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These heritage sites in Dublin, Kilkenny and Tipperary take in the most money
Dublin Castle, the Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle attracted the numbers and made the big bucks.
THE ROCK OF Cashel, Dublin Castle and Kilkenny Castle take in the most money of all 70 of the national heritage sites.
The Office of Public Works maintains a guided visitor service at these sites on either a full-time or seasonal basis.
The latest figures, released by Minister of State Sean Canney, are for counted visitor numbers and takings for 2015.
All monies are collected through direct sales at sites including admission fees, publications and other sales, heritage cards, car parking, gift shop etc, but excludes income from franchises, concessions and venue hire.
Dublin Castle tops the list for 2015, with some 231,178 visitors, taking in €1,315,916.
The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary attracts more visitors at 300,749 visitors, making €1,300,369.14.
Kilkenny Castle took in €1,075,695, attracting 282,588 visitors.
More than 326,635 people visited Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, taking in €1,035,470.88.
Other famous Irish sites are also proving popular with tourists, with some 79,182 visitors making their way to Glendalough in Wicklow.
More than 150,000 visitors stopped by Newgrange in 2015, spending close to €700,000.
Other sites to make sizable amounts of cash include:
Blasket Centre
- €112,413.45
- 48,261 visitors
Bru na Boinne
- €110,758.98
- 44,705 visitors
Knowth
- €245,401.00
- 69,057 visitors
Cahir Castle
- €137,560.96
- 68,532 visitors
Clonmacnoise
- €744,159.60
- 157,660 visitors
Dún Aonghasa
- €289,755.50
- 120,104 visitors
It’s a Bank Holiday weekend – do you plan on paying one of these spots a visit? If you have any tips of some hidden gems to visit around the country, share them in the comments section below.
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