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.Askeaton Castle
Limited Access
Access to outside spaces only.Athenry Castle
Limited Access
Grounds only, open daily Monday - Sunday .
Free Admission.
The basement of the castle will open to the public from Friday 14th of May.Aughnanure Castle
Limited Access
Grounds open daily
Opening times 09:30 to 18:00, last admission 17:15
Castle will remain closed.
Free admission to grounds.
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.Ballyhack Castle
Site Closed
Barryscourt Castle
Site Closed
Battle of the Boyne
Limited Access
Visitor Centre open from 10 May 2021 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
All admission to Newgrange and Knowth is through Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre only.
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 only
Visitor numbers will be restricted
Self-guided
No toilets available
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Limited Access
Access to outdoors only from 26 April 2021.
Self- Guided tours only.
Public Toilets closed.
Free Admission.Casino Marino
Limited Access
The Casino is closed until further notice.
Grounds only open to Public.Castletown House and Parklands
Limited Access
From 12 May 2021: House open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00-17:00)
Self-Guided visits of the Ground Floor
Pleasure Gardens Open 7 days 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Parklands open 07:00 – 22:00
Pre-booking essential.
Café Takeaway only 10:00 – 17:00
Céide Fields
Limited Access
Site open from 22 May 2021.
Visitor Centre closed for renovations.
Toilets closed .
Café closed.
Free admission.Charles Fort
Limited Access
Access to outdoor areas from 29 April 2021.
Visitor Centre and other internal Exhibition spaces closed.
Please note that toilets facilities are available at weekends only. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Open daily 11:00 - 16:30 with last entry at 16:00.
Self -guided visits only.
One-way directional system in operation.
2 metre social distancing applies.Clonmacnoise
Limited Access
Open daily from 10:00-17:30, last admission 17:00, carpark barriers closed at 17.30. Access to outside spaces only. Self-guided visit only. Toilets available.
Coffee shop closed.
The use of drones is prohibited.
The bus park will be closed from the 18th June 2021 until further notice due to remodelling works taking place. There will be parking available for cars during this period
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
Site Closed
Doneraile Estate
Limited Access
Gardens open from 29th April. 10am to 4pm
Doneraile House open to the public from Thursday 13th May.
Thursday - Sunday incl- 10am to 4.45pm
Ground floor only - self-guiding - (max 4 per tour) Gardens included, Self-Guided as part of House Tour ticket. 10am to 4.45pm
Tickets available at Ticket office onsite
First House entry 10am – Last entry 4.45pm
only Guide dogs will be allowed
Ca2Ca Tea Rooms open for take away only.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.Dungarvan Castle
Limited Access
Open daily 10:00 - 18:00. Last Admission 17:15
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday, 8 & 9 June (this week only)
Visitor access to external areas only.
Toilets closed to the public.
Dunmore Cave
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.Dwyer McAllister Cottage
Site Closed
Emo Court
Limited Access
House Closed
Gardens/Parklands Open
Café Takeaway only
Ennis Friary
Site Closed
Closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.Famine Warhouse 1848
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.Farmleigh House and Estate
Limited Access
House & Galleries Closed
Gardens/Parklands Open
Café Take-away only
Ferns Castle
Limited Access
Site re-open 22 May 2021.
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 will commence on Friday 30 April, 2021
Toilets open from 27 April 2021 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
Site Closed
Ilnacullin – Garinish Island
Limited Access
Gardens open daily from 28 May, 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
Site Closed
Site Closed - Due to Government Restrictions.Listowel Castle
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictionsLoughcrew Cairns
Limited Access
Access to outside spaces only.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
Access to courtyards only
Toilets not available
Numbers may be restricted and there may be some queuing to enter
Parke’s Castle
Limited Access
Courtyard, Forge and Garden areas open.
Interior of castle closed.
No Guided tours.
Free admission.Phoenix 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 for cocooners daily.
Portumna Castle and Gardens
Limited Access
Grounds open 10:00 - 18:00
Last admittance 17:15
The ground floor of the castle will open on Friday 14 May 2021.
Toilet facilities are available on site
Tea Rooms open for takeaway only.
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
Heritage Centre closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Gardens only open, Monday - Friday 08:30 - 16:00.Ross Castle
Limited Access
Ross Castle re-opens Friday 14th May.
Escorted visits hourly 10:00 – 17:00 (maximum 6 per visit).
Pre-booking essential by calling 064-6635851.
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 would ask that all 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
Skellig Michael
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Click here for 2021 Season Update
Further updates will appear here as they become available.Sligo Abbey
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.St Audoen’s Church
Site Closed
St. Mary’s Church Gowran
Site Closed
Swiss Cottage
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Blasket Centre – Ionad an Bhlascaoid
Limited Access
Visitor Centre closed for refurbishment.
Viewing point open.
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Limited Access
“Arboretum open May - August 10:00 - 20:00.
Free Admission.
Public toilets open, however closed daily between 13:30 and 14:30 for cleaning.
Visitor Centre open to the public.
Guided tours not available at present”
The Main Guard
Site Closed
Site closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.Tintern Abbey
Limited Access
Open Daily 09:30 - 17:00, Last Admission 16:30. From 1 June, Open Daily 09:30 - 17:30, Last Admission 17:00.
Outdoors only. Visitor Centre and tower closed.
No guided tours.
Toilets available externally.Trim Castle
Limited Access
Trim Castle will be closed to the public on Wednesday 16 June until 13.30 - apologies for any inconvenience
Access to the grounds only, no access to toilets and one way system in operation.
Free Admission
