Laois village to step back in time with Heritage Festival this weekend

Timahoe is gearing up for what promises to be an action packed weekend of activities for the annual Heritage Festival. 

The vibrant event, which began in 2019 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the Viking raid on Timahoe’s monastery in 919AD, has since grown into a major celebration that attracts visitors from near and far.

This year's festival returns this Saturday and Sunday, June 1 & 2. Here are some of the festival highlights to look forward to: 
Timahoe 5K Heritage Run: Kick off the festivities with the Timahoe 5K Heritage Run on June1st at 11am, with registration on the day, opening at 10am. Runners of all ages are invited to participate in this scenic run through the beautiful village of Timahoe.

Battle Re-enactments: Experience the thrill of history with spectacular battle re-enactments on the grounds of the Timahoe Round Tower & Heritage Centre. Watch fully armoured knights in combat, witness fierce Viking battles, and let your children train in Viking combat to help defend Timahoe in a fun and engaging way.

Interactive Workshops and Displays: Explore a replica Viking Longship, a bustling Art & Craft Fair, and hands-on workshops for kids, including the free Big Dig, Coin Striking, and Bead Making workshops. These activities are organized by The School of Irish Archaeology and supported by the Heritage Council. Participation is free and the workshops are for children aged5-12. Please book in advance at Eventbrite to avoid disappointment.

Replica Viking/Gael Village: Step into the past with a visit to the replica Viking Village, featuring displays of Viking and Gael crafts. Enjoy live demonstrations of Viking & Medieval Weaponry, Medieval Cooking, Weaving, Raven Pottery, Fibre Craft, and Finger Braiding Workshops from Drop Dead Stitches.

Historical Groups: Meet and interact with historical re-enactment groups like the Golden Ravens, Magnus Vikings from Ballydugan Medieval Settlement, Scotia Historical Representations, Ulfhednar Hird Ireland, and Eóganachta Living History, who bring the early Gael life to vivid reality.

The Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Car Run: We welcome the Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Car Run to Timahoe on Sunday 2nd June, at 11:30am. The annual run commemorating the1903 Gordon Bennett Cup Race, that took place in Laois, Kildare and Carlow, will stopover in Timahoe, with over 100 pristine vintage and classic cars on show. 

Additional Activities: Test your archery skills at the Archery Range, have fun at the Funfair, and discover the secrets of Rune Readings. On Sunday 2nd June at 3:30pm, don't miss the Heritage Talk on The Battle of The Pass of the Plumes (1599), and at 2pm on Saturday 1st, we have the book launch of Sally Harpur O'Dowd's memoir based on the writings of Ernest Harpur.

● Admission: Timahoe Heritage Centre | Adults €5 - Children Free