Evening Bat Walks
2026-06-25 20:00 - 2026-08-27 22:00, 2026-08-27 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/Dublin) | Johnstown Castle Estate, Y35 HP22, Ireland
As the sun begins to set over Johnstown Castle and the visitors leave, many animals are settling down for the night.
In the attic of the Irish Agricultural museum and by the lakes others are just coming to life! Did you know the museum attic is home to a large roost of pipistrelle bats? One of the largest in the country in fact!
This Spring and Summer we are delighted to welcome you for some very special after hours Bat walks. Come and join us for an evening bat talk and walk with bat conservationist Harm Deenen. Learn about the various bats which live on the Johnstown Estate and why Johnstown Castle is such a special place for them. Get to try out a bat detector and find out how we use it to identify a bat by its call.
**Please note your start time as start times vary depending on sunset time**
Dates & Times:
Thursday 30th July at 20:45 SOLD OUT
Thursday 27th August at 20:00 SOLD OUT

Heritage Week: Castle Tour
2026-08-17 10:30 - 11:30
As part of Heritage Week 2026, we’re delighted to offer our 10:30am Castle Tour at the price of general admission.
Step back in time and enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the magnificent 19th-century Johnstown Castle. Discover the history, architecture and stories behind one of Ireland’s finest Gothic Revival castles.
Tour Information
The tour begins at the front door of Johnstown Castle at 10:30am, not at the Visitor Centre.
Please allow approximately 5 minutes to walk from the Visitor Centre to the castle before your tour starts.
Please Note
The castle tour is fully accessible.
Food and drink are not permitted inside the castle.
Dogs are not permitted inside the castle, with the exception of registered assistance and guide dogs.
Photography is welcome.
Video and audio recording are not permitted during the tour.
Limited tickets available – advance booking is recommended. Free for IHT members.

Heritage Week: Guided Estate Tour
2026-08-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Johnstown Castle Estate, Y35 HP22, Ireland
Celebrate Heritage Week 2026 with a Guided Estate Tour
Discover the stories behind the estate during this special Heritage Week guided walking tour, included with the price of general admission.
Join one of our expert guides as you explore the grounds and uncover the rich 800 year history of the estate, from its origins to the families who called it home over the centuries.
Event Details

Time: Tour begins promptly at 2:00pm
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Booking: Limited places available – advance booking is recommended.
IHT Members: Free of charge. Please call 053 918 4671 to reserve your place.

Please note: This is an outdoor guided walking tour. Participants should wear suitable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. This tour is fully accessible.
We look forward to welcoming you for an engaging journey through the estate’s history.

Heritage Week: I Heard Their Cry
2026-08-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Johnstown Castle Estate, Y35 HP22, Ireland
Heritage Week Talk with Author Shirley Bowers
As part of Heritage Week, we are delighted to welcome author Shirley Bowers for a special talk exploring history, reflection, and reconciliation.
Originally from Huntingdon, the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell, Shirley has dedicated the past 30 years to addressing the enduring legacy of Cromwell’s campaign in Ireland. Her latest book I HEARD THEIR CRY tells the story of those Cromwell had deported to Barbados and their living descendants.
Event Details

Admission: Free (Day visitors MUST have purchased general admission tickets to enter).
Booking: Limited spaces available – advance booking is required.
Call 053 91 84671 to book your space.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special Heritage Week event.

Heritage Voices: Preserving Stories and Landscapes at Johnstown Castle
2026-08-20 11:00 - 11:30 | Johnstown Castle Estate, Y35 HP22, Ireland
The stories, memories and traditions that helped shape Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens, home to the Irish Agricultural Museum and one of Ireland’s most important centres of agricultural, environmental and built heritage, are currently being recorded and preserved through a new oral history initiative in County Wexford.
Join us for a memorable Heritage Week event celebrating the voices and experience that shape our local history. A selection of recordings from this new oral history archive will be shared, offering a window into life in Johnstown throughout the years.
This project has been kindly funded by the Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grant scheme.

Pop Up Movie Club
2026-08-21 - 2026-08-28 | Johnstown Castle Estate, Y35 HP22, Ireland
Join Pop Up Movie Club for a 3-night only cinema experience in this stunning location. Bring your own seats, pack a picnic, and make yourself comfortable under the night sky. Think blankets, good food, and a proper cosy outdoor movie vibe.
We’ll be serving cinema popcorn on site, so you’ve got the essentials covered while you settle in for the film. One night, one iconic movie, and a setting you won’t get in a regular cinema.
Fri Aug 21 – 21:15 The Greatest Showman
P T Barnum becomes a worldwide sensation in the show business. His imagination and innovative ideas take him to the top of his game.
Sat Aug 22 – 21:15 Dirty Dancing
While holidaying with her parents at a resort, Frances is smitten with the resort’s rebellious dance instructor. However, her father opposes the relationship, creating ripples in her family.
Fri Aug 28 – 21:00 Mamma Mia
As Sophie and her family are busy preparing for her wedding, she secretly invites three men, who were her mother’s lovers in the past, with the hope that one of them is her father.
PLEASE NOTE All ticket holders are advised to bring camping chairs or blankets. Gates open 30 minutes before movie start time. This event is outdoors and subject to weather conditions.

Artisan Craft Fair
2026-08-22 11:00 - 2026-08-23 16:00 | Johnstown Castle Estate, Y35 HP22, Ireland
The wonderful Johnstown Artisan Craft Fair is returning after the success of the Summer and Christmas markets!
This two day event is taking place on 22- 23 August in the museum courtyard, this event features over 30 stalls offering hundreds of unique handmade items perfect for gifts or a special treat. Enjoy live music while you browse, creating a lively and fun atmosphere for all ages.
Organised by a third party team Craft Collective (contact: Chantelle & Sheila artisanfairjohnstown@gmail.com), the fair is free for Irish Heritage Trust members and included in daily admission for day visitors.
