The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced two days of free admission to over 80 heritage sites on August 17th and 18th, the opening weekend of National Heritage Week 2024.
“With more than 80 sites across the country, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. We hope that the public take full advantage of the range of creative, engaging, and imaginative events on offer for all ages,” Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works said at the launch.
Physical routes dot the landscape, roads, paths, boreens, rivers and canals, and remind us that societies have always strived to connect. Across the region locally, many sites are dotted, including Annes Grove Gardens in Castletownroche; Cahir Castle; Desmond Castle, Newcastle West; Doneraile Court and Estate; Dungarvan Castle; Fota Arboretum and Gardens; Holycross Abbey; The Rock of Cashel and The Swiss Cottage, Cahir.
“Our free admission days allow greater numbers of visitors to connect with our past and hopefully gain a deeper appreciation of the breadth and variety of sites cared for by the OPW,” Mr O’Donnell stated.
National Heritage Week, which runs from the 17th to 25th August, focuses on engaging with heritage in all its forms whether as individuals, families, communities or organisations. The OPW invite visitors to explore the links between people and communities, to look at what brings us together and what connects us.
Over the coming weeks, a full programme of OPW National Heritage Week events will be announced. These include an expert-led exploration of medieval pilgrimage in Tipperary at the Rock of Cashel, a collaboration between OPW and NPWS guides at Glendalough, a community-generated exhibition of the social history of the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin.
It should be noted that admission is free to all fee-paying sites except for Kilmainham Gaol Museum. Visit www.heritageweek.ie for a full list of 2024 events.
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