The Heritage Card is a fantastic tool for those looking to explore several of Ireland's state-managed Heritage Sites whilst saving money on admission fees.
Over 50 sites are included, from Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Gaol in the capital, to the Rock of Cashel and the Hill of Tara around Ireland (full list below)
Is it worth the investment? Similar to the Dublin Pass it comes down to how many of the sites you intend to visit. The family pass costs €90 for 2 adults and up to 5 children, while a single adult card costs €40. Considering that entrance to something like the Rock of Cashel or Dublin Castle is upwards of €8 per adult or €20+ for a family ticket you'd have to visit 5 sites in the year before seeing a return.
In this article, we'll delve into everything you need to know about the Heritage Card, including where to get it, where it's accepted, and how much you can save.
The OPW Heritage Card: An Overview
The Office of Public Work (Heritage Ireland) is responsible for the daily operations of many state-owned National Monuments and National Historic Properties in Ireland.
The Heritage Card grants holders free admission to all fee-paying state-managed Heritage Sites across Ireland for one year from the date of purchase.
You can buy it online here. This is the booking website linked to from the Office of Public Work. Take care if you purchase from an unofficial source, and that the prices are the same as listed here.
From the terms and conditions:
Cards will be posted free of charge and will be dispatched within 10 working days of purchase …
Heritage Card Terms and Conditions
The card is only valid for use by the signatory on the card and is strictly non-transferable. …
The Card will be dated at the Heritage site on first use. The Card's validity begins from this date.
As it can take some time for the card to be delivered, order in good time. Perhaps a better alternative is to purchase the card at the first site you visit, then there's no stress about receiving the card in time.
Note: if you are coming across the Irish Sea, you may already be covered: English Heritage members are already entitled to free entry to all OPW sites.
Heritage Card Pricing
- Adult: €40.00
- Senior: €30.00 (60 years and over)
- Student/Child: €10.00 (Valid student ID required / Child aged 12-18 years)
- Family: €90.00 (2 adults & 5 eligible children aged 12-18 years)
Prices correct as of 23rd December 2024, from the official website.
Sites Covered
These are all the heritage sites which have free entry with the card:
| County | Site |
|---|---|
| Carlow | Altamont Gardens |
| Clare | Ennis Friary |
| Clare | Scattery Island and Visitor Center |
| Cork | Annes Grove Gardens |
| Cork | Charles Fort Military Fortress |
| Cork | Doneraile Court and Estate |
| Cork | Fota Arboretum & Gardens |
| Cork | Ilnacullin - Garinish Island |
| Donegal | Doe Castle |
| Donegal | Donegal Castle |
| Donegal | Glebe Gallery and Garden - Derek Hill House |
| Donegal | Newmills Corn and Flaxmills |
| Dublin | Áras an Uachtaráin |
| Dublin | Arbour Hill Military Cemetery |
| Dublin | Casino Marino |
| Dublin | Custom House Visitor Centre |
| Dublin | Dublin Castle |
| Dublin | Farmleigh House and Gardens |
| Dublin | Garden of Remembrance |
| Dublin | Government Buildings |
| Dublin | Grangegorman Military Cemetery |
| Dublin | Irish National War Memorial Gardens |
| Dublin | Iveagh Gardens |
| Dublin | Kilmainham Gaol Museum |
| Dublin | National Botanic Garden of Ireland Glasnevin |
| Dublin | Pearse Museum - St Enda's Park |
| Dublin | Phoenix Park and Biodiversity Centre |
| Dublin | Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle |
| Dublin | Rathfarnham Castle |
| Dublin | Royal Hospital Kilmainham |
| Dublin | St Audoen's Church and Visitor Centre |
| Dublin | St Stephen's Green |
| Galway | Athenry Castle |
| Galway | Aughnanure Castle |
| Galway | Dún Aonghasa - Ancient Stone Fort |
| Galway | Hall of the Red Earl Archaeological Site |
| Galway | Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara - Pearse's Cottage and Visitor Centre |
| Galway | Portumna Castle and Gardens |
| Kerry | Ardfert Cathedral |
| Kerry | Daniel O'Connell House - Derrynane House |
| Kerry | Ionad an Bhlascaoid - The Blasket Centre |
| Kerry | Listowel Castle |
| Kerry | Ross Castle |
| Kerry | Sceilg Mhichil UNESCO World Heritage Property |
| Kildare | Castletown House and Parklands |
| Kildare | Maynooth Castle |
| Kilkenny | Dunmore Cave |
| Kilkenny | Jerpoint Abbey |
| Kilkenny | Kells Priory |
| Kilkenny | Kilkenny Castle |
| Kilkenny | St Mary's Church, Gowran |
| Laois | Emo Court and Estate |
| Laois | Heywood Gardens |
| Leitrim | Parke's Castle |
| Limerick | Adare Castle |
| Limerick | Desmond Castle, Newcastle West |
| Limerick | Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Lakeshore Park |
| Longford | Corlea Iron Age Roadway and Visitor Centre |
| Louth | Carlingford Castle |
| Louth | Old Mellifont Abbey |
| Mayo | Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre |
| Meath | Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre Oldbridge Estate |
| Meath | Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre |
| Meath | Hill of Tara |
| Meath | Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery |
| Meath | Trim Castle |
| Offaly | Clonmacnoise Monastic Site |
| Roscommon | Boyle Abbey |
| Roscommon | Rathcroghan Visitor Centre |
| Sligo | Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery |
| Sligo | Sligo Abbey |
| Tipperary | Cahir Castle |
| Tipperary | Famine Warhouse 1848 |
| Tipperary | Nenagh Castle |
| Tipperary | Ormond Castle |
| Tipperary | Roscrea Castle, Gardens & Damer House/Black Mills |
| Tipperary | The Main Guard |
| Tipperary | The Rock of Cashel |
| Tipperary | The Swiss Cottage |
| Waterford | Dungarvan Castle |
| Waterford | Reginald's Tower/ Greyfriars Church |
| Westmeath | Fore Abbey |
| Wexford | Ballyhack Castle |
| Wexford | Ferns Castle |
| Wexford | The John F Kennedy Arboretum |
| Wexford | Tintern Abbey |
| Wicklow | Dwyer McAllister Cottage |
| Wicklow | Glendalough Monastic Site and Visitor Centre |
| Wicklow | National Botanic Garden of Ireland - Kilmacurragh |