European Heritage Open Days

European Heritage Open Days is an annual event celebrating local architecture, history and culture, which takes place across Europe on the second weekend in September. In Northern Ireland European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) is run by the Department for Communities with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Each year over 250 people open their doors and organise events for EHOD across Northern Ireland.

European Heritage Open days (EHOD) 2024

European Heritage Open Days will take place 14 and 15 September 2024.

There will be digital offerings running through the week from 9-15 September.

Each year EHD’s across Europe celebrate a shared theme and for 2024 the theme is “Routes, Connections and Networks – Links in our Heritage”

At the heart of the annual theme for 2024 are the notions that our heritage, in both its tangible and intangible forms, is a reminder of how peoples, communities, countries and cultures have long been inter-connected, and how we continue to be connected, through common values, shared practices and a desire to protect and make sense of our individual and collective histories. As well as the physical routes that once connected us, so much of our heritage illustrates the mobilities of the past and how people, objects, ideas and beliefs travelled far and wide. 

If there is a local character or connection to a local figure of note you would like to celebrate, a historic area you want to see recognised or simply want to tell the story of your home, workplace, or community we would love you to take part.

EHOD offers you the opportunity to showcase the stories and places you care about. We don’t define “heritage” – that is up to you!

If you are interested in organising an event or opening a local historical property for European Heritage Open Days registration is now open.

Registration closes 22 May 2024

Guidance for organisers

The following guidance will help you to plan your event and to submit your EHOD 2024 application.

Planning

Before registering your property and/ or event you will need to plan and decide:

  • opening times and booking conditions
  • if it’s an online digital event or an event taking place at a venue

It is always a good idea to have your opening times and any pre-bookable parts of your event finalised before you register.

Describing your event:

  • prepare a clear, concise and interesting short description to engage your audience and show them what they will experience when they come along - this description should be no more than 100 characters long to be included in our e-brochure
  • prepare a detailed description of your building and/ or event for entry to the Discover Northern Ireland and Council of Europe websites. You can find out about your building from a number of sources such as local library, historical society, Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland or the Public Record Office NI.

Images:

We need a minimum of one landscape and one portrait high quality image for your property/activity/event. We can accept up to four images, one of which must be landscape. We will use images for media, social media and online promotions.

  • images must be hi res and big enough to not appear pixelated
  • images of people enjoying themselves are engaging

Top tip:

  • make sure you have permissions to use images of people

Submit your registration

Register your event online.

It should not take long to complete the entry and you will need to input the following:

  • contact details
  • location of property/ event – including postcode
  • short description for promotion and marketing purposes
  • detailed description – minimum 300 words, maximum 700 words
  • timing and tours - provide opening times and give specific times of tours/ events - for example talks. If you are not open on a specific day, leave that box blank
  • add booking details if applicable
  • categories – tick all relevant boxes - these help visitors know what is happening as well as search for events by type. There are also categories for access facilities
  • general information – provide more information to help us categorise and promote your event
  • email your images to ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk, provide the name of your property/ event in the subject title
  • email us if you require help in sourcing volunteers
  • email us if you require a copy of your entry detail

Top tips:

  • register as early as possible and before the closing date of 22 May 2024 to be included in the WEBAPP and Downloadable Brochure
  • make your short description engaging

For more information email the EHOD team ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk

Checklist

A handy checklist to make sure your registration and event goes smoothly:

  • opening times and booking conditions decided
  • event planning scoped
  • event entry descriptions written
  • virtual event – include your website link
  • images sourced and emailed to EHOD
  • online registration form completed

More information can be requested by emailing the EHOD team. There’s a great resource available for ideas on how to organise things for this years EHOD theme. See more at European Heritage Days.

EHOD 2023 review

EHOD 2023 opened its doors across Northern Ireland on 9 and 10 September with week-long digital events taking place from 4-10 September.

With a wide variety of fascinating talks, tours and lectures as well as brand new places to visit there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Contact

EHOD team


Email: ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 02890823207
Facebook  www.facebook.com/loveheritageni
Instagram www.instagram.com/loveheritageni
Twitter  www.twitter.com/loveheritageni

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