Ross Castle, County Killarney Photo by Jody Halsted www.havekidwilltravel.com

If your goal while in Ireland is to visit historic sites like Glendalough, the Hill of Tara, the Rock of Cashel and many others you’ll want to consider purchasing an OPW Heritage Card.

The Heritage Card allows unlimited “free” admission into the sites managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for one year.  (The only site managed by the OPW that does not accept the Heritage Card is Muckross House, Gardens & Farms.)

Over 100 sites participate in this program and the card easily “pays” for itself if you only visit a few sites.  For example (using adult prices):

The card has paid for itself in 4 visits.  OPW Heritage Cards are available individually or you can buy a family card which is good for “two adults and a reasonable number of children under 18″.

Card prices in euros (current as of October 2009):

• Adult    21
• Senior  16
• Child/ Student  8
• Family   55
• Children under age 6 are free

The Heritage Ireland website makes it easy to search OPW sites so you can decide, in advance, if the purchase of a Heritage Card is a wise decision.  You can search my region across the top of the web page or use their sitemap, which lists all OPW sites.

Purchasing an OPW Heritage Card is easy, too.  You can buy it at the first OPW Heritage Site you visit.  You can also get more information or purchase them at at the Dublin Tourism Office, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 and at Tourist Offices in Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Limerick, Ennis and Adare.  You can also order cards and have them sent to you by using this form.