We are very fortunate in Ireland to have lots of amazing heritage sites to visit with great outdoor spaces perfect for kids. This summer as you plan your days out with the kids in Ireland, we’ve got some great news for you – it’s FREE admission to OPW Heritage Ireland sites for the rest of 2021!
Where Are Ireland’s OPW Sites?
We were delighted to hear that Minister O’Donovan had announced that there will be free admission to OPW visitor sites in support of the Government’s recovery and reopening plan.
Admission charges to all fee-paying OPW heritage sites have been waived, and just in time for inter-county travel again with museums and galleries allowed to reopen. This summer as you plan your days out or staycation in Ireland, check out all the OPW heritage sites, parks and museums.
And best of all, this will remain in force until the end of the year.
Certain of the busiest sites are available on a pre-booked basis only by online booking, email or phone booking and this will be indicated on the Heritage Ireland website. So visitors are strongly advised to check with these sites in advance.
Leinster OPW Sites Free to Visit
These are the Leinster OPW Sites that are free to visit:
Altamont House & Gardens, Co. Carlow
Gardens/Parklands open, Café takeaway only.
Arbour Hill, Dublin
Open as normal.
Casino Marino Building, Dublin
Closed for refurbishments. Grounds open to public.
Dublin Castle
State Apartments self-guiding only. Gardens and The Coach House Gallery open.
Farmleigh House & Estate, Dublin
House & Galleries closed. Gardens/Parklands open. Café takeaway only.
Garden of Remembrance, Dublin
Open as normal.
Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin
Open as normal.
Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Dublin
Open as normal.
Iveagh Gardens, Dublin
Open as normal.
National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin, Dublin
Visitor Centre closed, toilets available. Gardens/Parklands open. Café takeaway only.
Phoenix Park, Dublin
Visitor Centre open. Park open as normal. Café takeaway only. Walled Garden open.
Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
Castle will open, self-guiding only, from 24 May. Café takeaway only.
Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin
Gardens/Parklands open.
St. Enda’s Park & Pearse Museum, Dublin
Museum & Nature Room closed. Gardens/Parklands open as normal. Café takeaway only.
St Stephen’s Green, Dublin
Open as normal.
Castletown House & Parklands, Kildare
Parklands open. Car park. Café take-away only. Castletown House is open Wed-Sun, downstairs, self-guiding only, from 12 May.
Jerpoint Abbey, Kilkenny
Access to outside spaces only.
Kilkenny Castle & Demesne
Castle open, self-guiding only. Gardens/Parklands open. Tearoom outdoor service only. Playground COVID protocols apply.
Emo Court, Laois
House closed. Gardens and parklands open. Café takeaway only.
Heywood Gardens, Laois
Open as normal.
Corlea Trackway, Longford
Access to outside spaces only. Visitor Centre closed but toilets are available.
Battle of the Boyne, Meath
Gardens/Parklands open as normal. House/Visitor Centre open. Café takeaway service.
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth), Meath
Access to buses and sites through Visitor Centre. Pre-booking essential. Exhibition open, café open for takeaway and to those booked on tours only, access by bus only to Newgrange and Knowth Outside only (no access to tomb chamber). Dowth – visitors can go direct to site via N51 – Outside Only. No access through visitor centre
Hill of Tara, Meath
Access to outside spaces only.
Kells Priory, Meath
Access to outside spaces only.
Loughcrew, Meath
Access to outside spaces only
Trim Castle, Meath
Access to outside spaces only.
Clonmacnoise, Offaly
Access to outside spaces only.
J.F.K. Arboretum, Wexford
Visitor Centre open. Café closed but mobile service in operation. Playground COVID protocols apply.
Glendalough, Wicklow
Access to outside spaces only.
National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh, Wicklow
Gardens open as normal. Toilets available. Café takeaway only.
Munster OPW Sites Free to Visit
Charles Fort, Cork
Access to outside spaces only. Visitor Centre and other internal exhibition spaces closed.
Doneraile Court, Cork
House open Thurs-Sun, downstairs, self-guiding only, from 13 May Gardens/Parklands open Café Take-away/outdoor service only
Fota Arboretum, Cork
Gardens open as normal.
Garinish Island, Cork
Island and gardens open Fri to Sun. Bryce House open for escorted self-guided visits from 21 May. Café open.
Ardfert Cathedral, Kerry
Open as normal.
Blasket Islands & Visitor Centre, Kerry
Visitor Centre closed for refurbishments. Viewing Point open.
Derrynane House & Garden, Kerry
House open Wed-Sun, self-guiding only, from 12 May. Gardens open.
Ross Castle, Kerry
Escorted access to the Castle from 14 May.
Askeaton Castle, Limerick
Access to outside spaces only.
Desmond Castle, Newcastle West, Limerick
Outdoor tours only. Self-guiding access to ground floor of castle with limited access to castle banqueting hall.
Cahir Castle, Tipperary
Access to outside spaces only.
Ormond Castle, Tipperary
Access to outside spaces only from 15 May.
Rock of Cashel, Tipperary
Access to outside spaces only.
Roscrea Heritage Centre, Tipperary
Access to outside spaces only.
Connacht OPW Sites Free to Visit
Athenry Castle, Galway
Access to outside spaces only. Castle access basement only.
Aughnanure Castle, Galway
Access to outside spaces only. Castle closed.
Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mór, Galway
Access to outside spaces only. Visitor Centre closed.
Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsiagh, Galway
Access to Visitor Centre self-guiding only, escorted access only to the cottage.
Portumna Castle, Galway
Access to outside spaces only. Castle self-guided access from 14 May.
Parke’s Castle, Leitrim
Access to outside spaces only.
Boyle Abbey, Sligo
Open from 20 May.
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Sligo
Access to outside spaces only. Visitor Centre closed.
Ulster OPW Sites Free to Visit
Glebe House & Gallery, Donegal
House and Gallery closed. Gardens and parklands open.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
