Heritage Ireland Tickets: Beware of Scams

During the busy tourist season, we are seeing an increase in fraudulent websites, online advertisements and third-party sellers offering tickets to Heritage Ireland sites.

Some websites may look like official Heritage Ireland websites or use Heritage Ireland and OPW branding to appear legitimate. Others may appear in search engine results or online advertisements.

To make sure you purchase your tickets safely, please follow these guidelines.

Buy your tickets from an official source

The safest way to purchase Heritage Ireland tickets is through the official Heritage Ireland website and the ticketing links provided there. www.heritageireland.ie

Always check the website address before purchasing. Do not assume that a website is official simply because it appears at the top of a Google search, is shown as an advertisement or uses Heritage Ireland or OPW branding.

Be particularly cautious of websites claiming to be an “official Heritage Ireland website”, “official ticket seller”, “authorised seller” or “official partner” if you have not reached the website through the official Heritage Ireland website.

Check the website address carefully

Fraudulent websites can be designed to look very similar to genuine websites. Before entering your personal or payment details, check:

Is the website address the official Heritage Ireland address?
Did you access the ticket page directly through the Heritage Ireland website?
Does the website clearly identify the organisation or company selling the ticket?
Are contact details and terms and conditions clearly provided?
Are the prices and ticket information consistent with those shown on the official Heritage Ireland website?

If you are unsure, leave the website and return to the official Heritage Ireland website to access the ticketing service.

Be wary of unusually high or low prices

Check the official ticket price before making a purchase.

Be cautious of websites charging significantly more than the official price, particularly where additional fees are not clearly explained.

Equally, be suspicious of websites offering tickets at unusually low prices or making claims such as “best price guaranteed” or “exclusive discount”.

Beware of claims of guaranteed or priority access

Be cautious of websites advertising “guaranteed entry”, “priority access”, “skip the queue” or similar claims.

Make sure you understand exactly what the ticket provides and whether any additional service is included.

Read the description carefully and check the date, time, admission arrangements and conditions attached to the ticket.

Don’t rely solely on search results or reviews

Fraudulent ticket websites can appear in search engine results and may use online advertising to attract visitors.

A website appearing prominently in search results does not mean that it is an official Heritage Ireland ticket seller.

Similarly, reviews and testimonials should not be relied upon on their own to establish that a website is legitimate.

What if tickets are sold out?

If tickets are unavailable through the official Heritage Ireland ticketing service, be cautious of another website claiming to have tickets available.

Do not assume that a third-party website can guarantee admission simply because it states that tickets are available.

Check the official Heritage Ireland website for the most up-to-date information on ticket availability and admission arrangements.

If you think you have found a fraudulent website

If you encounter a website or online advertisement that you believe is falsely presenting itself as an official Heritage Ireland ticket seller, please report it to the OPW at the following email address info@opw.ie.

Where possible, provide the website address, screenshots and details of the advertisement or transaction. This information can assist us in investigating fraudulent activity and taking appropriate action.

If you have already provided payment details to a website that you believe may be fraudulent, contact your bank or card provider and report it the An Garda Síochána immediately.

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau advises victims of cyber-attacks of any form be reported to their local Garda Station in the first instance. See link here https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/cyber-crime/.

Remember

Always start your ticket search on the official Heritage Ireland website.

Check the website address before making a purchase, and be cautious of websites that claim to be official, use misleading advertising, charge unexpected fees or offer tickets at prices that seem too good to be true.

If in doubt, don’t buy.

Online Booking

https://heritageireland.ie/visit/online-booking/

The sites below offer online ticket sales. Direct links to the sites’ booking pages below.

Annes Grove
https://donerailecourt.admit-one.eu/

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre: Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth

https://brunaboinne.admit-one.eu/

Cahir Castle

https://cahircastle.admit-one.eu/

Castletown House and Parklands

https://castletown.admit-one.eu/

Charles Fort Military Fortress