Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
114. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has an action plan or ideas for increasing the number of tourists or visitors to the Hill of Tara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10205/22]
View answerEach year, the Office of Public Works carries out a programme of international and domestic marketing to promote Ireland's national heritage estate and to attract visitors to the portfolio of State heritage assets in its management and care. The Hill of Tara features prominently in all such campaigns and it is true to say that the Hill of Tara and its unique heritage is a key attractor for international visitors to Ireland annually.
Provisional visitor figures for 2021 indicate that almost 182,000 people visited the Hill of Tara. This figure suggests that the site already attracts a significant number of visitors and is operating close to, or at, what would be considered a sustainable carrying capacity.
The OPW is aware that at peak times, there are operational challenges which impact both on the monument site itself and on the surrounding area. While Tara is perceived by many as a local site for amenity, it is also a very sensitive archaeological site which is already at a maximum carrying capacity in terms of the number of visitors annually. The OPW therefore will not be seeking to intentionally grow the numbers of visitors at Tara but rather, will be seeking to improve the sustainable management of the numbers already visiting, enhance the visitor experience, promote greater knowledge of the significance of Tara and careful manage any additional numbers that will likely arise in the years ahead.
OPW is working closely with colleagues in the National Monuments Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Meath County Council in finalising a new Conservation Management Plan for Tara.
The Strategic Objectives of the plan are:
Objective 1: to protect and conserve the heritage of the State-owned lands on the Hill of Tara and sustain its cultural significance, integrity and authenticity
Objective 2: to promote awareness and understanding of the Hill of Tara and its significance
Objective 3: to manage and enhance the visitor experience on the Hill of Tara
Objective 4: to implement the Tara Conservation Management Plan
The OPW will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that Tara, and all OPW-managed heritage sites in Meath, play their part in the local tourism and economic agendas but to also ensure that the extraordinarily rich heritage of Tara is careful protected and presented to the highest standards for the enjoyment of Irish citizens and international visitors alike.
