Fáilte Ireland has published its annual survey of Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions for 2018.
Once again the Guinness Storehouse tops the list with over 1.7 million visitors last year.
The Cliffs of Moher closely follows in second place with 1.5 million - an increase of over 3% on the previous year and Dublin Zoo holds the 3rd spot with over 1.2million visitors in the same category.
The survey also collates visitor numbers on free-to-enter attractions with a new entry to the list, Kilkenny Castle Parklands claiming top place with the National Gallery of Ireland closely following.
Today we publish our annual survey of #Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions for 2018.
Take a look at the top ten here ➡️ https://t.co/BKyVcmivnt pic.twitter.com/KV9KJrNDTk— Fáilte Ireland (@Failte_Ireland) August 4, 2019
Overall, the top ten fee-charging attractions during 2018 were:
- Guinness Storehouse - 1,736,156 (visitors)
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience – 1,580,000
- Dublin Zoo – 1,230,145
- Book of Kells – 1,057,642
- Tayto Park – 700,000
- St Patrick’s Cathedral – 627,199
- Kylemore Abbey & Garden – 561,657
- Muckrose House – 550,649
- Powerscourt House Gardens and Waterfall – 472,523
- Blarney Castle & Gardens – 460,000
Ireland’s top ten ‘free to enter’ attractions for 2018 were:
- Kilkenny Castle Parklands – 799,032
- The National Gallery of Ireland – 775,491
- Glendalough Site – 732,824
- National Botanic Gardens – 655,609
- Castletown House Parklands – 642,278
- Irish Museum of Modern Art – 505,891
- Doneraile Park – 490,000
- National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, 466,038
- Farmleigh House Estate – 389,932
- Battle of the Boyne/Oldbridge Est – 355,608
Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Product Development Orla Carroll claims that although 2018 was a positive year, there are many challenges ahead for the tourism industry.
"As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland's role is to support the development of a 'world-class' tourism sector. Our work with attractions in helping them grow their visitor numbers through training and funding is a significant part of what we do across the country.
Over the course of 2018 alone, Fáilte Ireland approved grant funding of more than €31million for 46 projects."
And Fáilte Ireland is setting its sights higher for 2019 with funding of up to a total of €150million through new Platforms for Growth Initiative.
