Heritage Card Ireland: An Easy Way To Save Money During Your Visit

The OPW Heritage Card is a one-year pass that gives free entry to fee-paying, state-managed heritage sites across Ireland and it’s well worth getting for most people!

State-managed sites include everything from the incredible Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin and the potentially haunted Dunmore Cave in Kilkenny to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Cahir Castle and plenty more.

Whether the card is worth buying depends on a couple of different factors, which I’ll take you through below.

The OPW Heritage Card Ireland

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the day-to-day management of many of Ireland’s state-owned National Monuments and historic properties.

The OPW Heritage Card gives the cardholder free admission to all fee-paying, state-managed OPW heritage sites for 12 months from first use.

How much the OPW Heritage Card costs

The Heritage Card, similar to the Dublin Pass, is pretty decent price-wise. The prices below are how much you’ll pay if you buy the card from one of the OPW heritage sites mentioned below.

• Adult: €40
• Senior (60+): €30
• Student: €10 (valid student ID required)
• Child (12 – 18): €10
• Family: €90 (2 adults + up to 5 children aged 12 – 18)
• Children under 12: Card not needed

Where you can buy one

You don’t need to buy the OPW Heritage Card in advance. The easiest option is to purchase it in person at your first fee-paying OPW site, where it becomes valid immediately.

The card can also be bought online via the official OPW website, but avoid third-party sellers, as some add unnecessary fees without offering any extra benefit.

What sites the OPW heritage card gives you free admission to

The OPW Heritage Card gives free entry to a wide range of fee-paying, state-managed heritage sites across Ireland, including castles, abbeys, visitor centres, and historic houses.

Below is a practical list of some of the most popular OPW sites included with the card, covering the places most visitors are likely to explore.

Heritage sites in Dublin

• Kilmainham Gaol
• Rathfarnham Castle
• Farmleigh
• Dublin Castle
• Casino Marino

Kerry and Galway

• The Blasket Centre
• Gallarus Oratory
• Derrynane House & National Historic Park
• Ardfert Cathedral
• Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh
• Portumna Castle and Gardens
• Aughnanure Castle
• Athenry Castle

Cork, Donegal and Kilkenny

• Newmills Corn and Flax Mills
• Donegal Castle
• Garnish Island
• Charles Fort
• Kilkenny Castle
• Jerpoint Abbey
• Dunmore Cave

Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford

• Glendalough Visitor Centre
• Tintern Abbey
• JFK Memorial Park and Arboretum
• Reginald’s Tower

Tipperary and Offaly

• The Swiss Cottage
• Roscrea Castle
• Rock of Cashel
• Ormond Castle
• Cahir Castle
• Clonmacnoise

Sligo and Roscommon

• Sligo Abbey
• Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
• Boyle Abbey

Mayo and Meath

• Trim Castle
• Hill of Tara
• Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
• Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
• Céide Fields

Limerick, Louth, Leitrim and Laois

• Old Mellifont Abbey
• Adare Castle
• Parke’s Castle
• Emo Court

How much you can save

The OPW Heritage Card offers the most value to families spending one week in Ireland or more and to people living in Ireland who plan to visit several heritage sites over the year.

For individuals living in Ireland, the €40 adult card usually pays for itself after 7–8 site visits, as many OPW attractions charge €5 or more for entry.

Example: Savings for a family visiting Ireland

Take a family of five visiting Ireland for 7 days, stopping at major OPW sites such as Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle, Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Abbey, Dunmore Cave, Reginald’s Tower, Tintern Abbey and Charles Fort.

• Total admission without a card: €129
• OPW family card: €90
• Saving: €39

Example: savings for a family living in Ireland

Now take a family of five visiting OPW sites over four weekend trips during the year:

• Total admission across four weekends: €183
• OPW family card: €90
• Saving: €93

If you enjoy visiting castles, abbeys and historic sites regularly, the OPW Heritage Card is one of the simplest ways to cut admission costs without locking yourself into a tight itinerary.

Find more useful info on planning a trip to Ireland in our dedicated tourist information hub.