All of the places listed here are completely free to visit, and the list includes some of the best museums, heritage sites and historic places in Ireland.
UPDATE:With the introduction in July 2011 of Free Wednesdays you can now also visit any site on the Heritage Card list free of charge every Wednesday
Until the end of 2011 there is free entrance to all historic buildings, monuments and other sites in Ireland that are in the care of the OPW.
The list includes well known places like Kilmainham Goal, Brú na Boinne and Dublin Castle, and heritage sites in every county in Ireland. Get out and enjoy!
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Dunamase Castle, built on a high limestone outcrop overlooking a flat plain, has been a ruin for almost 700 years, but is still worth seeing.
There is a magical atmosphere about the place, and magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.
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The house that once stood here is now gone, lost to fire in 1951, only the impressive entrance gates hinting at previous grandeur.
Thankfully the gardens survived. Designed by Edward Lutyens, and considered among his best gardens, they are surrounded by an earlier planned parkland.
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The fact that all these places are completely free to visit does not in any way make them inferior – some of the most popular visitor attractions in Ireland are on this list.
If you are traveling to Ireland on a tight budget, this is definitely a page you need to print out and take with you.
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Known as the ‘dead zoo’ to Dubliners this is an amazing collection of animals, insects and birds in a beautiful and historic museum building. Sadly it is closed at present for renovation, following the collapse of an old staircase, but it will reopen some time in 2009 – we’ll keep you posted.
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This has always been an excellent museum to visit, especially with children who particularly love the natural history section. It was extensively refurbished in recent years and now has greatly expanded facilities and a regular programme of special events.
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While the tour groups and crowds build up at Newgrange, you can slip quietly past and go instead to Loughcrew, where there are megalithic remains of equal interest without the visitor centre or the admission charges.
It’s a remarkable place, stretching over several miles of hillside, with over 40 ancient monuments dating back as far as 4000BC.
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A visit here is as much to see the wonderful building as it is the art, though there is an excellent collection both inside and around the grounds.
The building is a former home for old soldiers, very similar to Les Invalides in Paris and now beautifully restored after many years of neglect.
Read MoreBrochures from a wide range of tour operators including those offering special interest tours, castle tours or walking and cycling tours which you can have sent to you free.
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The Hugh Lane Gallery houses one of the most important contemporary art collections in Ireland in an interesting Georgian building formerly known as Charlemont House.
The most important exhibit in the gallery is probably the chaotic reconstructed studio of Irish born artist Francis Bacon.
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This vast enclosed park in Dublin houses a Zoo, residences for the president of Ireland and the US ambassador as well as a herd of wild deer.
There are wide open green spaces, secluded glens, grounds for cricket, polo and other sports and a pretty good restaurant in the visitor centre. It’s a wonderful place to explore.
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A nice local museum, with a wide range of exhibits primarily related to Cork city, its history and in particular some of the famous Cork people who are important to Irish history and culture.
There is a pleasant garden outside and a good restaurant.
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