Visitor numbers rise in Clonmacnoise but fail to reach pre-pandemic figures

Over 122,000 people visited Clonmacnoise last year, according to the Office of Public Works (OPW) leaving it in 6th position nationally of all of its paid visitor attractions countrywide.

However, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, over there were over 170,000 visitors to the local monastic site.

The OPW had a very busy year welcoming 15.3 million visitors to their heritage sites in 2023, up from 15 million in 2022.

Emo Court - Parklands and House saw a drop in visitor figures this year to 238,039, down from 350,000 in 2022. Topping the paid for visitor attractions managed by the OPW last year was Kilkenny Castle followed by Dublin Castle, Rock of Cashel and Kilmainham Gaol.

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, 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. It conserves and protects the nation’s built heritage in its care whilst providing public access, interpretation and encouraging the public to visit and engage with the Ireland’s heritage.