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

Within the context of Ireland's economy, it is estimated that the historic environment contribution to the
national economy is equivalent to 1% of total Irish GVA, and some 2% of overall employment.
Table 1 Total Economic Impact – Historic Environment Sector
Direct
Indirect/
induced
Total
Output (€m) 1,555 1,110 2665
Employment (FTE) 23,971 12,976 36,947
GVA (€m) 855.3 605 1,460
Source: Ecorys analysis (2011), incorporating Irish Input-Output tables
The greater share of economic impacts relate to tourism (attraction of visitor expenditure) and
construction (built heritage) sector effects – each in the order of €700 million annually to GVA and
equivalent to some 17,000 jobs.
A significant proportion of this overall economic impact is rooted in expenditure and/ or grants activity by
the 'inner wheel' of core historic environment organisations, including the Heritage Council, government
departments, Fáilte Ireland and others, with such activities providing a powerful stimulus to wider
economic activity across the Irish economy.
Wider Impacts of Ireland's Historic Environment
Beyond the economic impacts highlighted above, the findings from the case study and consultation
research have demonstrated that Ireland's historic environment also generates a range of important wider
economic, social and community benefits.
The historic environment plays a substantial role in supporting skills development. In the case of the
construction sector, this is manifested in development and subsequent retention of craft-based skills
within Ireland, and which are frequently utilised within higher value elements of construction activity.
Ireland's built historic environment constitutes an invaluable educational resource, and at all stages of
the lifelong learning spectrum. For example, not only are Ireland's flagship heritage sites a major
source of school educational visits, they are also a focus for academic research and conference
activities.
Although Ireland has a relatively limited tradition of volunteering, it is sufficiently clear that the built
heritage assets have served as a notable focus for community and voluntary activities to support
conservation and promotion of the historic environment.
The maintenance and repair of historic buildings, and particularly clusters of historic buildings, have
enhancing the physical fabric of many Irish cities. Positively, this has been beneficial in terms of
further supporting the growth of tourism activities in these centres, and in raising public awareness of
the economic and social value of built heritage.
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