Closures
We do our best to make sure our historic places are always ready to welcome visitors. As our sites re-open our priority remains the safety of our staff, visitors and local communities. Please see below list of sites closed or open but with restrictions in place. The closures and restrictions remain under ongoing review in light of emerging circumstances and as Covid measures are installed.
Sites closed currently; periodically reviewed in the light of emerging circumstances and as Covid measures are installed
Adare Castle
Limited Access
The maximum number of people permitted on the bus from Adare Heritage Centre to the Castle is 10 visitors and 1 Guide.Ardfert Cathedral
Limited Access
Maximum number: 20 (in Transept only)
Open Daily: 10:00 - 17:15
Free Admission.Askeaton Castle
Limited Access
Entry is by guided tour only as there are ongoing conservation works at the site.Athenry Castle
Limited Access
Site closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
May close for lunch subject to availability of guide staff.
The grounds and basement open only .
No public toilets on site
Free entry to end of 2020 .Aughnanure Castle
Limited Access
Castle closed. Grounds only open daily 10:00 to 17:00, last admission 16:30.
Free admission
Maximum number of visitors on site - 40.
No public toilet facilities on site.
Site may close for lunch subject to availability of Guides.
Social distancing adhered to throughout the grounds - please follow Guides instructions.
Ballyhack Castle
Site Closed
Barryscourt Castle
Site Closed
Boyle Abbey
Site Closed
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth)
Limited Access
NEW PHYSICAL DISTANCING VISITOR EXPERIENCE - From 30th July 2020 until further notice.
Brú na Bóinne Tour – OUTSIDE ONLY
This is the only tour option available and is self-guided.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
It is essential to pre-book tickets online in advance of visit.
There are no ‘walk-in tickets’ available. Please do not arrive without having booked your tickets in advance as you will not gain entry.
Pre-booking online is possible from 24 hours up to 7 days in advance of visit.
A maximum of 12 tickets can be booked online.
FACE COVERS ARE MANDATORY DURING YOUR VISIT.
Café is only available to those booked on tours at present and has a limited service.Cahir Castle
Site Closed
Please note that for operational reasons Cahir Castle will be closed to the public from 14 September until further noticeCarrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Limited Access
Grounds only
Free admissionCasino Marino
Site Closed
The Casino is closed until further notice.Céide Fields
Limited Access
Exterior only open
Café closed
Free AdmissionCharles Fort
Limited Access
Open 11:00 - 16:30, Last Admission 16:00.
Exterior only open
Exhibition Centres closed.
One way system in operation.
Free admissionClonmacnoise
Limited Access
The site itself is fully open as are toilets but the museum / exhibition area, audio-visual and coffee shop remain closed.Derrynane House
Limited Access
Please note the reduced hours
Cash Only - No credit card facilitiesDesmond Castle Kinsale
Site Closed
Desmond Castle Newcastlewest
Limited Access
No access to space above Banqueting Hall.
Maximum 12 people per group allowed.
Toilets closed.Donegal Castle
Site Closed
Doneraile Estate
Limited Access
Please note a maximum of 4 persons per group allowed.Dublin Castle
Limited Access
We currently have timed, limited entry for Self-Guided visits (maximum of 30 persons every 30 minutes).
No Guided Tours.
Coffee Shop is closed.Dún Aonghasa
Limited Access
Visitor Centre closed. Visitors can access the site.
Guides are on site.
Coffee Shop closed.
Free admission until 2021.Dungarvan Castle
Site Closed
Dunmore Cave
Site Closed
Dwyer McAllister Cottage
Site Closed
Emo Court
Limited Access
COVID-19
Following the Taoiseach's announcement, Friday 7 August 2020, please note the following:
Emo Court Parklands are open from 8.30am to last entrance at 8.30pm
Tea/Coffee & light snacks are available from CaToCa's takeaway unit located outside the tearooms.
Enjoy your visit and walk with nature and abide by COVID-19 guidelines.
Ennis Friary
Site Closed
Famine Warhouse 1848
Site Closed
Farmleigh House and Estate
Limited Access
Farmleigh House is closed until further notice. Daily walking tours of the grounds available.Ferns Castle
Site Closed
Glebe House and Gallery
Limited Access
Gallery open: 11:00 - 18:30 Daily. Closed on Fridays for Sep - Oct
Gallery Closed 01 November
Free Admission
Cafe Closed
Glebe House closed.Glendalough Visitor Centre
Limited Access
Monastic site open.
