Step Into the Past: European Heritage Open Days 2025 in Omagh & The Sperrins

European Heritage Open Days 13-14 September 2025

🎟️ Free Admission to All Participating Sites
🔗 Full NI EHOD Listings

European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) returns this September — and there’s no better place to experience the richness of Northern Ireland’s heritage than right here in Omagh and the Sperrins.

From the mystique of ancient stone circles to the legacy of migration, this year’s EHOD celebrates the places and people that have shaped our communities — with free entry to over 200 historic attractions across Northern Ireland, including fascinating events and locations in the heart of Tyrone.

🔍 Explore Our Local Highlights

🌿 An Creagán Bog Nature Reserve

Step into the wild and wonderful world of the boglands with a unique event combining an immersive talk and guided bog walk. Learn about the ecological and cultural significance of An Creagán’s peatlands and discover how this ancient landscape continues to inspire and connect us to our roots.

20 per session twice a day 10am and 2pm

🏡 Ulster American Folk Park – Mellon Homestead & Landscape Tour

Journey through time at one of the region’s most celebrated heritage sites. The Ulster American Folk Park tells the epic story of emigration from Ulster to America during the 18th and 19th centuries. This year, take a special guided tour of the Mellon Homestead and surrounding landscape, shedding new light on the real people behind the migration.

Taking place on Saturday 13th September at 11:00 & 14:00

⛪ Sacred Heart Church, Omagh

Marvel at the Neo-Gothic grandeur of Omagh’s most iconic landmark. Constructed between 1892 and 1899, this Grade A listed building features stunning stained glass, intricate stonework, and a deep-rooted connection to the town’s social and spiritual fabric.

🔥 Rylagh Lime Kiln, Gortnagarn

A hidden gem with a powerful story. Built in 1801 and restored in 2015, the Rylagh Lime Kiln was once a cornerstone of local agricultural life. Discover the traditional methods used to produce lime for fertiliser and learn about the community-led restoration project that brought it back to life.

🔘 Beaghmore Stone Circles

Step even further back in time at the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a Bronze Age site of ceremonial significance nestled on the south-east fringes of the Sperrins. Unearthed from the bog in the mid-20th century, the site features stone circles, alignments, and cairns — still shrouded in mystery, and awe-inspiring to behold.

🏛️ This Year’s Theme: “Architectural Heritage: Past Structures, Future Connections”

EHOD 2025 invites us to reflect on how our built environment shapes our sense of place, identity, and belonging. These structures — from humble lime kilns to grand churches — tell stories not only of the past, but also of the connections we continue to build for the future.

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or simply curious about your local area, European Heritage Open Days is your invitation to explore, learn, and reconnect with the world around you.