Whale watching, historical re-enactments and wildlife tours are just some of the highlights thousands of people will enjoy as Heritage Week begins today.
The week-long annual celebration of Irish culture, history and the outdoors was launched with a day of traditional song, music and games in Kilkenny Castle.
And as environmentalists attempt to record whale numbers around the coast, people gathered at 16 headlands for an opportunity to spot the majestic creatures.
The theme of this year's Heritage Week is 'Look Forward. Look Back. Look Around' with people urged to take a closer look at their natural and cultural heritage.
Organisers hope to see large crowds flock to more than 1,000 events planned throughout the week.
Isabell Smyth, of the Heritage Council, invited people to celebrate their local heritage with pride.
"Heritage Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wealth of heritage across Ireland and to highlight its contribution to our lives," she said.
"As a generation we are extremely privileged to have such heritage on our doorsteps, be it our landscapes, buildings, museums, flora or fauna, but we also have a responsibility to ensure its survival for future generations."
Walled towns, such as Bandon, Cashel, Derry and Kilkenny, were also being celebrated with the Irish Walled Towns Day.
Visitors were treated to a complete medieval experience with witch trial re-enactments, staged battles, archery and cooking displays.
Many of Ireland's grandest stately homes will also throw open their doors to the public for special tours.
There's also a chance to get up close and personal with shaggy haired Bilberry goats in Waterford. The species, not found anywhere else in the world, have been living on the hills of the city for hundreds of years.
PA