The Office of Public Works (OPW) has recorded strong visitor growth at five of its heritage sites in Donegal.
The 2023 data highlights a continued trend in the number of visitors to historic castles, gardens and monuments across the country.
Donegal Castle, the most popular heritage site in the county, saw its visitor numbers increase from 55,476 in 2022 to 63,072 last year.
Next is the Glebe House and Gallery (main pic) which saw numbers rise from 39,337 to 44,364 during the same period.
Doe Castle, Creeslough, was a close third with numbers going from 34,370 in 2022 to 37,120 last year.
Grianán of Aileach (16,592 to 17,919) and Newmills Corn and Flax Mills (1,604 to 2,494) also saw impressive increases.
As Doe Castle, Grianán of Aileach and Newmills Flax Mills are free to enter, a counter mechanism is used to measure numbers.
Nationally, the number of recorded visitors last year exceeded 15.3 million, up from 15 million in 2022.
The numbers show the top heritage locations in each of two categories: Paid Visitor attractions and Free Access Sites. Iconic Irish heritage sites such as Kilmainham Gaol, The Rock of Cashel and Glendalough continue to play a pivotal role for both domestic and international tourism. The major parks, such as the Phoenix Park, St. Stephen’s Green and parklands around Doneraile Court have remained top of the list, continuing the trend of visitors utilising these recreational spaces.
In Dublin, Farmleigh Estate saw a 13% increase in visitors, while a number of regional sites have also seen an increase in their visitor volumes. Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór- which was the winner of the European film location award last year, recorded an increase of 20%. The Céide Fields, Co Mayo, which received a €2.6m state investment in 2022 for its new immersive visitor centre experience recorded a 38% increase on the previous year. Ionad an Bhlascaoid – The Blasket Centre, Co Kerry saw a 58% increase in visitors in 2023 , while Clonmacnoise Co Offaly saw a 29% increase.
The data indicates a continued upward trend and visitor interest in Ireland’s cultural legacy and underscores the importance of preserving such invaluable assets for future generations.
Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., said: “The 780 sites under the care of the Office of Public Works contribute to the local sense of place, the local economy and are great places for domestic and international tourists to enjoy. The 2023 visitor data clearly indicates that there is a strong interest in heritage tourism and that an increasing number of visitors regard Ireland’s heritage sites as great places to visit.”
The OPW is responsible for caring, maintaining and operating 780 important heritage sites.
Its remit is to conserve and protect the nation’s built heritage in its care whilst providing public access, interpretation and encouraging the public to visit and engage with Ireland’s heritage.
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