merrion street

OPW Minister Brian Hayes announced this morning that the ‘Free Day’ on the first Wednesday of every month is to continue in 2012.

The Minister said:

I have decided to continue this initiative as it has proved hugely successful with almost 20,000 additional people visiting our Historic Properties and National Monuments in the last six months of 2011, boosting local economies with increased numbers.  The tourism sector will be of critical importance to the re-establishment of financial stability in this country in years to come. I am confident that the excellent array of significant OPW heritage sites will contribute to this process both through their excellent visitor facilities and the value for money that they represent.

The Minister concluded:

I am delighted that I can continue with this initiative in these very challenging economic times and due to the success of the ‘Free Day’ in 2011 I would urge people to visit www.heritageireland.ie to get the most up to date information on the various sites, many of which are very busy sites and especially so on the free day.