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
Altamont Gardens
Limited Access
Gardens and parklands only open.
Café Take-away only.
Áras an Uachtaráin
Site Closed
Closed due to Covid-19 Restrictions.Ardfert Cathedral
Limited Access
Exterior grounds open 26 April 2021.
Please enter by usual entrance.
Open daily 10:00 - 17:15.
Free Admission.
Ardfert Cathedral will close for the 2021 season on 20 October at 13:00Askeaton Castle
Limited Access
Access to outside spaces only.
This site will close for the season on 1 November 2021
Athenry Castle
Limited Access
Grounds, Castle Basement and Great Hall only, open daily.
Free Admission .
Site closed from 25 November 2021.
Aughnanure Castle
Limited Access
Grounds open daily -the ground floor of the Castle is also open
Open 09:30 - 18:00 last admission 17:15 until 27 October .
Please note Seasonal Opening Times from 28 October 2021.
Free admission
Public toilet facilities on site.
Site may close for lunch subject to availability of guides.
Social distancing adhered to throughout the grounds - please follow guide instructions.
Site Closed from 29 November 2021-Ballyhack Castle
Site Closed
Barryscourt Castle
Site Closed
Battle of the Boyne
Limited Access
Visitor Centre open 10:00 - 16:30
Walled Garden open 10:00 - 17:30
Public Toilets open 10:00 - 17:00
Tea Pavilion open for outdoor dining only. Takeaway Service available .
Entrance Gate to the Oldbridge Estate closed at 17:00, Exit Gate closed at 19:00 sharp.
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth)
Limited Access
PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Brú na Bóinne Tour – Outside only
A visit to the exteriors of Newgrange and Knowth
There is no access to the chamber at Newgrange
This is the only tour option available and is self-guided.
Face Covers are Mandatory during your visit.
See graphic of physical distancing visitor experience
Cahir Castle
Limited Access
Access to courtyards and Banqueting Hall only
Visitor numbers will be restricted
No toilets available
Please note that Cahir Castle will close at 14.00 on Sunday 26 September . Apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause .
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Limited Access
Access to outdoors only.
Self-guided tours only.
Public Toilets closed.
Free Admission.
Carrowmore will close on 17 November for the 2021 seasonCasino Marino
Limited Access
The Casino is closed until further notice.
Grounds only open to Public.Castletown House and Parklands
Limited Access
House open Wednesday – Sunday, until 7 November 10:00 – 12:45 and 14:15 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:45)
Biodiversity Garden open 7 days 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Parklands open 7 days, 07:00 – 21:00.
Café open 7 days, 10:00 – 17:00.
Céide Fields
Limited Access
Outdoor areas of the site open .
Visitor Centre closed for renovations. Temporary toilet facilities available .
Café closed.
Free admission.
Céide Fields will close on 15 November for the 2021 season
Charles Fort
Limited Access
Access to outdoor areas.
Visitor Centre and other internal Exhibition spaces closed.
Toilets Open.
Tearooms open for outdoor dining and takeaway .
Self -guided visits only.
One-way directional system in operation.
2 metre social distancing applies.Clonmacnoise
Limited Access
Carpark barriers close at 17:30. Access to outside spaces only. Self-guided visit only. Toilets available.
Coffee shop closed.
The use of drones is prohibited.
Bus park closed until further notice due to remodelling works. Car parking is available.
Custom House Visitor Centre
Site Closed
Derrynane House
Limited Access
Open daily .
Self-guided visits hourly 10:30 – 12:30 and 14:30 - 16:30 (maximum 10 per visit).
Unfortunately, we do not have Credit Card Facility and can only accept cash.
Desmond Castle Kinsale
Site Closed
Desmond Castle Newcastlewest
Limited Access
Outdoor tours only.
Self guiding access to ground floor of castle.
Limited access to castle banqueting hall.
Doe Castle
Limited Access
Grounds Only.
There will be no tours of the Castle this summer .Donegal Castle
Limited Access
Visitor numbers restricted
One way system in operation
Free admission until end of 2021
Toilets open
Self-guide only
Site may be closed for lunch according to availability of Guides
Doneraile Estate
Limited Access
Doneraile Court closed on the 12th of September for the 2021 season.
