Summer 2021 – Ancient East and Dublin- Fact Sheet
Fact Sheets-What’s Open Summer 2021 –
Dublin and the Ancient East
This summer is going to be another staycation season as foreign travel will not be possible for most of us. The OPW runs a number of Ireland’s most important visitor attractions and to encourage people to visit them they are giving free entry for this year. The following is a list of these attractions by county and we have included a few which are independent of the OPW. Some have not reopened fully and may only allow access to outdoor areas but indoor access may become possible as the Covid vaccination program is rolled out further. We have included links for booking access we offer on Activity Days.
Ireland has six national parks, each with its own unique features, five of which are on the western side of the country. Wicklow is the only national park in the east of the country. So with fewer overseas visitors around why not get out and enjoy these wonderful sites and our national treasures. Get planning a trip with the help of Activity Days Ireland.

The information has been divided up into 3 blogs for ease of use.
- Ancient East and Dublin – East Coast
- Wild Atlantic Way – Cork to Donegal
- Hidden Heartlands
Meath
1. Brú na Bóine Visitor Centre – Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth
Exhibition open, cafe take away and pre-book all tours with a bus to Newgrange and Knowth. Access to outside of each site only.
For Dowth go direct to the site via N51, outside only.
2. Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
House and visitor centre open, cafe take away. Gardens and parklands open between Slane and Drogheda.
Dublin City Centre
3. Book of Kells, Trinity College, Dublin
Pre-book Book of Kells visit (tcd.ie ) which includes access to the Long Room, one of Ireland’s most impressive library spaces. Details on literature in Dublin here.
4 St Stephen’s Green
Open as Normal
5. National Museum
Kildare Street and Collins’ Barracks re-opening. The Natural History Museum on Merrion Square is closed for refurbishment. Most facilities are free with pre-booking for the Archaeology branch only in Kildare St on museum.ie . Exhibitions on Ireland’s Gold, Clontarf 1014 and Glendalough. Details on Museums blog
6. Dublin Castle
State Apartments for self-guided tours. Gardens and coach house gallery open with an exhibition of 100 Lithographs: Dante’s Divine Comedy, by Liam Ó Broin.
7. National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Re-opened and free with New Perspectives exhibition (€5 entry) with paintings purchased in the last decade. Lovely shop with art books, prints and much else.

8. GPO Museum, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Re-opening on May 19th with an exhibition on 1916 Easter Rising.
9. Royal Hospital Kilmainham
Gardens and parklands open.
10. St Stephens Greens, Iveagh Gardens, Garden of Remembrance, Arbour Hill
Open as normal.
Dublin North Side
11. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin.

Gardens and parklands open but visitor centre closed, take-away cafe and toilets available.
12. Farmleigh House and Estate
House and galleries closed but gardens/parklands open. Take-away cafe open.
13. Croke Park GAA Stadium
14. Glasnevin Cemetery, Grangegorman Military Cemetery, War Memorial Gardens Islandbridge

Open as normal
Dublin South Side
15. Rathfarnham Castle
Castle open to self-guided tours only with takeaway cafe.
16. St Enda’s Park and Pearse Museum
Gardens and parklands open, take-away cafe. Museum closed.
Wicklow
18. Wicklow Mountains National Park
The Wicklow Mountains are the largest upland area in Ireland covering 20,483 hectares with many walking and cycling trails.
19. Kilmacurragh Gardens, Kilbride, Co Wicklow
The gardens and arboretum with rare plant species beside the ruins of an 18th-century mansion are open with toilets and a take-away cafe.
20. Glendalough

Access to outdoor spaces only.
Carlow
21. Altamont House and Gardens, Tullow, Co Carlow
Gardens, parklands, and take-away cafe open. Has a national collection of snowdrops.
Kilkenny
22. Kilkenny Castle and Demense
Castle open, self-guiding only. Gardens/parklands open. Tearoom outdoor service only. Playground COVID protocols apply.
23. Jerpoint Abbey. Kells Priory
Access to outdoor spaces only.
Wexford
24. JKF Arboretum
Visitor centre open, café closed but mobile service in operation. Playground COVID protocols apply.
Waterford
25. Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden
This 18th century estate has one of the great gardens of the world, about 10 minutes drive from Waterford. House closed to the public.
26. Lismore Castle
Lismore Castle is not open to the public but parts of the estate are laid out with gardens featuring lawns and flower beds. Visits need to be pre-booked.
If we left out any places which are open to visit please let us know so can add to
the information. Activity Days Ireland offer the best local guided activity
for all the family – pre-booked online with confidence. Enjoy the summer in Ireland.

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