Economic Value of Ireland's Historic Environment - The Heritage ...

The OPW is currently investigating the feasibility of extending the site to incorporate what was
Kilmainham Courthouse, which is directly adjacent to it. Also an historic building of national heritage
significance, such an extension would significantly increase the overall asset‟s capacity for visitors and
widen the range of functions and services it could offer.
5.3 Inputs
The site has not had substantial capital investment since the mid-
1990s (the costs of which are not available from the OPW), when
the exhibition space in the west wing was formally opened. Much
of the substantial capital investment in its upgrade and restoration
as a historic property occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, while over
the last 10 years or so such investment has been small by
comparison, and has included minor works in the archive, audiovisual
facilities, as well as for wheelchair ramps and other service
and facility improvements.
Annual revenues generated through admission fees are in the order of €1-€1.5m, all of which are
returned to the central exchequer as appropriations in aid under the OPW financial vote. Staff costs are
the main item of running costs, and these along with other recurring costs (heat and fuel, electricity, etc)
are paid directly by the OPW.
5.4 Economic Benefits
Visitor numbers in 2010, according to figures published by Failte Ireland, were approximately 278,000
and of the same general magnitude of preceding years. This placed the Gaol within the top 12 visitor
attractions in the country and the ninth most popular attraction in Dublin in the year. It is one of the most
significant tourist attractions to the west of the city centre, and, along with
the other major attractions in its proximity (e.g. the Guinness Storehouse,
the Irish Museum of Modern Art at Kilmainham Hospital and the National
War Memorial at Islandbridge), is seen as a key attractor of tourists and
visitors away from the sites and commercial core of the city centre.
However beyond associated business for one or two local businesses
located very directly adjacent to the site (e.g. a bar/restaurant), there is
little evidence to suggest significant spill-over economic benefits in the
direct location as opposed to the wider city and region.
Other direct economic benefits include the revenue generated through admission fees (which as stated
are a direct source of Government revenue), as well as the employment of OPW staff and the limited
number of private sector employees that work at the Gaol. These transactions also of course provide a
source of central tax revenue.
A17