Chances are you’ve been looking forward to your trip to Ireland for some time. You’ve probably set aside a significant amount of hard-earned cash, taken time off from work, school, or other commitments, and now want to make the most of your holiday. To accomplish that, you’ll need to plan carefully. The aim of this section is to provide you with the information you need, and to answer any questions you might have, including: When to go? How to get there? Should you book a tour or travel independently? And how much will it all cost? Here you’ll find plenty of resources to help get the most out of your Irish adventure.

Buy the Heritage Card, Save Money

The Heritage Card is a pass that allows you free entry to almost all historic sites owned or managed by the Irish government. Given that these include some of the country's most popular attractions, this can be a big saving. The card costs €21 for adults, €16 for seniors, €8 for children, and €55 for families. You can buy them at any of the site ticket offices, or at www.heritageireland.ie.

Dozens of sights listed in this guide take Heritage Cards, including: Aughnanure Castle; the Blasket Centre; Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery; Céide Fields; Charles Fort; Clonmacnoise; Dublin Castle; Fota House; Glendalough; Glenveagh National Park; the Hill of Tara; The Iveagh Gardens; Jerpoint Abbey; the John F. Kennedy Arboretum; Kilmainham Gaol; Kilkenny Castle; Muckross House; the National Botanic Gardens; the Rock of Cashel; and Trim Castle.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.