It’s Official! The Most Impressive Heritage Site in Ireland Is…

The Cliffs of Moher have been selected the nation’s first choice when showing overseas visitors heritage sites in Ireland. The Co. Clare location is the place to be, according to new research conducted by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical Ireland ahead of National Heritage Week 2014, August 23^rd – 31^st. Representing public attitudes to Ireland’s heritage landmarks, the fifth National Heritage Survey lists the world famous cliffs as the first place Irish people would take a tourist (33%); followed closely by Newgrange (32%); Giant’s Causeway (19%); Rock of Cashel (9%) and Bunratty Castle (7%). Of these, The Giant’s Causeway was awarded the favourite heritage site to take a date (35%); closely followed by Cliffs of Moher (30%), Bunratty Castle (18%), Newgrange (11%) and bottom of the date list was the Rock of Cashel with just 6% of the votes. The Giant's Causeway is considered the perfect place for a date with a difference While the Cliffs of Moher emerged as highly popular with respondents, 79% admitted it is the heritage site they fear most. The majority of those surveyed (33%) visit heritage sites 3 – 4 times annually, 24% visit between 5 – 9 times a year, and 22% visit more than ten times a year, a 5% increase from the 2013 National Heritage Survey. Almost all of those surveyed (99%) rate Ireland’s heritage as very important to the tourism industry, and 46% believe there should be stricter laws governing the protection of heritage sites. 98% think the Government needs to continue to provide tax incentives to heritage property owners regarding the maintenance and upkeep of their heritage property. Bunratty Castle in Co. Clare also proved a very popular heritage site David Lane, managing director of Ecclesiastical Ireland said, “The findings of the fifth annual heritage survey are incredibly telling. It’s fantastic to see the increase in visitation to heritage sites and how highly important these are regarded by Irish people. “It’s great that the nation are continuing to take enormous pride in our heritage sites and landmarks and enjoying showing these off to overseas visitors. Our heritage sites are vital to the tourism industry in Ireland but also in defining where we have come from and the rich legacy we hold in Ireland. The research highlights the need for heritage property owners to continue to protect the sites to ensure these remain prominent in the lives of Irish people.” According to the survey, country Manors and estate houses are the favourite type of all heritage sites in Ireland (24%); with last year’s favourite, castles, taking second place with 22%. 20% of respondents favour cathedrals and churches. The favoured source for information on heritage sites was word of mouth, through family and friends (54%). The Irish Heritage Council website (22%), social media (22%), and other online sources (42%) were also among the preferred sources of information. For the third consecutive year, Trinity College was the site voted most worthy of official heritage status (45%); followed by Kylemore Abbey in Galway (16%) and St. James’ Gate/The Guinness Brewery (11%).