Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here in Johnstown Castle this morning for the announcement of this important development of the Castle and Grounds. It will be a major boost not just for Wexford and the South East of the country but it will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Tourism offering, particularly to Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’.
International research has identified that on average 2/3 of the money spent on a visit to a heritage attraction is spent outside of the property in the local area so as a direct result of visiting the property; restaurants, cafés, hotels and shops, for example enjoy additional custom. This ‘heritage motivator’ produces substantial economic-impact for the local area and is the real and measurable impact of activity generated by an important heritage property.
Teagasc are to be complimented for taking the lead on this project which is outside their research, advisory and educational remit and which will benefit not only the built heritage of Johnstown Castle itself but will also contribute to an enjoyable cultural and tourism experience for visitors from Wexford, Ireland and abroad and at the same time contribute to the local economy.
The project will be progressed in two phases: a developmental phase and an operational phase. It is proposed that the Irish Heritage Trust will act as the project managers during the two years of the developmental phase and thereafter they will operate the centre under licence.
The Trust was established in July 2006 and is supported by the Irish Government because independent research confirmed that this charitable trust approach reduced cost to the state, engaged effectively with communities and created multiple wider public benefits including tourism, employment and heritage preservation.
Over the past 9 years the Trust has created an organisation that is innovative, efficient and a mechanism to provide greater public access to, and benefit from, heritage properties. They have the expertise and experience to bring heritage to life for everyone to enjoy by;
• Sharing it in new and different ways
• Making it more accessible and engaging
• Encouraging greater participation by communities and individuals.
Historically Failte Ireland development plans have prioritized an integrated approach towards tourism development and highlighted that “Sensitive landscapes need more state investment”, with priority being given to the development of cultural heritage experiences that have an international appeal. Johnstown Castle fits neatly with their objectives and I would like to acknowledge note their involvement and support for this project over the past number of years.
The overall aim of this project which we are launching today is to make Johnstown Castle the most visited attraction in the South East of Ireland and, at the same time, to make it commercially successful and sustainable. More specifically it is the intention to
• Greatly increase the amount of pleasure which people, from Ireland and abroad, obtain from the buildings and grounds of Johnstown Castle.
• Preserve the grounds and buildings to a high standard for future generations to enjoy.
• Create an attraction powerful enough to entice people to come to Ireland from abroad and attract those visitors to the South East.
• Increase the number of Irish people who take their holidays in the South East.
• Create many jobs on the site, and many others in businesses that supply the estate and in businesses that serve tourists which are attracted to visit it.
• Enable local people to understand and enjoy their heritage.
• Reduce in the short term, and eliminate, in the medium-long term, the subsidy which the State makes to the upkeep of the estate.
I hope that you and your children and their children will enjoy this magnificent State asset for a long time to come and I ask you to be ambassadors for the centre and continue to support it as it embarks on this new journey which we are launching today.
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