland; check the full listing for sites near Ballymena, Larne and Antrim town.

Getting There

Carrickfergus Castle is on Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, directly on the waterfront. Carrickfergus railway station (Belfast to Larne line) is a short walk from the castle.