Visitor Centre & Cafe Closed .
Free Admission.
Toilets Available from 09:00 - 17:00Hill of Tara
Limited Access
Hill of Tara open, no Guide
Service in placeIonad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Connemara – Pearse’s Cottage
Limited Access
Teach an Phiarsaigh open.
Visitor Centre & Cafe closed.
Guided tour available .
Free admission.Jerpoint Abbey
Limited Access
Free Admission
Visitor Centre & Toilets closed .
Grounds Open.
Advance Booking Required .Kells Priory
Limited Access
Open but with no guide
service in placeKilkenny Castle
Limited Access
Some Period Rooms closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Self guided Tours only.Kilmainham Gaol
Limited Access
Opening Times
09:00 - 18:30 Daily August
09:30 - 18:00 Daily September
09:30 - 17:30 Daily October - December.
Maximum Number of persons per tour is 10.
Cafe/Shop Closed.Listowel Castle
Site Closed
Maynooth Castle
Site Closed
National Botanic Gardens
Limited Access
Café is closed at present.
A one-way system is in place to aid 2m social distancing. Some areas of the Gardens are closed. Gates may be closed if numbers get too high.National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh
Limited Access
Social distancing: 2 metre rule applies; gates may be closed if numbers get too high.Newmills Corn and Flax Mills
Site Closed
Old Mellifont Abbey
Limited Access
One way system in place. No access to Visitor Centre. No Guided tours available.
Free admission.Ormond Castle
Limited Access
Open 10:00 - 18:00 Daily. Closes 01 November.
Advance booking recommended.
Access by Guided tour only (max 5 Persons).
Toilets closed.
Limited access for visitors with mobility difficulties.
Free admission.Parke’s Castle
Limited Access
Forge, courtyard and garden areas open. Battlements and interior of castle closed.
No Guided tours.
Free admission.Pearse Museum – St. Enda’s Park
Limited Access
Guided Tours outdoors only.
Advance booking recommended - slots are timed on the hour.
Café takeaway only.Phoenix Park Visitor Centre – Ashtown Castle
Limited Access
Open 09:30 - 18:00 Daily.
Advance booking required for groups (10 max).
Guided tours not available.
Limited numbers at any given time and restricted access.Portumna Castle and Gardens
Limited Access
Advance booking required for Tours.
Guided tours subject to Guide availablity (10 persons per group).
Gift shop closed. Exhibition in Gallery.
Free admission.Reginald’s Tower
Site Closed
Rock of Cashel
Limited Access
Exterior only open.
Booking required
No Toilets or Café
Self guide only
Cormac's Chapel, Hall of Vicars Choral and Audio Visual closed.
Last admission strictly 16:45
Half price admissionRoscrea Heritage Centre – Roscrea Castle and Damer House
Limited Access
Gardens onlyRoss Castle
Limited Access
Admission by guided tour only
Maximum number: 6
Tours hourly 10:00 -17:00
No pre-booking: first come, first served basis
Free Admission
Scattery Island Centre
Limited Access
Some restrictions apply on the Island, Open Daily, Ferry booking required, Guided Tours, Free Admission to Island, There are Toilets, No Café.Skellig Michael
Site Closed
Sligo Abbey
Site Closed
St Audoen’s Church
Site Closed
St. Mary’s Church Gowran
Site Closed
Swiss Cottage
Limited Access
Open 10:00 - 17:00, Last admission 16:30
Cottage closed
Access to grounds only
Self guide only
Toilets closed
Free admissionThe John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Limited Access
The main pathway in the arboretum is open, but some of the minor pathways are closed.
Free Admission
Guided Tours: Outdoor only 12:00 and 15:00 (max 10 persons)
Toilets closed 13:30 - 14:30 for cleaning. Cycling, jogging and skate boarding not permitted.The Main Guard
Site Closed
Tintern Abbey
Site Closed
Trim Castle
Limited Access
Grounds only, Open Daily 10:00 - 17:00 from 6 Nov weekends only, no guided tour, Free Admission, no Toilets or Café.
