Ireland’s top ten free tourist attractions - PHOTOS

New heritage initiative sees doors open for free

PHOTOS - Ireland’s top ten free heritage sites photo gallery

In a bid to make Ireland's beautiful and historic tourist attractions accessible the Office of Public Works (OPW) has introduced  free first Wednesdays of every month. This means that from July 2011 Ireland's famous heritage sites will be open to everyone.

According to the RTE report the OPW hopes that their initiative will attract more national and international visitors to the site.

Here is our list of the top ten heritage sites that everyone should go and visit -

1. Kilmainham Gaol, County Dublin

Kilmainham Gaol is now a museum but played an important part in Irish history, as many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and some executed in the prison by the British and latterly in 1923 by the Irish Free State.

In the period of time extending from its opening in 1796 until its decommissioning in 1924 it has been, barring the notable exceptions of Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins, a site of incarceration of every significant Irish nationalist leader of both the constitutional and physical force traditions. Its history as an institution is intimately linked with the story of the Irish nationalism.

2. Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195 by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. It was a symbol of Norman occupation and in its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defenses.

In 1967 the property was transferred to the people of Kilkenny for £50.

PHOTOS - Ireland’s top ten free heritage sites photo gallery

3. Newgrange, County Meath

Dating back to 3200 B.C the passage tomb at Newgrange is older than the pyramids in Egypt and is officially a World Heritage site.

A large mound, spread over an acre is surrounded by 97, uniquely carved curbstones. The cremated remains of the dead were buried a large stone basins under the mound in a chamber assessable by a narrow passage.

At dawn on the December 21, the shortest day of the year, every year, sunlight shines directly into the central chamber of the tomb. It is believed that this was an ancient way of measuring the passage of time, like a calendar for the ancient farmers, or that the light has some religious significance for those in the afterlife.

Newgrange is part of the Bru na Boinne complex which includes similar tombs at Knowth and Dowth.

4. Dublin Castle, State Apartments, County Dublin

The State Apartments in Dublin Castle are an extensive suite of rooms which were used by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for personal accommodation and public entertaining. Most of the rooms date from the era of British rule in Ireland.

​
Nster.com