Seasonal Guide Information Officer

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

Job summary

Heritage Ireland at National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh invites applications for a seasonal Guide/Information Officer. The role focuses on visitor reception, safety, and guiding tours while promoting the site’s heritage and story.

Candidates must be fluent in English, have heritage awareness, and be comfortable engaging diverse audiences on-site and online. Interviews are likely in November/December; contracts range from 3 to 9 months.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English is essential.
• Heritage awareness and interest in history is desirable.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences on-site and online.
• Must be at least 18 years old on 1 January 2027; retirement at 70.
• Sound judgement and safety awareness are important.

Responsibilities

• Protection of the site and safety of visitors.
• Reception, tickets, and sales of literature/posters.
• Give guided tours and develop tour commentary with supervisors.
• Event management and handling enquiries.
• Maintain reception area and site facilities.
• Operate AV equipment and assist visitors with information.

Skills

Fluency in English

Heritage awareness

Audience engagement

Teamwork

Communication skills

ICT systems

Health and safety awareness

Age 18+ requirement

Tools

ICT systems

Job description

Location National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh 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.

About National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh

There was a monastery at Kilmacurragh, in this tranquil corner of County Wicklow, in the seventh century, and a religious foundation remained right up until the dissolution of the monasteries. After Cromwell invaded the land passed to the Acton family.

By the time the estate came to Thomas Acton in 1854, an unprecedented period of botanical and geographical exploration was afoot. In collaboration with the curators of the National Botanic Gardens, Acton built a new and pioneering garden.

In 1996, a 21‑hectare portion of the old demesne officially became part of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. The following ten years were spent giving the estate’s rare and beautiful plants a new lease of life.

Kilmacurragh is now part of the National Botanic Gardens, providing a complementary collection of plants to its parent garden at Glasnevin. Arrive in spring to witness the transformation of the walks, as fallen rhododendron blossoms form a stunning magenta carpet.

Further details about the history of the gardens and the plant collection at https://botanicgardens.ie/kilmacurragh

Rhododendron Week is an annual event in the calendar (April). The plant collection boasts 180 species of rhododendrons and over 420 varieties. Since taking over the management of the site in 1996, the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland have both restored, and greatly expanded the collection.

Pond vista at Kilmacurragh PhotoCredit Mary O'Neill-Moloney

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
• 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
• 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
• Event Management
• Dealing with detailed enquiries about particular features of the site
• Outdoor duties to include but not limited to Park Stewarding
• Invigilating duties.

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 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.
• A Knowledge of nature conservation /natural heritage/habitats and species is desirable.
• 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.