The Office of Public Works and Transport for Ireland collaborate for National Heritage Week 2025
-
From: Office of Public Works
- Published on: 12 August 2025
- Last updated on: 12 August 2025
The Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Transport are collaborating once again this Heritage Week for the Transport for Ireland (TFI) ‘Local Link to the Past’ initiative.
This is the second year that the OPW and the Department of Transport have collaborated on this exciting initiative and supports a shared goal between the OPW, the Department of Transport, and TFI to encourage sustainable travel while offering greater access to the richness of Ireland’s heritage.
The TFI Local Link Service is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a major national transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority, with the aim of increasing connectivity and a sustainable method of travel, particularly for people living outside major cities and towns.
With additional sites added, visitors to participating heritage sites will enjoy free admission when they show a complimentary pass given to them by the bus driver this Heritage Week.
The theme of this year’s Heritage Week is 'Exploring our Foundations' and the TFI Local Link services makes this possible by connecting rural communities with some of Ireland’s most iconic heritage sites, including monastic settlements, castles, historic houses and gardens.
Speaking about the initiative, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, said:
“The OPW is delighted to collaborate with Transport for Ireland’s Local Link Network in support of Heritage Week this August. Our partnership aims to highlight the Local Link service, and we are delighted to extend this initiative and include more sites so visitors across the country can avail of this fantastic service.
We are fortunate to have such iconic sites in rural Ireland on the Local Link network – including Donegal Castle, Sligo Abbey, Charles Fort Military Fortress, and Kilkenny Castle so I am encouraging everyone to avail of this magnificent service and get out to visit your local heritage site.”
Jeremy Ryan, Director of Public Transport Services at the National Transport Authority, said:
“We are delighted to support the ‘Local Link to the Past’ initiative this Heritage Week, in partnership with the Office of Public Works, to connect our passengers with Ireland’s historic landmarks.
The expansion of participating sites underscores our commitment to accessible, affordable, sustainable travel across rural Ireland. By offering complimentary passes for heritage site entry through Local Link services, we’re not just supporting public transport—we’re celebrating our culture, our history and our communities.
We encourage everyone to make the most of this initiative and enjoy free access to heritage sites across Ireland during National Heritage Week.”
To mark the opening day of Heritage Week, the OPW is offering free admission to over 70 fee-paying heritage sites on Saturday, 16 August.
This initiative forms part of a wider programme of events at OPW Heritage Sites during Heritage Week. With over 100 events on offer, visit heritageireland.ie for the full schedule of events.
Sites participating in the Local Link to the Past campaign:
Glendalough Monastic Site and Visitor Centre
Route 183, Sallins to Arklow
https://locallinkckw.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TFI-LL-R183-Sallins-to-Arklow-WEB5.pdf
Donegal Castle
292 Ballyshannon to Donegal Town and 293 Glencolmcille to Donegal Town
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TFI-LL-DSL-R292-Dec23-WEB-FA.pdf
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/293-Glencolmcille-to-Donegal-Town.pdf
It is also possible to reach on Bus Erieann’s 30 and 30x, 492, 480, and 64 routes
Parkes Castle
563 Sligo-Dromahair Local Link bus and the 566 Sligo-Dowra
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Route-563Timetable-FA.pdf
https://locallinkdsl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/129551-SITT-TT-566-Dowra-to-Sligo-6pg-DL.pdf
Ionad an Bhlascaoid – the Blasket Centre
Route 277a and 227b Dingle Daingean Uí Chúis – Ceann Trá – Baile an Fheirtéaraigh – Dún Chaoin
https://www.locallinkkerry.ie/dingle/
Ennis Friary
318, 331, 335, 337, 339, 342, 344, C23
https://www.locallinklc.ie/clare-routes/
Charles Fort Military Fortress
253C
https://locallinkcork.com/schedule/253c-kinsale-to-charlesfort/
Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
850
Battle of the Boyne – Oldbridge Estate
163
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/TFI-LL-R163-FA-WEB.pdf
Portumna Castle and Gardens
547
https://www.locallinkgalway.ie/dynamic-timetables/route-547---portumna-to-ballinasloe
322
Kilkenny Castle
897
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TFI-LL-CKW-R897-June2023-WEB.pdf
Sligo Abbey
563, 566, 572, 977 and 981
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Route-563Timetable-FA.pdf
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TFI-LL-DSL-R566-Dec23-FA-WEB4.pdf
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TFI-LL-DSL-R572-May24-FA-WEB.pdf
https://locallinkdsl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/981-Coolaney-to-Sligo-6pg-DL-30th-Oct.pdf
Adfert Cathedral
TFI Local Link Kerry Route 274
TFI-LL-Kerry-R274-June25-WEB-FA.pdf
The Rock of Cashel
TFI Local Link Tipperary Routes 828 & 855
TFI-LL-Laois-OffalyTipperary-May2021.V4.pdf
Reginalds Tower
TFI Local Link Waterford Route 358
TFI-Local-Link-Waterford-Route-358-May25.pdf
Doneraile Estate
TFI Local Link Cork Route 523
Notes
· This offer is valid for National Heritage Week which runs from the 16th to 24th August 2025.
· Free admission to fee- paying OPW Heritage sites is granted upon presentation of complimentary pass given to you by the bus driver.
· Organised by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events.
· OPW- run heritage sites tell the story of the connections between our people, heritage, communities and culture. With more than 100 events taking place across country, and free admission day* on 16th August, there is something for everyone to enjoy Visit heritageireland.ie for more information.
*Excludes Kilmainham Gaol and Brú na Boinne.