300. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of visitors projected to visit an OPW Heritage site (details supplied) in the next calendar year, 2027. [67676/26]

Clonmacnoise Monastic Site is a national monument in State ownership. The Office of Public Works recognises the immense cultural, historic, and economic importance of Clonmacnoise, as one of Ireland’s most prolific heritage sites. The site is open year-round to visitors. The conservation of the site is overseen by conservation specialists and OPW craftsmen.  The OPW employs a Visitor Experience team of expert guides who deliver public tours and manage the visitor operations at the site.

The visitor centre and visitor facilities at Clonmacnoise are currently being redeveloped with funding from the EU Just Transition Fund. The project is being delivered in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This capital investment will significantly enhance conservation, interpretation, accessibility and visitor facilities at Clonmacnoise.

The redeveloped visitor centre is expected to open to the public mid-2027 with anticipated visitor numbers of circa 150,000 visitors in the first full year of operations, rising to 167,000 n Year 2, 170,000 in Year 3 and 173,500 in Year 4.