Manx National Heritage and Office of Public Works sign reciprocal agreement

Manx National Heritage (MNH) has signed a new reciprocal agreement with the Office of Public Works (OPW), the agency responsible for State managed Heritage Sites throughout Ireland.

The new agreement will further enhance Manx National Heritage’s membership scheme, which is operated by the Friends of Manx National Heritage (FMNH) and now enables members who are resident in the Isle of Man to use their membership cards at a range of historic properties in Ireland. In return OPW cardholders will be able to use their cards at Manx National Heritage sites throughout the Isle of Man.

Edmund Southworth, Director of MNH said:

“We are pleased to have facilitated this new agreement for our Friends members. They have contributed over £1 million in charitable support to the work of Manx National Heritage, most recently making a significant financial contribution to our new education facilities at Quirks Croft, Cregneash.

As a token of our appreciation and an added benefit of membership, our members will now be able to enjoy over 70 Historic Properties in Ireland including Ross Castle which sits within Killarney National Park and the Blasket Centre in Kerry which commemorates the Blasket Islanders and their unique literary heritage”.

FMNH members who are resident on the Isle of Man receive free or reduced admission to some 600 properties throughout Britain operated by the National Trust, English Heritage, Scottish National Trust and Historic Scotland, Cadw, York Archaeological Trust sites and now Office of Public Works (OPW). They are also entitled to free or reduced admission to properties controlled by the Trusts of Australia, New Zealand, The Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Malta. These arrangements are reciprocal and help to encourage many thousands of members of these organisations to visit the Isle of Man each year.

Ms. Clare McGrath, Chairman of the Office of Public Works said:

"I am delighted that these reciprocal arrangements have been put in place and I would like to welcome and encourage FMNH members to come and visit the wonderful range of heritage sites that Ireland has to offer. The OPW has responsibility for 780 National Monuments and Historic Properties and provides a guide service at 70 of these, including such iconic sites as Kilmainham Gaol, The Rock of Cashel and Clonmacnoise. Full details may be viewed at www.heritageireland.ie".