Dublin Castle is now Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), welcoming 203,051 visitors from January to May, a notable increase of 43,000 from the same period last year.
Kilkenny Castle, located on the River Nore, follows closely with 191,222 visitors, while the Rock of Cashel ranks third with 112,592 visitors. Kilmainham Gaol, known for its historic significance related to the 1916 Rising, attracted 83,838 visitors, a decrease of 20,000 from 2023.
Other popular attractions in the top ten include Altamont Gardens in Carlow, Newgrange at Brú na Bóinne in Meath, Ardfert Cathedral in Kerry, John F. Kennedy Arboretum and Gardens in Wexford, Ross Castle in Killarney, and Trim Castle in Meath, known for its appearance in the movie “Braveheart.”
Notably, the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre, Farmleigh Estate, and Glendalough did not make the top ten this year.
Skellig Michael, featured in the Star Wars movies, saw 2,306 visitors, limited by daily landing restrictions and accessible only by boat. Garinish Island in Cork remains popular with 14,260 visitors, an increase of 1,000 from last year. Conversely, Scattery Island experienced a 50% drop in visitors, with only 329 this year.
The Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge House had 9,325 visitors from January to May.
Overall, OPW heritage sites saw a total of 1,290,761 visitors by the end of May, an increase of 52,000 year-on-year.