Fáilte Ireland yesterday published their definitive list of Ireland’s top visitor attractions last year, with the Guinness Storehouse once more topping the charts.
The Storehouse welcomed 1,157,000 visitors in 2013, an increase of 70,000 visitors on 2012. Amongst the nation’s fee-paying attractions, the iconic Dublin attraction was followed closely by Dublin Zoo, with just over a million visitors and the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, which had a 10 per cent boost in visitor numbers thanks to 960,000 paying visitors.
While the National Gallery of Ireland continued to lead the ‘free attractions’ listing, there was a significant new entry to the top ten in that category, with the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons entering the top ten listing at number five, thanks to the interest of 350,000 visitors during 2013.
It is interesting to note that the majority of attractions on both lists are based in Dublin.
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar said the growth is, "further proof that Irish tourism is going from strength to strength." He added, "Visitors like to have a wide range of things to see and do, and Ireland has some fantastic free and paid attractions. That’s why the Government continues to invest in new attractions and in refreshing established ones.”
Overall, the combined top ten fee-paying attractions in 2013 recorded a 5 per cent increase in visitors on the previous year’s top ten performance. The combined top ten free attractions experienced a 7 per cent jump in visitors compared to the top ten performers in 2012.
Commenting on the figures, Shaun Quinn CEO of Fáilte Ireland said, "our visitor attractions are quite clearly experiencing the same growth that we are seeing right across the tourism sector.
“Attractions such as these are an integral part of what Ireland has to offer visitors. Recognising the importance of having a good variety of things to do and see, Fáilte Ireland has directed significant investment into the tourism sector over the last five years – with a total of €120 million invested in almost 60 significant capital projects throughout the country.
“Tourism is in a good place compared to five years ago but we can’t become complacent. In order to draw more visitors to our shores we need to ensure we are providing the right type of holiday experiences.”
Tourism numbers in general have increased again this year, with around 72 per cent of hotels saying they have seen a increase in bookings. This should spell good news for these tourist attractions this year. Top 10 Fee-Charging Attractions 2013
Name of Attraction County 2013 visitors
1. Guinness Storehouse Dublin 1,157,090 2. Dublin Zoo Dublin 1,026,611 3. Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience Clare 960,134 4. National Aquatic Centre Dublin 858,031 5. Book of Kells Dublin 588,723 6. Tayto Park Meath 435,000 7. St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin 410,000 8. Fota Wildlife Park Cork 365,396 9. Blarney Castle Cork 365,000 10. Kilmainham Gaol Dublin 326,207
Top 10 Free Attractions 2013 Name of Attraction County 2013 Visitors
1. The National Gallery of Ireland Dublin 641,572
2. National Botanic Gardens Dublin 550,000
3. Farmleigh Dublin 435,476
4. National Museum of Ireland - Dublin 404,230 Archaeology, Kildare St
5. Newbridge Silverware Kildare 350,000
6. Science Gallery Dublin 339,264 at Trinity College Dublin
7. National Museum of Ireland - Dublin 284,323 Natural History, Merrion St
8. The National Library of Ireland Dublin 260,152
9. National Museum of Ireland - Dublin 251,226 Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks
10. Chester Beatty Library Dublin 250,659
