The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands Ms Síle de Valera announced this evening that a number of heritage sites, closed for well over a month because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, are to be reopened to the public.
Ms de Valera said nine locations nationwide were being permitted to open again on a phased basis from today, subject to all visitors observing disinfection procedures.
She also made it clear that people from infected areas, or those who had been in contact with susceptible animals, should continue to stay away.
The move followed a campaign headed by the Minister for Tourism, Dr Jim McDaid, at home and abroad to persuade would-be visitors that Ireland was open for business and foot-and-mouth free.
Last week, Dr McDaid confirmed that St Patrick Day celebrations, postponed at the height of the alert in mid-March, would go ahead next month.