Seasonal Guide Information Officer

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

Job summary

Office of Public Works seeks enthusiastic seasonal guides for Ross Castle to present Ireland’s heritage to visitors. The role covers visitor reception, ticketing, and delivering engaging guided tours while ensuring safety and compliance with site rules.

Candidates should have fluency in English, a passion for history, and the ability to engage diverse audiences on-site and online. Training and a team-oriented environment are provided.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English.
• Heritage awareness and an appreciation and interest in history.
• Ability to engage with diverse audiences on-site and online.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Sound judgement and decision making in emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Protect the site and ensure visitor rules are observed.
• Reception duties: welcome visitors, manage tickets, sell materials.
• Give guided tours and develop commentary with supervisors.
• Assist with online booking management where applicable.
• Contribute to health and safety and quality customer service.

Skills

Fluency in English

Heritage awareness

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Communication skills

Tools

ICT systems

Job description

Location Ross Castle Closing Date 16/10/2026 Rate of pay €15.69 (Entry Level) – Please refer to booklet for pay scale Job Type Fixed Term Contracts

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.

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.

Ross Castle perches in an inlet of Lough Leane. It is likely that the Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór built it in the fifteenth century.
Legend has it that O’Donoghue still slumbers under the waters of the lake. Every seven years, on the first morning of May, he rises on his magnificent white horse. If you manage to catch a glimpse of him you will enjoy good fortune for the rest of your life.
Ross Castle was the last place in Munster to hold out against Cromwell. Its defenders, then led by Lord Muskerry, took confidence from a prophecy holding that the castle could only be taken by a ship. Knowing of the prophecy, the Cromwellian commander, General Ludlow, launched a large boat on the lake. When the defenders saw it, this hastened the surrender – and the prophecy was fulfilled.

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 English
• 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.

Contracts will vary in length from 3 to 9 months.