This year’s theme, Future Heritage, invites the public to explore more than 200 free events across the city and county from October 11 to 19.
Everything from historic castles and civic buildings, to contemporary residential projects will open their doors, with interactive workshops for children, and thoughtful discussions about how communities evolve.
“This year’s Open House theme, Future Heritage, is our loud, collective call to rethink how we value and care for our heritage, our future and our role within it,” Emmett Scanlon, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, said.
“For the twentieth year running, we reveal the value and impact excellent architecture and design have on all of our lives.”
In Dublin city, festivalgoers can visit iconic locations including The Four Courts, St Fintan’s, Dolphin House, and The Loos Bar in Trinity College.
Historic buildings such as Marsh’s Library, City Assembly House, Casino Marino, Chester Beatty’s Clock Tower, and Dublin Castle are opening their doors with a range of tours, including autism-friendly and tactile options.
Architects’ studios across the city, from Hawkins\Brown to BDP and Newmark Architects, are also welcoming visitors, while walking and cycling tours will explore Dublin’s public spaces, women’s history, and coastal mobility routes.
Families can join in with creative workshops at Pearse Lyons Distillery, or storytelling sessions at IAF House, immersing children in architecture in playful and engaging ways.
Heading north to Fingal, the festival offers a combination of historic and contemporary architecture.
Newly completed buildings such as the Baldoyle Racecourse Community Centre and the redeveloped Skerries Library, provide a glimpse into the county’s evolving civic spaces.
Historic properties, including Skerries Mills, Europe’s only site with three mills and a bakery, and Newbridge House, continue to tell the story of Fingal’s rich architectural heritage.
Fionnuala May, Fingal County Architect, said: “Open House allows everyone to explore and experience the architecture shaping our communities, from historic gems to our newest public buildings.”
South Dublin’s contribution to the festival focuses on transformative residential projects and community spaces.
Developments like Seven Mills, set along the Grand Canal, and Innovation Square Apartments in Tallaght, showcase sustainable, community-focused urban planning.
Visitors can also explore the Tymon Park Intergenerational Centre, designed to integrate seamlessly with its surrounding park.
Lucan House, the former Italian Embassy, offers a historic contrast, with its Georgian-period interiors and demesne open to the public.
In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, visitors can explore Ballyogan Library, a former gymnasium transformed into an inclusive space with sensory pods, a teen zone, music studio, and creative room.
The travelling photography exhibition, Who is my Neighbour, captures the faces of local communities.
Historical tours complement these events, with the Dún Laoghaire Carnegie Library, Ardvarna House, and the redeveloped Dún Laoghaire Baths offering a glimpse into the past, while guided cycling and walking tours along the coastal mobility route bring visitors into the present.
All Open House Dublin events are free, though pre-booking is required for many tours and workshops. Tickets are available at www.OpenHouseDublin.com