Top Laois attraction had 100,000 fewer visits last year

Emo Court Parklands and House had 100,000 fewer visitors last year than in the previous two years. 

The figures were revealed by the Office of Public Works(OPW) which released visitor numbers for all of its heritage sites nationwide. 

Despite the large drop in visitor numbers, Emo Court Parklands and House remains one of Ireland’s leading attractions with 238, 039 people having visited the site in 2023. In 2022, the figure was 350,000 while in 2021 a whopping 379,161 visitors enjoyed the attraction. 

Despite a drop of over 100,000 visitors in 2023, the figure is still almost double the number for nearby Clonmacnoise in Co Offaly, where 122,718 people visited in the same year and that figure was up 29% on 2022 for the attraction which has an entrance fee.

Visitor Figures at another leading OPW run attraction in Laois, The Rock of Dunamase, have remained relatively stable in the past three years.  It had 48, 832 visitors last year, up on 45,215 in 2022 and 27, 244 in 2021.  

The OPW said 2023 was a successful year for visitor numbers with 15.3 million people enjoying sites across Ireland, up for 15 million in 2022.    

The Office of Public Works is responsible for caring, maintaining and operating 780 important heritage sites in Ireland. 

The OPW said “the numbers show the top heritage locations in each of two categories: Paid Visitor attractions and Free Access Sites. Iconic Irish heritage sites such as Kilmainham Gaol, The Rock of Cashel and Glendalough continue to play a pivotal role for both domestic and international tourism. The major parks, such as the Phoenix Park, St. Stephen’s Green and parklands around Doneraile Court have remained top of the list, continuing the trend of visitors utilising these recreational spaces.” 

Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the figures.  “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,” he said. 

“We are 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,” he added. 

Click on this link for a full list of the OPW visitor numbers for 2021 to 2023.