Shannon Heritage, Ireland’s largest operator of tourist attractions and part of Shannon Group plc, has announced a strong performance in the first three quarters of 2015 with visitors number at one of its flagship attractions, Bunratty Castle up by 14%.
To the end of September 2015, key attractions in the Shannon Heritage portfolio showed an increase in visitor numbers. Bunratty Folk Park visits were up 14% on 2014, with King John’s Castle experiencing growth of 8%. In Dublin, the Shannon Heritage run Malahide Castle and Gardens saw a 15% increase in visits.
Market research indicates that visitors from the US and Europe were up on 2014, whilst there was also significant increase in the amount of corporate events held in Shannon Heritage locations compared to last year.
Speaking about the figures, Shannon Heritage CEO John Ruddle was delighted with the performance so far this year. “With 2014 having been the strongest year since 2007, the challenge was to keep the momentum into 2015. Hard work by everyone involved coupled with the continued upturn in the world economy has helped this to be the case.
We’re on course to achieve a 10% overall increase in visitor numbers by years end, particularly with key events set to take place in the final quarter, such as the Bluegrass Festival in Bunratty Castle in October and new this year, Oktoberfest and a special Christmas event in King John’s Castle.”
Commenting on the results, Neil Pakey, CEO, Shannon Group plc said: “While 2015 has been an excellent year for Shannon Heritage thus far, hopes are high that 2016 can be even better again. Shannon Heritage’s involvement in the running of the new permanent GPO: Witness History Exhibition Centre which opens next Easter for Irish and International visitors is an exciting new addition to the Shannon Heritage portfolio of visitor attractions and evening entertainment options.”
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.