Seasonal Guide Information Officer

Heritage Ireland; Dunquin; On-site; EUR 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Heritage Ireland is seeking enthusiastic Guides to join the Blasket Centre team in Dunquin, Co. Kerry. The seasonal role focuses on welcoming visitors, delivering engaging tours, and upholding safety and site rules.

Candidates should be fluent in Irish, knowledgeable about local heritage, and capable of working with diverse audiences. The position is a fixed-term contract with a role centered on public-facing education and visitor experience.

Qualifications

• Fluency in Irish is essential.
• Heritage awareness and an interest in history.
• Understanding of historical reasoning and research methods.

Responsibilities

• Protection of the site and safety of visitors.
• Welcoming visitors and providing site information.
• Developing and delivering engaging tours and exhibitions.
• Handling admissions, tickets, and sales of literature.
• Operational duties including outdoor supervision and invigilation.

Skills

Irish fluency

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Public speaking

Tools

ICT systems

Job description

Location Ionad an Bhlascaoid – The Blasket Centre Closing Date 16/10/2026 Rate of pay €15.69 (Entry Level) – Please refer to booklet for pay scale Job Type Fixed Term Contracts - Fluency in Irish is essential for this Site

Our key job is to manage and maintain the most important of Ireland’s historic buildings and heritage. We take meticulous care of the 780 heritage sites in our charge and at the 70 sites with visitor services, we work hard to present them to their best potential, making sure that we give visitors from Ireland and abroad the best experience we possibly can.
Would you like to work to promote and present our heritage sites to the public? Visitor Services of the Office of Public Works currently seek enthusiastic people to join their dedicated Guide Team.

Testimonials
Our Guides represent the public face of the OPW, showcasing Ireland’s most important heritage sites. The Guide Service plays a vital role in conserving and presenting selected sites and ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the visitors.
Heritage Guides provide unique and memorable experiences for visitors from all over the world. It is a rewarding and enjoyable job for those who enjoy sharing their expertise and enthusiasm with others.

In Dunquin, the most westerly parish on the Dingle Peninsula, is a unique heritage centre and museum. The Blasket Centre tells the story of the Blasket Islands and the tiny Irish speaking community who lived there until the mid-20th century. The Centre is also a stunning piece of architecture in itself.

The complete upgrade of the Centre in 2022, with its totally renewed and interactive exhibitions, provides an imaginative and authentic re-telling of the story of the Blasket islands, their rich heritage and unique literature. The Centre is a Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point and a highlight of any visit to the Dingle Peninsula. The site incorporates a fully accessible clifftop viewing platform that offers dramatic views of the Blasket archipelago and the Atlantic coastline.

About the position

The role of the seasonal guide/information officer will include:

Protection of the site

• Ensuring that any rules for visitor are observed
• Being responsible for security and safety at the site
• Supervising visitors so as to maintain order and prevent interference with the site.
• Assist in the development and implementation of educational activities.
• Assist in the development of exhibitions and running events, if required.

Visitor reception & related issues

• Welcoming visitors to the site
• Introducing visitors to the site and its facilities
• Administering admission tickets and receipts
• Selling literature, postcards and posters
• Counting money and reconciling receipts
• Counting stock
• Keeping reception area and other site facilities clean and tidy
• Operating audio visual or other appropriate equipment
• Dealing with phone enquiries
• Handling bookings for the site
• Dealing with enquiries about the area and its visitor facilities.
• Assisting in the operation of the online booking management system for both individual and business (Tour Operator) visitors – where applicable
• Collation and production of statistics on visitor numbers

Promotion and interpretation of the Site

• Familiarisation with all aspects of the importance and story of the site
• Developing own tour commentary in conjunction with supervisor and other guides
• Giving guided tours
• Adapting a guided tour to suit a particular group
• Dealing with detailed enquiries about particular features of the site
• Outdoor duties to include but not limited to Park Stewarding
• Invigilating duties.
• All candidates must be capable of carrying out all duties associated with the post.

In addition, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Candidates must have:

• Fluency in Irish is essential
• Heritage awareness and an appreciation and interest in history
• An understanding of historical reasoning and research methodology
• Ability to engage with a programme for diverse audiences, individuals and communities, on-site and on-line.
• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age on 1st January 2027. Retirement is compulsory on reaching 70 years of age. Candidates will be required to provide an original birth certificate or Passport for age verification purposes as part of the pre-employment process. No appointment to the position will be made to those candidates who do not meet the age criteria
• The ability to work as part of a team and interact with colleagues, managers and the public in a tactful, courteous and professional manner.
• The ability to contribute to and maintain a good team spirit
• The willingness to take direction
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including confidence and an ability to address groups
• Sound judgement and decision making ability, especially in emergency situations
• Concern for clarity and work quality
• Experience of working with ICT systems and procedures
• Thorough awareness of health and safety procedures. Work must be performed in an efficient and safe manner, in accordance with the directions of the supervisor / manager, with regard to self, colleagues and the public through understanding, observance and application of Health and Safety requirements
• Awareness of the need to protect the site
• Commitment to Quality Customer Service

Interviews will most likely take place in person during the month of November and December.