What is an Irish Heritage Card? Is it worth it?

What is an OPW Heritage Card?

Irish Heritage Cards are provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) for the Republic of Ireland. They are a government organization that takes care of historic houses, parks and gardens in the States care along with national monuments and historic sites. They are the perfect addition to your dream trip to Ireland.

The Heritage Card Ireland can be purchased for a small sum and it will give you free admission to all the OPW-managed sites located throughout the country.

There are 52 sites listed as free with the Heritage Ireland (OPW) Card but at some locations, there may be a charge for parking or other services so keep that in mind. You can also purchase a British Heritage card which will give you access to many sites in N. Ireland and they have created a partnership with Heritage Ireland that gives you access to sites in the ROI as well.

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Some heritage sites in Ireland are already free. Dunamase Castle, for example, is free, as is the ruined Abbey in Donegal Town.

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Irish Heritage Card Attractions

1. Adare Castle – Adare Heritage Centre, Adare, Co. Limerick – Open June to September
2. Ardfert Cathedral – Ardfert, Tralee, Co. Kerry – Open late March to late September
3. Athenry Castle – Athenry Castle, Co. Galway – Open late March to early October
4. Aughnanure Castle – Oughterard, Co.Galway – Open late February to late November
5. Battle of the Boyne – Oldbridge Estate Drogheda, Co. Meath – Open January to December
6. Boyle Abbey – Boyle, Co. Roscommon – Open late March to late September
7. Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (Newgrange and Knowth) – Donore, Co. Meath – Open January to December 
8. Cahir Castle – Cahir, Co. Tipperary – Open January to December
9. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery – Carrowmore, Co. Sligo – Open late March to early November
10. Casino Marino – Marino, Dublin 3 – Casino means a small house this one has 16 finely decorated rooms.
11. Castletown – Celbridge, Co. Kildare – Open March to mid-December. Park open year-round.
12. Céide Fields – Ballycastle, Co. Mayo – Open mid-March to October
13. Charles Fort – Summer Cove, Kinsale, Co. Cork – Open January to December
14. Clonmacnoise – Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co. Offaly – Open January to December
15. Derrynane House, National Historic Park – Caherdaniel, Co.Kerry – Open mid-March to early December
16. Desmond Castle Kinsale – Cork Street, Kinsale, Co. Cork – Open June to September
17. Donegal Castle – Donegal Town, Co.Donegal – Open January to December
18. Doneraile Court – Doneraile, Co. Cork – Open January to December
19. Dublin Castle – Dame Street, Dublin 2 – Open January to December
20. Dún Aonghasa – Aran, Co.Galway – Open January to December
21. Dunmore Cave – Ballyfoyle, Co. Kilkenny – Open mid-March to October
22. Emo Court – Emo, Co. Laois – Open late May to early October
23. Ennis Friary – Abbey Street, Ennis, Co. Clare – Open April to November 1
24. Farmleigh – Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 – Open January to December
25. Gallarus Oratory – Gallarus, Dingle, Co. Kerry – Open January to December but the visitors centre is closed in winter.
26. Glebe House and Gallery – Glebe, Churchill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal – Open late May to early November
27. Glendalough Visitor Centre – Glendalough, Co. Wicklow – Open January to December
28. Glenveagh Castle – Churchill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal – Open January to December
29. Hill of Tara – Navan, Co. Meath – Open late January to December
30. Ilnacullin (Garinish Island) – Glengarriff, Bantry, Co. Cork – Open April to November 3
31. The Blascaod Centre – Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Trá Lí, Co.Chiarraí – Open late March to early November
32. Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara – A Connemara Cultural Centre
33. An Gort Mhór, Rosmuc, Co na Gaillimhe – Open January to December
34. Jerpoint Abbey – Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny – Open January to December
35. JFK Memorial Park and Arboretum – New Ross, Co. Wexford – Open January to December
36. Kilkenny Castle – Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny – Open January to December
37. Kilmainham Gaol – Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 – Open January to December
38. Muckross House & Gardens – National Park, Killarney Co. Kerry – Open January to December
39. Old Mellifont Abbey – Tullyallen, Drogheda, Co. Louth – Open late May to early September
40. Ormond Castle – Castle Park, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary – Open late March to early November
41. Parke’s Castle – Fivemile Bourne, Co. Leitrim – Open late March to early October
42. Portumna Castle – Portumna, Co. Galway – Open January to December
43. Rathcroghan Visitor Centre – Cruachan Aí, Tulsk, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon – Open January to December
44. Rathfarnham Castle – Rathfarnham Road, Dublin 14 – Open January to December
45. Reginald’s Tower – The Quay, Waterford – Open January to mid-December
46. Rock of Cashel – Cashel, Co. Tipperary – Open January to December
47. Roscrea Castle and Damer House & Blackmills – Castle Street, Roscrea, Co.Tipperary – Open late March to late September
48. Ross Castle – Killarney, Co. Kerry – Open March to early November
49. Sligo Abbey – Abbey Street, Sligo, Co. Sligo – Open late March to October
50. Tintern Abbey – Wexford – open March to October
51. Trim Castle, Co. Meath – Open January to December 

A Heritage Card gives free entrance to all the places listed above for a period of one year. This includes more than 50 heritage sites all over the country, some of which are among the most popular places to visit in Ireland.

Download the Irish Heritage Card brochure here.

How much does an Irish Heritage Card cost?

The Irish Heritage Card is a fantastic value for the cost. Children under 6 are free and a family is considered 2 adults and up to 5 children.

Adult      €40

Senior (over 60) €30

Child (under 18)  €10

Family   €90

Should you Buy an Irish Heritage Card?

If you want to visit some of the most incredible sites in Ireland the answer is yes. Even if you only visit half a dozen of the sites you are saving money.  

Here’s a typical itinerary from Dublin to Waterford: Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, Kilkenny Castle, Tintern Abbey, Glendalough, Jerpoint Abbey, JFK Memorial Park and Arboretum, Dunmore Caves & Reginald’s Tower you will spend €53 compared to the OPW Heritage card at €40.

Where do I Buy an Irish Heritage Card?

OPW Irish Heritage cards can be purchased at any of the sites your first visit and they are valid for one year from the day you purchase it.

Depending on the site you purchase your OPW Card from you may need cash to buy it as some places don’t have credit card machines.

Can I use my English Heritage Card in Ireland?

Planning on visiting Ireland and England? Until recently, your English Heritage card would mean nothing if you tried to use it in Ireland. Not anymore.

Thanks to a recent initiative between English Heritage and Ireland’s Office of Public Works (OPW), your card is now a key into some of Ireland’s most beautiful and historically important heritage sites. You simply have to become a member of  English Heritage and your card will be accepted at all the OPW Heritage Card sites in Ireland.  

So, what is your favourite historic place in Ireland to visit?

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Faith Coates

Faith was born in Ireland and raised in Canada and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

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