European Heritage Open days (EHOD) 2023
Each year over 250 people open their doors and organise events for EHOD across Northern Ireland.
It is a once-a-year opportunity for curious families, architect lovers and heritage enthusiasts to explore buildings and exclusive sites rarely open to the public.
European Heritage Open Days will take place 9 and 10 September 2023.
There will be digital offerings running through the week from 4-10 September.
If there is a local character or connection to a local figure of note you would like to celebrate, a historic area you want to see recognised or simply want to tell the story of your home, workplace, or community we would love you to take part.
EHOD offers you the opportunity to showcase the stories and places you care about. We don’t define “heritage” – that is up to you!
If you are interested in organising an event or opening a local historical property for European Heritage Open Days registration is now open.
Registration closes 11 June 2023.
Guidance for organisers
The following guidance will help you to plan your event and to submit your EHOD 2023 application.
Planning
Before registering your property and/ or event you will need to plan and decide:
- opening times and booking conditions
- if it’s an online digital event or an event taking place at a venue
It is always a good idea to have your opening times and any pre-bookable parts of your event finalised before you register.
Describing your event:
- prepare a clear, concise and interesting short description to engage your audience and show them what they will experience when they come along - this description should be no more than 100 characters long to be included in our e-brochure
- prepare a detailed description of your building and/ or event for entry to the Discover Northern Ireland and Council of Europe websites. You can find out about your building from a number of sources such as local library, historical society, Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland or the Public Record Office NI.
Images:
We need a minimum of one landscape and one portrait high quality image for your property/activity/event. We can accept up to four images, one of which must be landscape. We will use images for media, social media, and online promotions.
- images must be hi res and big enough to not appear pixelated
- images of people enjoying themselves are engaging
Top tip:
- make sure you have permissions to use images of people
Submit your registration
Register your event online.
It should not take long to complete the entry and you will need to input the following:
- contact details
- location of property/ event – including postcode
- short description for promotion and marketing purposes
- detailed description – minimum 300 words, maximum 700 words
- timing and tours - provide opening times and give specific times of tours/ events - for example talks. If you are not open on a specific day, leave that box blank
- add booking details if applicable
- categories – tick all relevant boxes - these help visitors know what is happening as well as search for events by type. There are also categories for access facilities
- general information – provide more information to help us categorise and promote your event
- email your images to ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk, provide the name of your property/ event in the subject title
- email us if you require help in sourcing volunteers
- email us if you require a copy of your entry detail
Top tips:
- register as early as possible and before the closing date of 11 June 2023 to be included in the WEBAPP
- make your short description engaging
For more information email the EHOD team ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk
Checklist
A handy checklist to make sure your registration and event goes smoothly:
- opening times and booking conditions decided
- event planning scoped
- event entry descriptions written
- virtual event – include your website link
- images sourced and emailed to EHOD
- online registration form completed
EHOD 2022 Review
EHOD 2022 opened its doors across Northern Ireland on 10 and 11 September with week-long digital events taking place from 5-11 September.
With a wide variety of fascinating talks, tours and lectures as well as brand new places to visit there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Contact
EHOD Team
Email: ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 02890823207
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