The Office of Public Works (OPW) announced two days of free admission to over 80 heritage sites on the 17th and 18th of August, the opening weekend of National Heritage Week 2024.*

This National Heritage Week, the OPW invites visitors to explore the links between people and communities, to look at what brings us together and what connects us.

A full programme of over 160 OPW run evens has been announced. These include a collaboration between OPW and NPWS guides at Glendalough Monastic Site, a community-generated exhibition of the social history of the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, and an expert-led exploration of medieval pilgrimage in Tipperary at the Rock of Cashel.

View the Heritage Week ‘What’s On’ Listing

*Free admission to all fee-paying sites except for Kilmainham Gaol Museum.

Local Link to the Past

As part of this year’s Heritage Week theme: Connections, Routes and Networks, Transport for Ireland (TFI) have collaborated with the OPW with their local links service, connecting you with this history of the past.

From the 19th – 23rd August 2024 OPW heritage sites that are participating in the Local Links to the Past scheme are offering visitors free entry when they present their Local Link ticket upon arrival.

This initiative highlights the shared aim between OPW and Department of Transport to encourage sustainable travel, and give people access to the beauty and history of Ireland.

Please see below the full list of participating sites and their corresponding TFI Local Link:

1.  Glendalough Monastic Site and Visitor Centre

Route 183, Sallins to Arklow

 

2. Donegal Castle

292 Ballyshannon to Donegal Town 

293 Glencolmcille to Donegal Town

It is also possible to reach on Bus Eireann’s 30 and 30x, 492, 480, and 64 routes

 

3. Parke’s Castle

563 Sligo-Dromahair Local Link bus 

566 Sligo-Dowra

 

4. Ionad an Bhlascaoid – the Blasket Centre

Route 277a and 277b to Dunquin

 

5. Ennis Friary

318, 331, 335, 337, 339, 342, 344, C23 routes

 

6. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery

981 Coolaney to Sligo

 

7. Charles Fort Military Fortress

253C Kinsale to Charles Fort

 

8. Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

850 Athlone to Roscrea

 

9. Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre – Oldbridge Estate

163 Brú na Bóinne to Drogheda

 

10. Portumna Castle and Gardens

547 Ballinasloe to Portumna

322 Nenagh to Portumna

 

11. Sligo Abbey

563 Dromahair to Sligo

566 Dowra to Sligo

572 Ballinamore to Sligo

977 Castlerea to Sligo

981 Coolaney to Sligo