Emo Court in Laois is a top ten attraction in Ireland but numbers drop

Emo Court is one of the most visited publicly owned free heritage sites in Ireland but the number of vistors have dropped despite a big investment aimed at improving access, according to new figures from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW revealed the number of visitors to the James Gandon-designed building and adjoining grounds in a statement which revealed that total visitors to its sites across Ireland exceeded 15 million, up by 2.3 million on 2021, an increase of 18%. 

In its release, the OPW published the top 10 heritage locations in two categories: Paid Visitor attractions and Free Access Sites. Emo Court Parklands and House Emo ranks number nine of the 10 Heritage sites in Ireland according to the OPW's figures.

The OPW reported that a total of 350,000 were welcomed to Emo in 2022 which was down from 379,161 the previous year. This represents a fall of 8% perhaps as a result of waning Covid-19 restrictions visiting to local attractions.  MORE BELOW TABLE.

However, a second table published by the OPW shows all the sites and reveals that the Laois location attracted more visitors than Farmleigh Estate in Dublin's Phoenix Park which benefited from a multi-million renovation. More below tables.

The fall in numbers go against the OPW's ambitions for the house and estate where it has invested significantly with the intention of what, it says is to place "this magnificent example of neo-classical architecture firmly on the map of Irish and foreign visitors".

In May 2022, a new visitor hub, picnic area, car park, improved path network, improvements to the lake, and the renovated Walled Garden were completed. The OPW said this provided the frame for an enhanced and enjoyable experience from the moment visitors arrive on site. 

Work has also been carried out inside the house to expand the areas of the building that people can visit. Work is also due to be carried out on the roof.

The famous architect James Gandon, fresh from his work on the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin, set to work on Emo Court in 1790. However, the building that stands now was not completed until some 70 years later.

The estate was home to the earls of Portarlington until the War of Independence forced them to abandon Ireland for good. The Jesuits moved in some years later and, as the Novitiate of the Irish Province, the mansion played host to some 500 of the order’s trainees.

A Major Cholmeley-Harrison took over Emo Court in the 1960s and fully restored it. He opened the beautiful gardens and parkland to the public before finally presenting the entire estate to the people of Ireland in 1994.

Figures were also published on the Rock of Dunamase. It saw visitor numbers drop from 47,244 in 2021  to 45,215 last year.

The OPW manages and maintains the most important of Ireland’s historic buildings and heritage.

"We take meticulous care of the 780 heritage sites in our charge and, at the 70 sites with visitor services, we work hard to present them to their best potential, making sure that we give visitors from Ireland and abroad the best experience we possibly can," it said. 

It says the major parks, such as the Phoenix Park, St. Stephen’s Green and parklands around Castletown House, Doneraile Court and Kilkenny Castle, have remained top of the list, continuing the trend as magnets of natural beauty and as places for recreational use.

It says other individual regional sites have seen a striking increase in their visitor numbers, for example, Cahir Castle – winner of the European film location awards last year – Carrowmore, which was announced as part of Ireland’s Tentative World Heritage List last year, the Glebe House and Gallery in Co. Donegal, Pearse Cottage and the refurbished Blasket Visitor Centre in Co. Kerry. Significantly, the Rock of Cashel recorded a visitor increase of over 200% in the previous 12 months. 

The Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan.

“These figures clearly indicate that there is an enormous interest in heritage tourism and that an increasing number of tourists and domestic visitors regard Ireland’s heritage sites as great places to visit. 

“It is wonderful to see that these sites are doing so well, both the paid attractions, which reflects very well on Ireland’s tourism performance, as well as the sites, parks and gardens which the public can access for free year round. Every heritage site contributes to the local sense of place, the local economy and is a precious and unique place to discover for visitors of all ages and interests,” he said.  

The 2022 visitor numbers for OPW-managed sites with a facility to record visitor numbers are attached or can be viewed at www.opw.ie