Celebrating Creativity as we Age – Minister Moran announces free admission on 23 May for all Senior Citizens to OPW sites

• Diverse programme of events across May to align with the Bealtaine Festival
• Initiative with Transport for Ireland offering free entry for Senior Citizens to Heritage sites on the Local Links network
• Nursing home residents to take a virtual Heritage tour in pilot scheme

The Office of Public Works (OPW) today 28 April announced a programme of events and initiatives for Senior Citizens at various heritage sites across the country to align with the Bealtaine Festival- “Celebrating Arts and Creativity as We Age” this May. From musical performances to yoga to drawing groups; there is a range of diverse and exciting events on offer.

On Friday 23 May, there will be a free admission day for senior citizens at all fee paying heritage sites*. This initiative aims to encourage all senior citizens to get out and engage with their cultural heritage and avail of the OPW’s carefully curated and engaging visitor experiences.

Speaking at the programme launch, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin “Boxer” Moran said:

“The OPW is delighted to collaborate with Age and Opportunity on this initiative. It is wonderful to see the wide range of events that our sites have on offer to support the Bealtaine festival.

I am pleased to announce that the OPW will offer free admission to Heritage sites on Friday 23 May for all Senior Citizens. We hope that visitors take full advantage of the range of creative, engaging, and imaginative events on offer over the month of May.

"We are fortunate to have such incredible castles, monuments and historic properties across the country. We work hard to conserve and protect them and present them to public. I am pleased to see a diverse range of regional sites like Sligo Abbey, Charles Fort and Donegal Castle hosting such wonderful events for our Senior Citizens.’’

At Parkes Castle, Co Leitrim a peaceful Chair Yoga session in its serene surroundings is planned, while Sligo Abbey will host a lively sing-along with The Cloister Boys as well as tours to meet different levels of mobility.

Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin has a number of guided tours on offer throughout the month of May. Meanwhile, the recently opened Emo Court, Co Laois will offer guided tours of both the historic walled garden and the Historic Sculpture Trail.

The Custom House, Dublin is hosting a drawing morning while Glendalough Visitor Centre is hosting a floral workshop involving the local active retirement group. Glendalough will also host an art presentation in collaboration with local groups.

Charles Fort, Co Cork will host a special free tour where guides will regale participants with tales of life within the British Army, while Farmleigh House will host a special guided tour taking participants on a journey from the eighteenth century to the present day.

Donegal Castle will host an event with local active retirement groups while Dublin Castle will run a series of workshops including Origami Flower Workshops and an Azure Dementia Inclusive Workshop. Meanwhile, Lusk Round Tower, Co Dublin will offer free guided tours on selected dates.

Dr Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager for Bealtaine, commented:

‘’On this very special 30th anniversary of Bealtaine, we are so pleased to collaborate with the OPW in this initiative to widen access for older people to important cultural sites and creative experiences around the country.

We hope that people coming to the sites will experience the Bealtaine spirit of fun as well the potential in all of us as we age’’

The OPW will also run a pilot at St Attracta’s Residence, Charlestown, Co Mayo, in recognition of National Arts in Nursing Home Day. Participants from St Attracta’s will have the opportunity to use virtual reality headsets and experience a virtual tour of an OPW heritage site from the comfort of their armchair.

As well as the programme of events, a ‘Local Links to the Past’ scheme will also be launched in collaboration with Transport for Ireland, offering senior citizens free entry to 11 OPW sites on the Local Links network when they present their Local Link ticket or travel pass.

For more information on the programme of events for Bealtaine, please visit https://heritageireland.ie/whats-on/bealtaine/ or bealtaine.ie

Kilmainham Gaol and Bru na Boinne are excluded from the list of sites who will participate in the free admission initiative on Friday 23 May, due to capacity constraints.

Notes

The offer of free admission for senior citizens on Friday 23 May applies on an individual basis, and free admission does not apply to accompanying group members who are not Senior Citizens.

Free admission to all fee-paying sites except for Kilmainham Gaol Museum. For a full list of OPW Heritage Sites, please see heritageireland.ie

The 11 sites included in the Transport for Ireland Local Links initiative are set out below. This offer is valid 1-31 May 2025. Free admission to fee- paying OPW Heritage sites is granted upon presentation of valid travel pass or TFI Local Link ticket.

• Glendalough Monastic Site & Visitor Centre
• Donegal Castle
• Parkes Castle
• Ionas an Bhlascaoid – the Blasket Centre
• Ennis Friary
• Charles Fort Military Fortress
• Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
• Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre – Oldbridge Estate
• Portumna Castle and Gardens
• Sligo Abbey
• Kilkenny Castle

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.