A newly upgraded visitor centre at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery has officially opened and ministers have performed the ribbon cutting on 1 April 2026.
The Office of Public Works in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage has invested over €1.5m in the facility as part of the Tourism Capital Investment Programme. The centre will provide improved interpretation alongside enhanced accessibility upgraded toilet facilities an all weather shelter and better internal and external layouts.
Carrowmore features the largest collection of Neolithic tombs in Ireland with over 30 monuments that date back almost 6,000 years. The site forms part of the Passage Tomb Landscape of Sligo which has appeared on Ireland tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. The upgraded amenities will optimise visitor flow and comfort at the location which opens seasonally from March to November.
Minister Kevin Boxer Moran and Minister Christopher O’Sullivan have joined local representatives including the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Donal Gilroy and Minister Frank Feighan along with OPW staff for the event. The development supports heritage presentation at one of Ireland oldest megalithic sites.
Minister Kevin Boxer Moran shared “This investment represents a significant enhancement to one of Ireland most important archaeological sites. The improved visitor centre will allow us to present the story of Carrowmore in a more engaging and accessible way while ensuring the long term protection of this remarkable landscape.”
Minister Christopher O’Sullivan shared “Carrowmore is a site of outstanding cultural and historical importance. This investment ensures that its story can be shared with a wider audience while supporting the conservation of our archaeological heritage for future generations.”
Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment Peter Burke shared “This investment directly supports the Government tourism policy objective to drive more balanced regional growth by strengthening high quality visitor experiences outside the main urban centres. The project demonstrates how strategic capital investment can unlock the potential of regional assets sustain local employment and contribute to long term sustainable growth in communities beyond the traditional tourism hotspots.”
Orla Carroll Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland shared “Strategic investment in sites like Carrowmore is central to Fáilte Ireland work to drive sustainable regionally balanced growth in tourism. The upgraded visitor centre will greatly enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Sligo position as a standout cultural destination encouraging people to spend more time in the county and explore its wider network of exceptional megalithic sites.”
