Heritage Ireland

Ireland’s National Heritage in the care of the Office of Public Works

Free/Reduced admission

Free/Reduced admission to many of our fee paying sites is applicable until the end of 2020. The Free Wednesday Scheme is no longer applicable

COVID-19 closures

Please note arising from our visitor sites being closed as a result of COVID-19, all Heritage Cards due to expire between 14 March 2020 and 13 March 2021, will be extended for a full year.

Inspiring passion from our past.

We are the Irish Government’s historic environment service.

Find out more about what we do.

Popular Locations

Discover the remains of prehistoric tombs. Imagine the thrill of defending a castle. Wander through medieval halls. Soak up the serenity of historic gardens and the splendour of great estates.

heritageireland

Minister O'Donovan meeting the dedicated OPW team

Minister O'Donovan meeting the dedicated OPW team responsible for taking care of Askeaton Castle.

View from the banqueting hall at Askeaton Castle

View from the banqueting hall at Askeaton Castle

To celebrate National Heritage Week, Smashing Time

To celebrate National Heritage Week, Smashing Times will screen two short films on the theme of Courageous Women Castle to Castle. Featuring chats, storytelling and performances with artists, historians and guest speakers, these films highlight the incredible stories of women in history and their impact on our lives today. Smashing Times chose the unique settings of Rathfarnham Castle and Dublin Castle to remember and reflect on stories of courageous women from the past and today. The screenings feature scenes from Constance and Her Friends by Mary Moynihan, inspired by women’s stories from 1916 to 1923, recently performed in Dublin Castle and The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII by Mary Moynihan, Fiona Thompson, Paul Kennedy and Féilim James, performed in Rathfarnham Castle. Audiences can view the films during Heritage Week on the Smashing Times Collection of Women's Stories webpage (see link below) where the range of cultural resources are currently displayed and on the Smashing Times Facebook page. Links will also be posted on Rathfarnham Castle and Dublin Castle social media. To view the Smashing Times cultural heritage resources and films go to: http://smashingtimes.ie/centrefortheartsandhumanrights/collection-of-womens-stories/

During National Heritage Week, we get a wonderful

During National Heritage Week, we get a wonderful glimpse into the world of our talented apprentices as they learn the old crafts and cutting edge conservation methods - it’s all in a day’s work! Don’t forget to visit our Heritage Ireland Facebook page for lots of fun Heritage Week activities. Link in bio.
#Hertitageweek #Heritageweek2020
#loveyourheritage #NationalHeritageWeek
#heritageonyourdoorstep

The first task in your Legacy Lessons adventure is

The first task in your Legacy Lessons adventure is to make a memory box! Take inspiration from the picture below and make your very own special place to keeps the records, tasks, works of art and more that you will create with us this week. Take some time now to gather some colours and other craft items as we’ll have lots of worksheets for you to fill in over the coming days. #Hertitageweek #Heritageweek2020 #loveyourheritage
#NationalHeritageWeek #heritageonyourdoorstep

Let us bring you on an adventure! Join us for Heri

Let us bring you on an adventure! Join us for Heritage Ireland Legacy Lessons as we take you across Ireland. This Heritage Week we will explore our ancient monuments, local places, castles, homes and gardens in ways that you never have before. View our first Heritage Week video on our Heritage Ireland Facebook page, link in bio.

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Unlimited access to Ireland’s past