If you are looking for affordable days out with the kids this August, here’s one that’s worth knowing about.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced that all visitors under the age of 18 will receive free admission to participating OPW heritage sites throughout August. Previously, the scheme only applied to younger children, so this is good news for families with teenagers too.
There are more than 70 heritage sites around Ireland taking part, including castles, abbeys, historic houses, gardens and visitor centres. Whether you’re planning a staycation or just looking for somewhere different to spend a few hours, there are plenty of options.
Some of the sites in the west that are well worth a visit include:
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Co. Sligo
- Sligo Abbey
- Parke’s Castle, Co. Leitrim
- Céide Fields, Co. Mayo
- Boyle Abbey, Co. Roscommon
- Portumna Castle, Co. Galway
- Athenry Castle, Co. Galway
One thing to remember is that children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and normal adult admission charges still apply. Some sites also recommend booking online in advance, particularly during the school holidays.
Ireland has some incredible heritage sites, many of which we drive past without ever stopping. This initiative is a great excuse to tick a few off the list, whether it’s climbing a castle tower, wandering through ancient ruins or discovering somewhere you’ve never visited before.
If you’re planning a few day trips this August, it’s definitely worth seeing if there’s an OPW site nearby.
You can find the full list of participating sites and book tickets where required on the Heritage Ireland website.
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