Kilkenny Castle & Parklands was the most visited ticketed site under the auspices of the Office of Public Works in 2023 increased as overall numbers increased by 300,000 compared to the previous year. Saint Stephen’s Green is the most visited free site with 4,039,090 visitors.
The Office of Public Works has expressed a positive response to the strong visitation, with 15.3m visitors exploring Ireland’s historic castles, gardens, and monuments.
Recreational areas like St Stephen’s Green, Phoenix Park, and Doneraile Park experienced a continued increase in visitor numbers, highlighting the popularity of these outdoor spaces for both tourists and locals.
High visitor volumes were noted at attractions including the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin Castle, and the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, showcasing the demand for cultural and natural attractions in Ireland.
Regional sites such as Céide Fields, Clonmacnoise, and Cahir Castle also saw a rise in visitors, emphasizing the diverse range of historical and natural landmarks attracting tourists to different parts of the country.
Numbers at Castletown House and Gardens in Celbridge fell back to 698,229 from 1,070,673 two years ago as access to the site was controversially curtailed by a private landowner.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan said: “The rise in visitation reflects the continued interest and appreciation for Ireland’s rich cultural heritage among tourists and locals alike.
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. We have fortunate to have such a rich and diverse collection of landmarks across the country. The continued investment by the State in our heritage portfolio- from ancient monuments to medieval castles- is so important for the safeguarding and preservation of our built heritage. It is wonderful to see the continued upward trend in visitor numbers to both the paid attractions and the recreational spaces which the public can access for free, all year round.”
- Kilkenny Castle & Parklands 546,354
- Dublin Castle 534,014
- Rock of Cashel 357,273
- Kilmainham Gaol 258,154
- Dún Aonghasa 144,153
- Clonmacnoise 122,718
- Ross Castle 116,587
- Brú na Boinne Newgrange & Knowth 114,934
- Trim Castle 113,591
- Charles Fort Kinsale 96,253
