Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
724. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which it has been possible to categorize and utilise for tourism and educational purposes, the numerous heritage sites and buildings throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36950/13]
View answerWhile promotion of Ireland as a tourist designation is primarily a matter for Tourism Ireland and the development of tourism is the responsibility of Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, I am committed to availing of every possible opportunity to project a positive global image for Ireland. To this aim I have met with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to enhance co-operation between my Department and both tourism bodies in promoting heritage and tourism.
The unique qualities of Ireland’s national heritage play a significant role in enhancing and projecting Ireland’s image abroad, and in supporting economic renewal through cultural and heritage tourism and in downstream opportunities, such as in the retail, catering and accommodation sectors. Fáilte Ireland figures show that some 3.5 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural activities while in Ireland in 2011. Over 2.5 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, while 2 million visited our archaeological monuments. There were over 3.7 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works provides a guide service.
My Department’s network of National Parks and Nature Reserves are also a major part of Ireland’s tourism attractions. My Department is supporting the greater use of our parks and reserves in a manner which is compatible with conservation and protection of their biodiversity. It can be difficult to give an exact number for visitors to National Parks as there are many access points to some of the parks but visitor numbers have been estimated at over 2 million per annum. Ireland’s National Parks are the most popular destinations for the domestic holiday market, with 23% of this tourism market segment visiting the Parks in 2011.
Where numbers are more readily measurable, increases have been seen in recent years. In 2011, Connemara National Park attracted a footfall of 202,543 visitors (representing a 30% increase on 2010 visitor numbers), Glenveagh National Park attracted a footfall of 112,000 visitors, while Glenveagh Castle attracted 41,161 visitors. Muckross House witnessed an increase of 13% in visitor numbers with 105,145 people visiting the House.
My Department is also actively engaged in a wide range of activities in support of The Gathering, both in co-operation with bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works, and in promoting its own initiatives. For example the ‘Places to See’ and ‘Monuments to Visit’ websites provide directions to lesser known heritage sites and details of what the visitor can expect to find on arrival. A small amount of capital funding is provided by my Department to support the Office of Public Works’ conservation programme for the State's heritage portfolio, many properties from which attract high levels of visitors to Ireland.
My Department will continue to develop visitor facilities where resources allow, such as walking and cycling routes, enhanced signage and interpretation. In the last couple of years my Department opened modern visitor centres at Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo, Clara Bog Nature Reserve, Co. Offaly, and a visitor information point for the Burren National Park in Corofin, Co. Clare.
Killarney House in Killarney National Park is currently undergoing major refurbishment to transform it into the main visitor and interpretative centre for the National Park with a focus on interpreting the parks natural wealth. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with OPW as project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million towards the project, under its Tourism Investment Programme.
In addition, my Department provides core funding for several heritage organisations such as the Heritage Council, which supports a range of initiatives including National Heritage Week, and the Irish Architectural Foundation, which runs the successful Open House event each year.
This year, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, my Department is also initiating a pilot programme, the Historic Towns Initiative , in Youghal, Westport and Listowel with the Heritage Council and the local authorities in each town. My primary objective with this initiative is to ensure that the participating towns have access to, and an understanding of, appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets and, in so doing, underpin the sustainability of their community and local economy. It is my hope that meeting these goals will also, by extension, significantly enhance the visitor experience in these towns, thus helping to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of these towns and their respective hinterlands.
