Wickerman Gathering at Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh

Every August, Navan Centre and Fort does something that very few visitor attractions in Ireland can pull off: it fills a hillside with a few thousand people, builds a 30-foot effigy from timber and willow, and sets the whole thing alight. The Wickerman Gathering marks the Celtic feast of Lughnasa - the first harvest festival, honouring the sun god Lugh - and it does so on one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Ireland. If you are looking for a summer evening with real atmosphere and genuine historical roots, this is the one.

What to expect

The event runs from 6:30pm to 10:30pm, which means you arrive in evening light and leave under the stars - and the fire. Between the gates opening and the ceremonial burning, there is plenty to take in. Living history performers bring the Iron Age to life through storytelling, weaponry displays and reconstructed scenes drawn from the Ulster Cycle of myths that made this hilltop famous. Local musicians provide the soundtrack throughout the evening, and artisan craft vendors are on site if you want to browse. The organisers encourage visitors to dress the part - colourful tunics, Celtic jewellery, headdresses or warrior face paint are all welcome - though there is no requirement to do so. The wicker man burning itself is genuinely impressive: a 30-foot structure lit against the night sky, on the very hill where ancient Irish kings held court. It is not a re-enactment of something that happened on this spot; it is a living interpretation of how Lughnasa was celebrated across the Celtic world, staged in a place where that world was very real.

Important: there is no on-site parking at Navan Centre and Fort for this event. All tickets include a Park and Ride from Armagh city. Blue Badge holders can park in Armagh city centre car parks and access accessible buses.

Getting there

Armagh is in the south of Co. Armagh, well connected by road from Belfast (roughly 40 minutes via the A3), Dublin (about 90 minutes via the M1 and A3) and Newry (around 30 minutes). Bus Éireann and Translink services reach Armagh from multiple directions. For this particular event, the Park and Ride arrangement means the simplest approach is to drive or get a bus into Armagh city and follow the shuttle bus signs. Navan Centre and Fort itself sits about 3km west of the city on the Killylea Road - a short bus hop from the city centre pick-up points.

While you’re in Armagh

Armagh is worth arriving early for. The city has two cathedrals - both named for St Patrick, one Catholic, one Church of Ireland - sitting on facing hills, which tells you something about the place’s long and layered history. The Georgian Mall and the Armagh Observatory are both within easy walking distance of the city centre. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.

Good to know

• Date: Saturday 1 August 2026, 6:30pm - 10:30pm
• Price: Ticketed - book via visitarmagh.com or call 028 3752 9644
• Parking: Park and Ride from Armagh city; no on-site parking at the fort
• Accessibility: Blue Badge holders can park in Armagh city centre car parks and use accessible shuttle buses
• Tickets are non-refundable once purchased; check the Visit Armagh site for programme updates as the date approaches
• Family-friendly; all ages welcome