Free entry to Newgrange Ireland Brú na Bóinne free entry

Sceala Clann T.D. Location: Longford

Press release from the Office of Public works.
Free entry to Newgrange
05-06-2011 Free access to OPW Heritage Sites

Tuesday 5th July 2011.
PRESS RELEASE

Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) announces free access to all OPW Heritage sites on the first Wednesday of every month, starting tomorrow Wednesday 6th July.
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The Minister said “I have decided to waive the entry fee to all OPW managed heritage properties in order to stimulate an interest in our built heritage and to encourage visits by a wider section of all communities living in Ireland, in addition to visitors from abroad.”

The Minister continued: “I have decided that this free day, which is aimed at the independent traveller, will be the first Wednesday of each month and will apply, as a pilot project, until the end of 2011 when it will be reviewed and I would encourage people to visit heritageireland.ie where further information on all OPW managed sites with a guide service can be viewed.”
Ends.

For further information please contact Neil Ryan, OPW Press Office (046) 942 6128 or (087) 947 5552 or e-mail neil.ryanATopw.ie
I noted that RTE are reporting that a small charge applies to some sites including Newgrange, that is not what the minister clearly states above.
RTE
Access to most historic sites managed by the Office of Public Works will be free today and on the first Wednesday of every month for the rest of this year.
It is part of a new initiative to encourage more national and international visitors to sites such as the Rock of Cashel, Clonmacnoise and the State Apartments in Dublin Castle.
The decision was made by Minister of State responsible for the OPW Brian Hayes, who said it was done to stimulate interest in the built heritage of the country.
Access to most is free but for some sites such as Kilmainham Gaol, Kilkenny Castle and Newgrange adult visitors pay a fee of between €3-11 each.
The OPW is responsible for the maintenance and management of over 750 national monuments around the country.
The move is not purely aimed at encouraging overseas visitors to tour the sites.
Mr Hayes said he hoped a wider cross-section of all communities living in Ireland would take the opportunity to explore these national treasures.
The scheme will last until the end of the year when its success or otherwise will be reviewed.
Muckross House & Gardens, Muckross Traditional Farms and Glenveagh Castle are excluded from the scheme.

World Heritage Site:Brú na Bóinne
The Bend of the Boyne, or Brú na Bóinne, has been an important ritual, social and economic centre for thousands of years. Internationally renowned for its elaborate Neolithic passage tombs, and containing the largest assemblage of megalithic art in Europe, its universal value was recognised in 1993 when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre interprets the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The extensive exhibition includes a full scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange as well as a full model of one of the smaller tombs at Knowth.
All admission to Newgrange and Knowth is through the Visitor Centre, there is no direct access to these monuments. Visitors are brought from the Visitor Centre to the monuments by shuttle bus.
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre Newgrange and Knowth
Contact Details
Address: Donore, Co. Meath.
Telephone No: +353 41 988 0300.
Fax No: +353 41 982 3071.
Email: brunaboinneATopw.ie
Opening Hours

Newgrange is open all year round except for December 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th.

Knowth is open from Easter to 28th October.
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Last admission to the Visitor Centre is 45 minutes before closing.
Average Length of Visit:
A Exhibition: 1 hour.
B Exhibition and Newgrange: 2 hours.
C Exhibition and Knowth: 2 hours.
D Exhibition and Newgrange and Knowth: 3 hours.

Opening Times:
Feb - April; Daily 09.30 - 17.30.
May: Daily 09.00 - 18.30.
June - Mid Sept: Daily 09.00 - 19.00.
Mid - End Sept: Daily 09.00 - 18.30.
October: Daily 09.30 - 17.30.
Nov - Jan: Daily 09.00 - 17.00.

Admission Fees
A Adult: €3.00
Sen/Group: €2.00
Child/Student: €2.00
Family: €8.00

B Adult: €6.00
Sen/Group: €5.00
Child/Student €3.00
Family: €15.00

C Adult: €5.00
Sen/Group: €3.00
Child/Student: €3.00
Family: €13.00

D Adult: €11.00
Sen/Group: €8.00
Child/Student: €6.00
Family: €28.00
Brú can now accept Debit and Credit Cards.
Facilities

Car / Bus park, minibus shuttle service to Newgrange and Knowth, viewing areas. Centre fully accessible to visitors with disabilities - including toilet facilities. Tourist information point. Picnic area.
Restaurant/Tearooms: Tearooms seating capacity 110.
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Location: 2 km west of Donore Village on the South side of the river Boyne.
Directions: For visitors who use Satellite Navigation Systems, please note that your destination is Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. GPS Co-Ordinates:
Latitude 53.694567 Longtitude -6.4463

Bus Route(s): Bus Eireann operates a bus service between the Visitor Centre and Drogheda, (operating twice daily Mon - Sat from 26/03/10, with no Sunday service). This service (163) runs in conjunction with the service to Drogheda from Dublin. Please click here for route timetable. Contact Bus Éireann, Travel Centre +353 1 8366111 or +353 41 983 5023.

For further detailed information please click on the following link: Location and Directions

Guided Tours : Newgrange Knowth
Maximum Number 24 48
Duration 1 hour 15mins
1 hour 15mins

Last tour of monuments 1 hour 45 mins before closing time of the centre.
All groups of 15 or more must be pre-booked.

Tickets for indivduals and small groups are sold on a first come first served basis and cannot be reserved in advance.

Leaflet/Guide book: English, Irish, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese.

Seasonal Events: Please check in advance using contact details listed above.

Photography / Video allowed: Yes, except inside the chamber at Newgrange. Permit required for commercial purposes.

Audiovisual presentation:
Seating: 30.
Duration: 7 minutes.
Language: English, Irish, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Please note that this is a very busy site and visitors may experience a delay during the summer months. If visiting Newgrange and Knowth, access is not guaranteed. Groups which have pre-booked are expected at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre at the appointed time, not at the monuments.

It is advisable to arrive as early in the day as possible to avoid the disappointment of finding all the tours for that day sold out.

For information on next year's Solstice Lottery please click Winter Solstice 2011
Research: The Heritage Council is currently drafting a Research Framework for Brú na Bóinne re-assessing key priorities and looking where future research should be directed.
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