Ireland’s Top 10 attractions

ireland's top 10 visitor attractions

Good news is always nice and it seems there’s more to go around after Fáilte Ireland (Ireland’s National Tourism Authority) published the 2013 guide to Ireland’s Top 10 attractions.

The once again takes the lead, ahead of Dublin Zoo, with both venues crossing the million visitors mark which is a phenomenal achievement. Visitors to the famous Guinness Storehouse were up by 70,000 on the previous year 2012.

The top 3 paid attractions was completed with the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience – which saw a 10% boost over 2012 thanks to 960,000 paying visitors passing through.

Congratulations to all these venues who continue to provide a wonderful day out experience. We look forward to visiting you again soon…

(2015 figures released and updating shortly)

Ireland’s Top 10 attractions in 2013 (Fee-Charging)

1) Guinness Storehouse, Dublin: 1,157,090

2) Dublin Zoo: 1,026,611

3) Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, Co. Clare: 960,134

4) National Aquatic Centre, Dublin: 858,031

5) Book of Kells, Dublin: 588, 723

6) Tayto Park, Co. 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

The ‘free attractions’ listing was topped by the National Gallery, as per last year, but there was a significant new entry – with the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons entering the top ten at No.5 with 350,000 visitors during 2013.

Ireland’s Top 10 attractions 2013 (Free Attractions)

 

1) National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin: 641,572

2) National Botanic Gardens, Dublin: 550,000

3) Farmleigh, Dublin: 435,476

4) National Museum, Archaeology, Dublin: 404,230

5) Newbridge Silverware, Kildare: 350,000

6) Science Gallery, Dublin: 339,264

7) National Museum, Natural History, Dublin: 284,323

8) National Library of  Ireland, Dublin: 260,323

9) National Museum, Collins Barracks, Dublin: 251,226

10) Chester Beatty Library: 250,659

Overall, the combined top ten fee-paying attractions in 2013 recorded a 5% increase in visitors on the previous year’s top ten performance. The combined top ten free attractions experienced a 7% jump in visitors compared to the top ten performers in 2012.