It will re -open again for the 2022 Season
Queries: donerailecourt@opw.ie Please see further information under "Contact "Dublin Castle
Limited Access
State Apartments - Self Guiding only .
Grounds and garden open.
Dún Aonghasa
Limited Access
Site open.
Visitor Centre closed.
Guides on duty 09:00 - 18:00.
Free admission.
No toilet facilities available at present - apologies for any inconvenience caused.Dungarvan Castle
Limited Access
Open daily 10:00 - 18:00. Last Admission 17:15
Visitor access to external areas only.
Toilets closed to the public.
Dunmore Cave
Site Closed
Site closed for 2021 season due to ongoing worksDwyer McAllister Cottage
Site Closed
Emo Court
Limited Access
House Closed
Gardens/Parklands Open
Café Takeaway only
Ennis Friary
Limited Access
Open daily 10:00- 18:00 . Last admission 17:15.
Maximum of 15 visitors permitted on site at any one time.
Self Guided visits only but guides are on site to answer queries.
Face Coverings must be worn in indoor spaces.
No toilet facilities .
Famine Warhouse 1848
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.Farmleigh House and Estate
Limited Access
House Closed.
Gallery Open Tuesday - Sunday - 10:00 - 17:00 , Closed Monday except for bank holidays and closed daily for lunch 13:00 - 14:00
Gardens/Parklands Open - Farmleigh Estate will remain open until 20:00 from Monday 12 July until end August, 2021
Café Take-away only
Ferns Castle
Limited Access
Open 09:30 - 17:00 Sat - Wed inclusive.
Outdoor spaces only, no VC and no toilet facilities .Glebe House and Gallery
Limited Access
House and Gallery Closed.
Outdoor areas open.Glendalough Visitor Centre
Limited Access
Visitor Centre is closed.
Car park is open - parking charges apply
Toilets open 09:30 - 17:00.
Monastic Site is open.
Walking trails all open.
Guides on site 09:30 - 17:00.
Heywood Gardens
Limited Access
Access to outside areas only.Hill of Tara
Limited Access
Visitor Centre closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Holycross Abbey
Limited Access
Open for private visits & guided tours
Tours of Holycross Abbey are available but must be pre-booked to ensure the safety of all and in compliance with government guidelines. Bookings can be made by contacting 086-1665869, 0504-43124 or by emailing holycrossabbeytours@gmail.com. Please book at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability.
Access dependent on local ceremonies
Abbey Opening Times: 09:00 - 18:00 Mon - Sat, 10:30 - 18:00 Sun
Gift Shop Opening Times: 10:00 - 16:00 Mon - Sat, 11:30 - 17:00 Sun
Contact: 0504-43124 for further information
Ilnacullin – Garinish Island
Limited Access
Gardens open daily 10:00 - 16:00
Limited opening of Bryce House for escorted visit – numbers restricted.
Jerpoint Abbey
Limited Access
Free Admission
Visitor Centre & Toilets closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Grounds Open.
Kells Priory
Site Closed
Kilkenny Castle
Limited Access
From 10 May 2021 : Open daily 09:30- 17:30 last admission at 17:00
Self - Guided visits only.
Free admission.
All visitors, including children, must have a ticket
Tickets must be booked online on our website
Kilmainham Gaol
Limited Access
Guided tours resume on Monday 20 September.
Entry by pre-booking only. Toilets available. Visitors are required to wear a face covering while onsite.
As part of the guided tour is outdoors, visitors should dress appropriately for the weather.
Listowel Castle
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictionsLoughcrew Cairns
Limited Access
Access to outside spaces only.
The Office of Public Works will have staff on Carnbane East at Loughcrew on the mornings of 21, 22 and 23 September for Equinox Dawn from 07:15 to 20:30.
There will be no access to the interior of Cairn T. If you are planning on being there, please dress warmly and wear sensible shoes. The climb to the top of the hill is steep and may be slippery so please take care. All welcome!
Maynooth Castle
Site Closed
Site Closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.National Botanic Gardens
Limited Access
A one-way system is in place to aid 2m social distancing. Some areas of the Gardens are closed including the Glasshouses and the Visitor Centre.
