The Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre is an archaeological site and exhibition space protecting a 6,000-year-old Stone Age monument beneath blanket bog in Glenurla, Ballycastle, County Mayo. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026, noting that the attraction transitions to an advance-booking-only model during the winter months from November to March.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
| Opening hours | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, daily (12 March to 4 November). |
| Ticket prices | Adults: €5.00, Seniors/Groups: €4.00, Children/Students: €3.00 |
| Address | Glenurla, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, F26 PF66 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site car park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Céide Fields Neolithic Site opening hours
The Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre opening hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily between 12 March and 4 November, with the last admission strictly cut off at 5:15 pm.
During the winter off-season, which begins on 5 November and runs until the start of March, the visitor centre and grounds do not operate standard daily hours. Access during these winter months is restricted and available exclusively for pre-arranged group bookings.
Céide Fields Neolithic Site ticket prices
The Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre ticket prices are €5.00 for general adult admission and €4.00 for seniors or individuals in groups. Students and children are charged a reduced rate of €3.00, while a family ticket covering two adults and accompanying children is available for €13.00.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. The site is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is included in the OPW Heritage Card scheme, an annual pass providing bundled access to other national historic locations such as Brú na Bóinne, Dublin Castle, and the Rock of Cashel.
How to get to the Céide Fields Neolithic Site
You can reach the Céide Fields Neolithic Site by driving along the R314 coastal route, located exactly eight kilometres west of the village of Ballycastle in County Mayo. Because of its remote location on the north Mayo coast, there are no direct public bus or rail links servicing the site, making a private vehicle or commercial tour essential for access.
Parking at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site
Free parking at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site is provided for all visitors in a dedicated on-site car park located immediately off the R314. The car park includes clearly marked spaces for standard vehicles, as well as designated parking bays for coaches and accessible vehicles.
How long to spend at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site
Visitors typically spend between one and a half to two hours at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre. This time frame accommodates viewing the indoor exhibition, observing the outdoor excavation sites, and walking to the cliff-edge viewing platform.
Accessibility at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site
Accessibility at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site is accommodated inside the main building, which features flat exhibition floors and a dedicated wheelchair-accessible toilet. However, the outdoor archaeological terrain includes uneven walkways and soft bogland, which restrict wheelchair and pushchair access beyond the immediate paved areas.
Inside the Céide Fields Neolithic Site
Visitors to the Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre will explore an archaeological site preserving the world’s oldest known stone-walled field systems, dating back almost 6,000 years.
The indoor exhibition building provides context for the site, featuring a preserved 4,000-year-old bog pine tree unearthed from the surrounding peat.
The interpretive displays outline the geological formation of the natural blanket bog and detail the daily lives, agriculture, and tools of the Neolithic farming community that inhabited the area.
Outdoors, visitors can walk among the excavated sections of the prehistoric stone walls, dwelling areas, and megalithic tombs that remain partially embedded within the bogland environment.
A dedicated viewing platform sits on the edge of the adjacent 110-metre-high cliffs, providing visitors with a secure vantage point to observe the coastal rock formations and the Atlantic Ocean.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
| Timing | Arrive before 4:00 pm to ensure enough time to explore the outdoor fields before the final admission cut-off at 5:15 pm. |
| Crowds | Visiting on a weekday morning offers the quietest experience, as summer weekends see higher traffic from coastal road trippers. |
| Layout | The site is divided between the indoor interpretive centre and the exposed outdoor bogland trails. |
| Entry process | Admission fees are paid directly at the visitor centre desk upon arrival using cash or card. |
| On-site logistics | Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear and protective clothing, as the outdoor terrain is uneven and coastal weather conditions change rapidly. |
Frequently asked questions about the Céide Fields Neolithic Site
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Céide Fields Neolithic Site suitable for children? | Yes, the indoor exhibits are educational, though children require close supervision outdoors near the cliff edges and bog pools. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Céide Fields Neolithic Site | Advance booking is not required during the main season, but it is mandatory for winter visits after 4 November. |
| Is the Céide Fields Neolithic Site open on Sundays? | Yes, the site is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays between March and November. |
| Are bags allowed at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site? | Yes, standard day bags and backpacks are permitted throughout the visitor centre and the outdoor trails. |
Things to do near the Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre
- Downpatrick Head sea stack
- Ballycastle Beach
- Stella Maris coastal viewpoint
- Killala Round Tower
- Belleek Castle
More Ireland travel
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- Guide to visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
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- Trace the tale of the Easter Rising at the GPO Museum.
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- Explore Malahide Castle, Newbridge House and Farm and the Skerries Mills to the north of Dublin.
