The heartbeat of Irish culture
This year’s Heritage Week (16–24 August) is a perfect backdrop for the findings. It’s a week when local communities throw open their doors: castles that are usually locked, hidden graveyards, family-run craft workshops, all revealed for curious neighbours and travellers. Heritage isn’t some dusty relic; it’s a living, breathing thing, and most of us feel it in our bones.
The research shows:
- Over half of us believe the next generation will experience heritage through a mix of tech and tradition. Picture kids exploring Newgrange through VR, then climbing the real passage tomb with muddy boots.
- A third say museums and cultural organisations are the anchors keeping children tied to our story.
- And yes, even social media is helping — céilí dances and folklore clips shared on TikTok are part of the modern transmission line.
Still, 76% worry children feel less connected than we once did. Maybe that’s why events like Heritage Week matter so much — they’re bridges between generations.
Protecting what matters
Ecclesiastical Ireland, the insurer behind the research, has a long tradition of protecting heritage buildings, churches, and cultural sites. Managing Director David Lane put it well: “Heritage shapes who we are and how we connect with one another. Protecting it is protecting ourselves.”
But the truth is, heritage isn’t just protected by insurers or curators. It’s protected every time a grandmother teaches her grandson a sean-nós song, every time a local historian gives a free tour, every time a child discovers they can tell their family story in a new way.
A living legacy
Heritage Week is proof that Irish culture is not stuck in the past — it’s a living legacy. You’ll find it in the laughter of a village fair, in the quiet hush of a cathedral, and in the pride of communities who open their hearts to share their stories.
So, yes, 88% of us feel connected. But spend a day during Heritage Week in any townland, and you’ll see why the number should be even higher. Heritage isn’t just what we inherit — it’s what we choose to pass on.