Frequently Asked Questions

Irish Heritage Trust

The Irish Heritage Trust cares for and brings to life some of Ireland’s most precious historic houses, museums, gardens and parklands, while also developing innovative and compelling visitor experiences at these beautiful places.  These properties comprise:

The Irish Heritage Trust is an independent registered charity that operates on a not-for-profit basis.  The Trust is grateful to be partially funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, but relies for the greatest part on the generosity of donors and visitors to our properties and events.

Yes, the Irish Heritage Trust publishes an annual report which is publicly available on this website.  Click here to download our latest annual report (2022).

All job opportunities are posted here on the Irish Heritage Trust website.  Click here to access the careers section.

Membership

The Irish Heritage Trust is an independent, non-profit organisation committed to protecting and conserving these wonderful places for all to enjoy. Membership is a wonderful way to support Irish heritage conservation, and make the most of Ireland’s wonderful houses and gardens across the changing seasons.

When you become a member of the Irish Heritage Trust you will enjoy:

  • Unlimited entry to Irish Heritage Trust properties at Fota House Arboretum & Gardens (Cork) ;The National Famine Museum | Strokestown Park (Roscommon); and Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens (Wexford).
  • Garden, museum, and tour access across our properties.
  • Discounted and free events across Irish Heritage Trust houses, gardens, and museums.

Yes, you may join the Irish Heritage Trust and renew your membership online.  Please click here to visit our membership section and sign up.

Yes, you may purchase Irish Heritage Trust membership in person at the following locations:

You may also renew your membership in person at the above locations should you so wish.

If you have lost your membership details, please email admin@irishheritagetrust.ie for assistance.

Volunteering

Yes, the Irish Heritage Trust has an award-winning volunteering programme with more than 400 volunteers at its historic properties. Every year, our extraordinary volunteers contribute their time, skills, and enthusiasm to the Irish Heritage Trust in all sorts of practical ways. Our staff appreciate their support and insights, just as much as visitors love the authentic welcome and the local knowledge they share.

Learn more here and see our passionate volunteers talking about why they volunteer with the Irish Heritage Trust at our historic properties:

 

If you would like to volunteer at an Irish Heritage Trust property, please contact us at volunteer@irishheritagetrust.ie:

We will provide you with an overview of the volunteer opportunities available and talk you through the application process. Our Volunteer Co-ordinators are:

Martina Carroll – Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens, Cork.

Jess Sinnott – Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens, Wexford.

Ciara McCormac – The National Famine Museum | Strokestown Park, Roscommon.

No.  We have a wide variety of volunteer roles ranging from once off event-related support to longer-term regular volunteering in our gardens, or seasonal volunteer guide opportunities.  No matter how much or how little time you are able to give to us, it is greatly appreciated and helps us to do many things we would not otherwise be able to do.

Donations

Click here to learn more about how to make a financial donation in support of the work of the Irish Heritage Trust.

Yes, you are free to specify that your donation is used to support a specific project or property.  If you are making a donation online, there is space on the online donation form for you to make your wishes known.

If you are an Irish taxpayer and donate more than €250 to the Irish Heritage Trust in any year you may increase the value of your gift to the Trust by 44.9%. The Government approved tax back scheme can be availed of by signing and completing a CHY3 Enduring Certificate, which can be accessed here.

There is no cost to you and the Trust will claim the tax back from the Revenue Commissioners.  All you need to do is to complete the CHY 3 Form and post it to:

Irish Heritage Trust
11 Parnell Square East
Dublin
D01 ND60

Your Certificate is then valid for five years – it can, of course, be cancelled by you at any time.

The impact of this Certificate is considerable and makes a real difference. For example, should you donate €250 the Trust may claim an additional €112.32 in tax back, meaning the true value of your €250 gift is increased to €362.32

There is a four-year time limit for making a claim under this scheme.

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