A screenshot from the website of Heritage Ireland - where you can buy the Heritage Card.

🕐 Last updated: February 17, 2025

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
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.

Heritage Card Terms and Conditions

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
CarlowAltamont Gardens
ClareEnnis Friary
ClareScattery Island and Visitor Center
CorkAnnes Grove Gardens
CorkCharles Fort Military Fortress
CorkDoneraile Court and Estate
CorkFota Arboretum & Gardens
CorkIlnacullin - Garinish Island
DonegalDoe Castle
DonegalDonegal Castle
DonegalGlebe Gallery and Garden - Derek Hill House
DonegalNewmills Corn and Flaxmills
DublinÁras an Uachtaráin
DublinArbour Hill Military Cemetery
DublinCasino Marino
DublinCustom House Visitor Centre
DublinDublin Castle
DublinFarmleigh House and Gardens
DublinGarden of Remembrance
DublinGovernment Buildings
DublinGrangegorman Military Cemetery
DublinIrish National War Memorial Gardens
DublinIveagh Gardens
DublinKilmainham Gaol Museum
DublinNational Botanic Garden of Ireland Glasnevin
DublinPearse Museum - St Enda's Park
DublinPhoenix Park and Biodiversity Centre
DublinPhoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle
DublinRathfarnham Castle
DublinRoyal Hospital Kilmainham
DublinSt Audoen's Church and Visitor Centre
DublinSt Stephen's Green
GalwayAthenry Castle
GalwayAughnanure Castle
GalwayDún Aonghasa - Ancient Stone Fort
GalwayHall of the Red Earl Archaeological Site
GalwayIonad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara - Pearse's Cottage and Visitor Centre
GalwayPortumna Castle and Gardens
KerryArdfert Cathedral
KerryDaniel O'Connell House - Derrynane House
KerryIonad an Bhlascaoid - The Blasket Centre
KerryListowel Castle
KerryRoss Castle
KerrySceilg Mhichil UNESCO World Heritage Property
KildareCastletown House and Parklands
KildareMaynooth Castle
KilkennyDunmore Cave
KilkennyJerpoint Abbey
KilkennyKells Priory
KilkennyKilkenny Castle
KilkennySt Mary's Church, Gowran
LaoisEmo Court and Estate
LaoisHeywood Gardens
LeitrimParke's Castle
LimerickAdare Castle
LimerickDesmond Castle, Newcastle West
LimerickLough Gur Visitor Centre and Lakeshore Park
LongfordCorlea Iron Age Roadway and Visitor Centre
LouthCarlingford Castle
LouthOld Mellifont Abbey
MayoCéide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre
MeathBattle of the Boyne Visitor Centre Oldbridge Estate
MeathBrú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
MeathHill of Tara
MeathLoughcrew Megalithic Cemetery
MeathTrim Castle
OffalyClonmacnoise Monastic Site
RoscommonBoyle Abbey
RoscommonRathcroghan Visitor Centre
SligoCarrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
SligoSligo Abbey
TipperaryCahir Castle
TipperaryFamine Warhouse 1848
TipperaryNenagh Castle
TipperaryOrmond Castle
TipperaryRoscrea Castle, Gardens & Damer House/Black Mills
TipperaryThe Main Guard
TipperaryThe Rock of Cashel
TipperaryThe Swiss Cottage
WaterfordDungarvan Castle
WaterfordReginald's Tower/ Greyfriars Church
WestmeathFore Abbey
WexfordBallyhack Castle
WexfordFerns Castle
WexfordThe John F Kennedy Arboretum
WexfordTintern Abbey
WicklowDwyer McAllister Cottage
WicklowGlendalough Monastic Site and Visitor Centre
WicklowNational Botanic Garden of Ireland - Kilmacurragh