The Mediaeval Banquet at the County Clare castle saw a 30% increase in attendance as well. This year, the 65th anniversary of one of Ireland's longest-running nighttime entertainment performances, was honoured by almost 43,000 attendees.

The rise in visitors aligns with a continuous investment strategy in Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, which is a €10.5 million capital expenditure in some of the most popular tourist destinations in Clare.

Since The Shannon Airport Group's administration of the Shannon Heritage assets was handed in April, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle, and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher have received almost €4 million in investments from Clare County Council with government backing.

A further €6.5 million has been set aside for investment in the Shannon Heritage DAC network of attractions, which is owned by the Clare County Council and includes the Mountshannon attraction Inis Cealtra (Holy Island Visitor Experience), during the first half of 2024.

Meanwhile, 40 additional jobs will have been created across all operations in the year starting in May 2023 to support the tourist attractions.

“One of Clare's hallmark tourist destinations has had an incredibly successful year,” stated Stephen Hanley, General Manager of Clare Tourism East. “Staff and management are delivering a world class tourism product, and we are committed to achieving double digit growth in visitor numbers for the next three years.”

“A comprehensive and much needed programme of investment in the sites is happening at a very exciting time for Clare tourism with significant investment also being made in the Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) Visitor Experience in Mountshannon and the Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre in West Clare,” said Mr. Hanley.

“This investment is based on creating a tourism product that benefits the wider Clare economy and reinforces Clare’s reputation as a quality destination with domestic and international appeal.”

“2023 has been a landmark year for Clare tourism with the transfer of management of four Shannon Heritage properties to Clare County Council,” said Leonard Cleary, Director of Tourism Development at Clare County Council.

“For the benefit of the tourism industry, the overall economy, and the local communities where these sites are located, the Local Authority is dedicated to funding the sites' future development.”