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family · Saturday 1 August 2026 · 2:00pm 
The Wickerman Gathering - Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh
At Navan Centre and Fort · 81 Killylea Road, Armagh, Co. Armagh, BT60 4LD
At Navan Centre and Fort · 81 Killylea Road, Armagh, Co. Armagh, BT60 4LD
Every August, Navan Centre and Fort marks the ancient Celtic harvest festival of Lughnasa by setting a 30-foot Wickerman on fire under the evening sky above Emain Macha - one of the most storied ancient sites in Ireland. The Wickerman Gathering is a genuinely atmospheric night out: part fire spectacle, part living history, part community festival, held at a place where the Iron Age still feels close to the surface. It suits families with older children, couples looking for something different, and anyone with even a passing interest in Ireland’s pre-Christian past.
The fire ceremony is the centrepiece, but the evening fills out well before the Wickerman is lit. Living history performers bring the Iron Age to life across the grounds, with costumed characters going about daily Celtic routines in a way that is engaging rather than earnest. Local musicians play throughout the evening, artisan craft makers set up stalls with work worth stopping at, and there are interactive family activities running alongside everything else.
The organisers encourage visitors to get into the spirit of it: colourful tunics, Celtic jewellery, summer headdresses or warrior face paint are all welcome. Previous gatherings have drawn over a thousand people to what became a sold-out event, so booking ahead is strongly advised. The atmosphere, by all accounts, is one of the highlights - the setting of Emain Macha at dusk, with fire and music, makes for an evening that is hard to replicate anywhere else in Ireland.
All tickets include Park and Ride from Armagh city centre - there is no on-site parking at Navan Centre and Fort on event nights. Blue Badge holders can use disabled parking in Armagh city centre car parks and board designated accessible buses. Armagh itself is easily reached by road: the M1 motorway runs from Belfast (about 45 minutes) and from Dublin (roughly 90 minutes) via Newry. Bus Eireann and Translink both serve Armagh from various points, though checking current timetables is wise for an evening event.
Armagh is a city that rewards a few hours of wandering - the twin cathedrals, the Georgian mall, and the Palace Demesne grounds all sit within easy reach of the city centre. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to Navan Centre and Fort in Armagh? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Armagh area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.