National Hedgerow Week 2026
National Hedgerow Week is a partnership between Teagasc and the Heritage Council. The week aims to raise awareness of the importance of hedgerows for biodiversity, farming, climate and heritage.
A collaboration between The King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, the Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division (HED), National Museums NI (NMNI) and Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) which aims to elevate individuals within the construction sector to become experts in their chosen craft.
The programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund (UK), thanks to National Lottery players with further support from The Heritage Council and Department for Communities (NI).
Aim of the Programme
Many of our traditional skills are in danger of being lost. The All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme aims to address the shortage of skilled craftspeople in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland by providing training in heritage building skills for those already working in the construction sector. These skills, such as stonemasonry, carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, blacksmithing, plastering, thatching, roofing, tiling, painting, and decorating are needed for the conservation, repair and maintenance of historic buildings and structures in Ireland. Additionally, the programme aims to showcase the substantial contribution that traditional craft skills can make in shaping and creating new spaces and places.
The programme is not an entry-level programme, to be successful in gaining a place on the course, candidates must have prior experience in their craft area of choice, either via college or onsite working experience.
This is a 12 month full time programme.
In the video below, blacksmith Dáire Cleary speaks about his experience as a participant in the programme.
What's involved?
The programme offers a 12-month course which aims to elevate individuals within the construction sector to become experts in their chosen craft.
Participants gain hands-on experience in traditional building techniques, conservation, and repair, along with interdisciplinary training through residential schools, industry placements and collaborative projects. Additionally, they have the opportunity to pursue a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction), further enhancing their expertise and credentials in the field.
The Programme is delivered across different locations in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Each year the programme hosts up to a maximum of 8 participants. Participants are selected via a process of application, shortlisting, and interview. A call-out for applications is announced annually in February/March with the course typically commencing in mid-July of that year. Successful applicants are awarded a full scholarship and will be provided with a monthly bursary to help cover the cost of travel and accommodation.
2026/2027 Programme
Applications for the 2026/2027 programme are now closed.
Please see this information document with more details on the programme.
Congratulations to our Course Graduates 2024/2025
Congratulations to the graduates of the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme 2024/2025: Darragh McGuigan Fallon (decorative finisher), Philip Pestor-Young (blacksmith), Neil Cunningham (signwriter), and Erin McKnight (decorative finisher).
Congratulations to our Course Graduates 2022/2023
Congratulations to the first course graduates of the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. Ollie Flood (blacksmith), Hannah Glass (decorative finisher), Anthony Duignan (joiner), Jack Murphy (blacksmith) Mary Hallinan (blacksmith) and Emmanuel Buule (joiner).
