Looking for a fun, family-friendly festival this June Bank Holiday Weekend that won’t break the bank? Timahoe Heritage Festival 2025 offers one of the most affordable days out you’ll find — just €5 for adults, with free entry for kids and free parking! Taking place on May 31st & June 1st in the heart of Co. Laois, this year’s festival promises to be our biggest and most immersive yet. Expect a packed programme of historical re-enactors, hands-on workshops, dramatic combat displays, and living history encampments — many featuring performers and warriors who’ve appeared in shows like Vikings, Valhalla, Game of Thrones, and How to Train Your Dragon.
Here’s just a glimpse of what’s in store:
🗡Epic Viking & Medieval Combat
Fragarach Armoured Combat return with their crowd-favourite, full-contact medieval battles.
Golden Ravens – local Viking warriors ready for action!
Ulfhednar Hird Ireland – Polish fight & living history group, with several film and TV veterans.
Dubh Linn Ostmen – a Dublin-based Viking and living history group.
Magnus Viking Association – Living History Group from the Ballydugan Medieval Settlement
Prepare for the Defenders of the Tower Bridge battle to kick things off in the main arena — a dramatic fight to protect the heritage centre bridge from Viking invaders!
Also featuring:
Fully armoured combat displays
Public Viking silly games in the village
Viking court drama – with audience participation
🪓 Living History & Viking Camp Life
A full Viking Village, showcasing Viking and Gael life
Live Viking battles, including kids vs Viking mayhem
Full Contact Armoured Combat with Fragarach Armoured Combat
Medieval monks, warriors, cooking displays, archery, and court re-enactments
Paul Kavanagh’s Viking Ship Display, plus talks on Viking shipbuilding techniques
Raven Haven Averies – birds of prey as seen on the big screen, in productions such as Vikings, and Game Of Thrones, with live demos
Monks of Timahoe – a nod to our ecclesiastical roots, and Timahoe’s founding saint, Mochua
St. Mochua Tree Carving by Evgeny Chubatyy, who will return with more live wood sculpture in 2025
Fossey Church Mass – a special heritage mass at the 16th-century church on Friday, May 30th @ 7:30 PM, honouring our spiritual past
🧳 Workshops, Demonstrations & Heritage Crafts
- Jaqui Wright – historical pottery demonstrations and workshops
- Drop Dead Threads – finger braiding demonstrations
- Ewka – medieval herbalist giving talks and displays
- Rick Fontes, live blacksmithing demonstration
- Medieval Cooking Display – A culinary treat from days of yore
Fergal Ryan from Willow and Sword, traditional basketry - Pint of Plane (Eoin Reardon) – traditional woodworking using reclaimed timber
- Fiach Rua Timbercraft – axe work, timber hewing, ogham and rune carvin
🏃Hit The Ground Running
Timahoe Heritage Run (5K Road Race)
🗓 May 31st, 2025
⏰ 11:00 AM Start
📍 Register online or from 10:00 AM at Timahoe Heritage Centre
REGISTER HERE
🎵 Music & Performance
Timahoe Male Choir, fresh from their appearance at Electric Picnic and the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Alice Laffin, local musician
More music acts to be announced!
🏰 Festival Fun & Entertainment
The Viking Village – A living history look at Viking/Gael life
Kids vs. Vikings mock battles, preceded by Viking Training For Kids
Living History displays throughout the village
Big Dig, Coin Striking, and Bead-Making Workshops with the School Of Irish Archaeology, (Free for kids, booking details coming soon)
Art & Craft Fair – 11 AM both days – limited trading spots still available! APPLY HERE
Funfair with all the classics — keep an eye out for Vikings on the Teacups!
🎗 Special Appearances & Exhibits
- Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Car Run Stopover on Saturday, May 31st, featuring over 100 vintage and classic cars
- Archery Sessions with Durlas Eile Archers
- Dunamaise Beekeepers Get up close with bees and learn all about them from the experts
- Heritage Talks and guided discussions
- Festival Funfair We promise to keep the Vikings away from the rides this year!
💼 Admission
Adults: €5
Children: FREE
Parking: FREE
Dog-friendly festival! Please keep pets leashed and tidy up after them.
With so much more still to be announced, Timahoe Heritage Festival 2025 is set to be an unforgettable celebration of our shared past, full of thrills, culture, laughter, and learning.
See you there!
