What is The National Heritage Park?
It is an outdoor museum which shows you over 9000 years worth of Irish history. It is set in a natural woodland walk which is done up to perfectly depict our history with smoldering fires throughout, fancy dressed tour guides and buildings so intertwined with the nature around them you would believe they have been there all along.
Prices:
- Adult: €9.50
- Family (2 adults + 1 child): €23.00
- Family (2 adults + up to 3 children under 18 years of age): €25.00
- Children 4 years and under are free of charge
- Student/OAP: €8.00
- (A people under 18 must have an adult with them.)
- **EXCITING TIP** Any of you reading from County Wexford can get a discount off your tickets, all you have to do it fill out a form with your addresses and names. We did this and got our €25 family ticket for only €10!
Facilities: Restaurant, picnic benches, shop, bathrooms, guided tours, audio guides, small playground at back of restaurant, interactive activities for kids while going through the park.
Wheelchair/Buggies: The majority of the park is accessible by wheelchair, any trails unsuitable are clearly marked. Mobility scooters can be rented.
Family Friendly: The National Heritage Park is extremely family friendly (We actually brought 2 kids along with us this time,aged 7 and 4, and they both had a ball!) As I said there is interactive activities for kids throughout the park such as panning for gold and weaving forts. They even get a certificate from reception of they can bring back some gold.
Aisling's Advice:
I absolutely adore The National Heritage Park and have been going here since I was a kid. I advise giving yourself at least 2 hours if not half the day to stroll around the park absorbing all the knowledge and history it has to offer. You could also take a guided tour but this can give you more information than the audio guides and plaques but it can limit your time at each location. We started our trip by watching the video in the audiovisual room which can be played at your request. We then set off on our merry way down the muddy paths of the pre-historic era. I myself brought snacks along with us for the two fella's running around so they didn't get too hungry or thirsty during the walk. They loved entering each dwelling and took turns listening to the audio guide. You should definitely follow the lay out of the map as this gives you the chronological order of each site. I recommend when leaving to go to site 12 The Crannog you take the wet woodland trail as this shows you a whole other side to the park. The end of the park (the Norman Castle and Round Tower) are up a large hill and are no accessible for wheelchairs/buggies. However, if you can make it up here there is a play park for the kids and a fantastic view as well as some serious sites. As you make your way back out to your car you can pick up a souvenir in the shop or go for a bite to eat in the Fulacht Fia restaurant.
Ratings: A DEFINITE MUST SEE!
Historical Factors: 4/5 - packed full of Irish history
Aesthetic Factors: 5/5- stunning dwelling built throughout and gorgeous views
Overall Experience: 5/5- a great day had by all!
Check out my video of The National Heritage Park below.
For more info