Guides available to answer your queries.
Gates may be closed if numbers get too high.
Café Take-away only.
Toilets are available
National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh
Limited Access
Social distancing: 2 metre rule applies; gates may be closed if numbers get too high.
Guides available to answer your queries.
Café takeaway only.
Toilets are available
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills
Site Closed
Old Mellifont Abbey
Limited Access
Open from 10:00 to 17:00
No admission to exhibition.
Admission free of charge.
Ormond Castle
Limited Access
Escorted visits hourly 10:30 – 17:15 (maximum 5 per visit).
Pre-booking strongly advised by calling 051-640787.
Toilets not available.
Please note that Ormond Castle will close early on Saturday 25 September . Last tour - 12.30 , Site closes 13.15
Apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause .Parke’s Castle
Limited Access
Courtyard, Forge and Garden areas open.
Interior of castle closed.
No Guided tours.
Free admission.
Parke's Castle will close for the season on Sunday 14 NovemberPhoenix Park
Limited Access
Visitor Centre is closed at present . Access to Park and Walled Gardens .
Café Take away only.Phoenix Park Visitor Centre – Ashtown Castle
Limited Access
Guides stewarding the Walled Garden daily.
Portumna Castle and Gardens
Limited Access
Ground floor and Grounds open 10:00 - 18:00
Last admission 17:15 until 6 October 2021.
Please note Seasonal Opening Times from 7 October 2021.
Site closed from 25 November 2021.
Toilet facilities are available on site
Tea Rooms open .
Free AdmissionReginald’s Tower
Site Closed
Rock of Cashel
Limited Access
Exterior only
Free Admission
All visitors must have a ticket .
Free tickets can be booked online.
Opening Times: 09:00 - 16:45 (Last Admission)
Roscrea Heritage Centre – Roscrea Castle and Damer House
Limited Access
Roscrea Castle and Damer House closed due to works.
Garden open 08:30 - 16:00.Ross Castle
Limited Access
Escorted visits hourly 10:00 – 17:00 (maximum 6 per visit).
Pre-booking essential by calling 064-6635851.
Ross Castle will close for the 2021 season on 16 November .Royal Hospital Kilmainham
Limited Access
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is open all year for historical guided tours of it's spacious grounds and beautiful gardens.
Unfortunately, as part of the building is closed for refurbishment at present , there is limited access to the interior .
Tours of the grounds and gardens are available daily and are free but due to Covid19 restrictions we need to restrict numbers so booking is essential.
Call 0873422399 or email us at rhktours@opw.ie to book your visit.
Scattery Island Centre
Limited Access
We ask that visitors co-operate with OPW guide staff and adhere strictly to the warnings/instructions issued by them. It is also important to wear suitable footwear (boots or strong walking shoes) as some conditions underfoot are not ideal.Seán Mac Diarmada Cottage
Site Closed
Sligo Abbey
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.St Audoen’s Church
Site Closed
St. Mary’s Church Gowran
Site Closed
Site Closed due to Covid 19 Restrictions
Swiss Cottage
Limited Access
Access to grounds only
Visitor numbers will be restricted
Self-guided
The Blasket Centre – Ionad an Bhlascaoid
Limited Access
Visitor Centre closed for refurbishment.
Viewing point open.
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Limited Access
Free Admission.
Toilets in Visitor Centre open, but closed daily 13:30 – 14:30 for cleaning. Field Toilets are not open.
Visitor Centre open to the public.
Guided Tours daily at 12:00 & 15:00. Meet outside the Visitor Centre. Tour Groups limited to 15 due to Covid-19 regulations.
The Main Guard
Limited Access
Open 24 June - 23 Sep 2021.
Tue - Sun only 09:00 - 17:00. Last admission 16:15.
Closed Mondays.
One Way system in operation.
No toilet facilities.
Tintern Abbey
Limited Access
Outdoors only. Visitor Centre and tower closed.
No guided tours.
Toilets available externally.Trim Castle
Limited Access
Access to the grounds only, no access to toilets and one way system in operation.
Free Admission
