heritage services office of public works

Heritage ServicesOffice of Public Works

National Monuments and Historic Properties

Responsible for the conservation, care and maintenance of approx. 800 National Monuments and Historic Properties in State ownership

Approximately 330 sites accessible to the public

260 of these unstaffedVisitor ServicesProvides guide service at 70 Heritage Sites26 of 70 staffed sites open year round.3.4m visitors in 2011

OPW Heritage Services

National Historic Properties

National Monuments

Guide Service – Engage with

visitorsInterpretationSchools

ProgrammeEventsHeritage Week

OPW Visitor Services

Heritage Week

Events at OPW Sites

Events – Criteria and Limitations

Event appropriate to site

Site must be safely accessible

Visit the site!!Availability of OPW staff

www.heritageireland.ie

Event Management Plan

Safety StatementPublic Liability

InsuranceFee

The Gathering 2013

Clan Gatherings Local Heritage Community based events

Community groups and Local

Authorities invited to work with

OPW to raise awareness of the

sites under its care, generate

more visitors and extend the

open hours and seasons of

seasonal sites.

Community Involvement Initiative

Sites must be OPW managed and have safe public access. Demonstrate knowledge of the site and of similar sites; Demonstrate commitment in terms of time and personnel; Outline the relevant experience possessed by the group in

heritage/tourism areas; Proposal must be financed by group or be cost neutral to OPW; The proposal must contribute to the promotion of the site; The proposal must support the OPW in its management and

conservation work; The proposal must contribute to local tourism and local economic

development OPW will retain responsibility for interpretation and presentation.

E-mail communities@opw.ie

Criteria and Limitations

CommitmentHealth & SafetyCustomer ServiceQuality of informationAppropriateness of eventsExpectation of groups

Challenges

TrainingLiaisonPublicise on HeritageirelandInitiatives

Free WednesdaySchools SchemeNew ideas

Corporate Branding

OPW Support

OPW and Cruachan AiCollaboration began in 2009 following

purchase of additional lands by StateCruachain Ai provides visitor centre facilities:

InterpretationGuided tours to State owned and privately

owned sites.Provides community involvement in sitesLiaison with landownersLiaison with other OPW managed sitesEnsures safety of and reports any damage to

sites

Glendalough Field SchoolKnockroeRathgallKnowth

OPW and UCD