HHI Autumn School 2026

HHI's Third Autumn School, Wednesday, October 21st

We are excited to announce the third Historic Houses of Ireland Autumn School Conference at spectacular Durhamstown Castle on Wednesday, October 21st.

After two fantastic years in Lisnavagh House and Burtown House, we are very much looking forward to welcoming attendees to this year's conference focused on conservation, tourism, biodiversity and advocacy. 

The Autumn School Conference brings together members, other heritage organisations and enthusiastic members of the public for a day of panels, workshops and networking.

This year for the first time we will have a series of three hands on workshops alongside our regularly programmed panels.

This year for the first time we will have a series of hands on workshops alongside our regularly programmed panels.

Schedule:

9.30 Arrival

10.10 Official Opening- Minister of State for Nature Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O Sullivan

10.15 Opening Address- Historic Houses of Ireland Chairman Justin Green

10.30 PANEL Beyond the Hotel: Unique Stays and the Future of Heritage Tourism- Sponsored by Unique Irish Homes

Tourism Ireland CEO Alice Mansergh, chef and restauranteur Richard Corrigan, Ireland's Guide Founder Georgina Campbell and award winning international tourism consultant Professor Terry Stevens discuss Ireland's heritage destinations.

11.50 PANEL Caring for Heritage, Caring for Nature: Historic Houses and their Communities

Author Eoghan Daltun, Rewild Your Land founder Padraic Fogarty and presenter and educator Anja Murray on how biodiversity and the community are integral to the future of historic houses and estates.

11.50 WORKSHOP Living Traditions: Skills and Materials for Preservation- Sponsored by The 1772 Foundation

A brisk walk and talk around Durhamstown Castle and its yard buildings examining traditional skills and traditional materials with conservation expert and former All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Manager Tom Pollard. 

13.00 Buffet Lunch

14.00 PANEL From Preservation to Advocacy: Giving Voices to Historic Houses

Irish Tourism Industry Confederation CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, Sarah Roller from Chatsworth & The Devonshire Group and CEO of Alliance for Insurance Reform Brian Hanley discuss how to advocate for reform. Moderated by Airbnb Director of Policy Strategy Velma Corcoran.

15.20 PANEL More than the Grant: Historic Houses and Conservation- Sponsored by the Irish Georgian Society

Moderated by Director of Sheridan Woods Architects Charlotte Sheridan and featuring Richard McLoughlin, Director of Lott's Architecture and Urbanism as well as Historic Houses of Ireland members.

15.20 WORKSHOP Good Food, Great Brand

Cullen Allen, formerly of Cully and Sully, delivers a hands-on "three steps" of branding- how to get started, how to expand and world domination!

16.30 Conference End

We are very grateful to our sponsors for the Autumn School Conference: The The 1772 Foundation, Irish Georgian Society, Unique Irish Homes, Meath County Council, Ceangal- A Heritage Council Local Authority Programme and Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.

It is going to be yet another stimulating and educational conference and we look forward to seeing you there!

Our thanks to our hosts Dave and Sue Prickett for making their home available for this very special event. 

Prices:

Price per person €150

Concessions:

Two tickets can be purchased for 260 euro

Places:

This event is for a maximum of 220 guests