Accessibility underpins our mission at the Irish Heritage Trust. We believe everyone should be able to connect with Ireland’s heritage, culture and landscapes, and we are committed to making Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens as accessible and welcoming as possible.
We are continually working behind the scenes to improve our facilities and visitor experience, helping to ensure that everyone can enjoy a positive and relaxing visit.
Johnstown Castle is a historic estate, so visitors will experience a mixture of historic buildings, formal gardens and natural landscapes. It is a family-friendly destination with plenty to explore across the estate. Some areas are quiet and peaceful, while others can become busier at weekends, during school holidays and around events. You can expect:
• Historic buildings and interiors
• Outdoor paths and natural surfaces
• Gardens, lakes and woodlands, including a children’s playground
• A guided castle tour
• A self-guided museum with displays and audio visuals
• Café and visitor facilities
We hope the information below will help you plan your visit so that there are no surprises when you arrive. If you have access needs or concerns in advance, please feel free to contact us. Our Visitor Services Team can be contacted on 053 9184671 or email info@johnstowncastle.ie. We will be happy to help.
There are 7 disabled parking bays directly outside the front visitor centre entrance, located 20 metres from the front door on a flat tarmac surface. Wheelchairs are available to borrow.
The visitor centre is fully accessible, including the Peacock Café and Gift Shop. We have a fully accessible toilet and dedicated baby changing facililities.
Johnstown Castle is accessible by lift, and it is visited as part of a guided tour. Our experienced guides are available to assist visitors with access needs. Please note that the historic servants’ tunnel has an uneven surface.
The Irish Agricultural Museum located next to the visitor centre is fully accessible, with flat surfaces and ramps. The Walled Gardens and 1.2km Lower Lake Walk are accessible. Unfortunately our historic glasshouse is not accessible.
Assistance and guide dogs are welcome at Johnstown Castle.
The historic nature of Johnstown Castle means that visitors will encounter a variety of lighting levels and environments throughout the castle and estate.
If you are visiting with a visual impairment and would like additional information before your visit, please contact our Visitor Services Team.
Please allow approximately 10 minutes to get from the Visitor Centre to the castle before your guided tour. Castle tours are popular, and advance booking is recommended.
There are a number of seats available throughout the tour which is approximately 60-minutes in length.
Our spacious Peacock Café and Shhop are located in our modern visitor centre which is fully accessible. The Café seats up to 120 people both indoors and outdoors.
Our menu caters to a variety of dietary requirements including vegetarian and gluten free options.
Johnstown Castle is set within a large historic estate, with ornamental gardens, lakes, woodland and walking routes including our 1.2km accessible lower lake walk. There are plenty of benches and rest areas around the lakes. As it is a large site there is always somewhere quiet to explore, particularly the garden lake and lower lake.
Please be aware that outdoor surfaces vary and may include paved, gravel, grass and natural surfaces. Conditions may change depending on weather.
Any questions?
Our Visitor Services team can be reached on 053 9184671 or email info@johnstowncastle.ie and we will be delighted to help.
