A CHANGE of heart by the Office of Public Works will see a small number of the State’s seasonally guided attractions open to the public this week after all.
In January it emerged that all heritage attractions staffed with guides, which closed for the winter, were to remain closed for an additional six weeks of the year.
The decision meant such places as Ross Castle in Killarney would not open until April and would close in mid-October, a month earlier than normal.
Some 365 seasonal guides are recruited by the OPW each year. The extended closures would have meant a shorter working season for the guides. There had been a drop in visitor numbers of about 6 per cent, the OPW also said.
The proposed later opening times across the board were severely criticised by tourism organisations who pointed out that St Patrick’s Day in many places, but especially Killarney, was the start to the tourist season.
All-year-round sites such as Muckross House, the Rock of Cashel and Kilmainham Gaol were not to be affected.
However, the Minister for the OPW, Dr Martin Mansergh, announcing opening arrangements last week, said budgetary considerations meant the opening times had been reviewed.
He said he was “satisfied” an effective formula had been devised that balanced the conservation, presentation and tourism requirements “with the need for realistic economies to be made”.
All sites that had been open to the public in previous years would be open, but “adapted to the demand for each site”.
“Tourism, now more than ever, is a necessary and vital stimulus to both our national and local economy,” Dr Mansergh added, “and I have no doubt that we will continue to attract visitor numbers by the intrinsic quality of our sites and the high standards of their presentation.”
A complete listing of all OPW guided heritage sites and national parks with opening times can be found at www.heritageireland.ie
The news has been welcomed by Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism which had lobbied strongly for a pre-St Patrick’s Day start to the season for Ross Castle.
Jerry O’Grady, Killarney chamber executive said they were delighted with the positive announcement” made by Dr Mansergh.”