OPW Offers Free Admission to Cork Heritage Sites for National Heritage Week 2026
OPW offers free admission to over 50 heritage sites nationwide, including several in Cork, on Saturday 15 August as National Heritage Week 2026 begins.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced free admission to more than 50 heritage sites nationwide on Saturday 15 August, to mark the opening weekend of National Heritage Week 2026. Several Cork sites are among those included.
National Heritage Week 2026 runs from 15 to 23 August. This year's theme is "Heritage at Risk," encouraging visitors to reflect on aspects of Ireland's heritage that are vulnerable or under threat.
Cork's OPW heritage sites include Charles Fort and Desmond Castle in Kinsale, Barryscourt Castle in Carrigtwohill, Doneraile Estate, Annes Grove Gardens in Castletownroche, Fota Arboretum and Gardens, and Ilnacullin (Garinish Island) in Glengarriff. The OPW's free admission offer on 15 August applies to fee-paying sites nationwide, with the exception of Kilmainham Gaol and Brú na Bóinne, which are not included.
Kevin "Boxer" Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW: "National Heritage Week is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to connect with Ireland's rich cultural and built heritage. I am very pleased the OPW is once again offering free admission to over 50 heritage sites on Saturday, 15 August, giving even more people the opportunity to visit and experience these remarkable places. This year's theme, 'Heritage at Risk', highlights the importance of protecting and preserving the heritage that shapes our communities. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage families, visitors and local communities to explore the extraordinary heritage sites in their area and to engage with the wide range of events taking place across the country during Heritage Week."
Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive, The Heritage Council: "We are delighted to welcome the Office of Public Works once again as a valued partner of National Heritage Week 2026. The OPW's decision to offer free admission to its fee-paying heritage sites on Saturday, 15 August, is a wonderful way to mark the opening weekend of Heritage Week and to encourage more people to discover and engage with Ireland's remarkable heritage."
A full programme of Heritage Week events is running at OPW sites nationwide throughout the week, with a full list available at heritageireland.ie.