Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran pictured at Clonmacnoise last year with Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Services and Capital Works Delivery, OPW. Photo: Ray Ryan.

Clonmacnoise retains 'top 10' status among Irish heritage attractions

Adrian Cusack

Published: Tue 26 May 2026, 1:48 PM

Last updated: Tue 26 May 2026, 1:52 PM

The ancient monastic site at Clonmacnoise saw its visitor numbers rise to more than 120,000 last year.

Some 123,461 visitors came to the Shannonside site in Offaly in 2025, which was up by 5,124, or 4.3%, when compared with the 2024 visitor numbers.

The figures were issued by the Office of Public Works (OPW) this week, with Clonmacnoise ranking 10th on the list of its top-10 ticketed heritage sites.

In April of this year, a contract was signed to mark the commencement of a €7.8 million upgrade of the Clonmacnoise visitor centre which is expected to result in increased capacity and an improved visitor experience.

Dublin Castle remained the number one OPW heritage attraction, although its visitor numbers fell by some 140,000 in 2025. It was followed on the top 10 list by Kilkenny Castle, the Rock of Cashel, and Kilmainham Gaol.

The OPW is responsible for maintaining and operating 780 heritage sites across the country.

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, welcomed the visitor figures which were published on Monday.

"The 2025 visitor data is a testament to the enduring appeal of our national heritage," said 'Boxer'.

"From historic houses to ancient monuments- the continued investment by the State in our rich and unique heritage portfolio is essential for the safeguarding and preservation of our built heritage.

"Seeing the regional growth in places like Sligo Abbey and Corlea Trackway is heartening - we are fortunate to have such incredible landmarks across the country. The OPW works hard to conserve and protect them, and present them to public.

"These sites are not just monuments; they are the heartbeat of regional tourism and vital to our local economies. It is encouraging to see so many people, both from home and abroad, connecting with the stories that shaped Ireland."

In county Laois, Emo Court reopened in May 2025 after conservation works to improve the visitor experience, and the site experienced an uplift of 50 % in visitor numbers as a result.