By Barry Coughlan
The Waterford Treasures collection of museums is on track to fast becoming Waterford’s most popular visitor attraction as so far this year visitor numbers have grown by 63%.
By the beginning of September 2022, the museums had attracted some 74,000 visitors since opening on January 1st 2022, representing an increase of 47,009 visitors for the same period in 2021.
Museum Director Eamonn McEneaney was delighted: “Based on Failte Ireland statistics the museum’s economic contribution to the city is valued at just over €5.8 million which is an astounding figure and demonstrates the real economic value in investing in our heritage here in Ireland’s oldest city.”
The team at Waterford Treasures are continuing to build upon the popularity and interest in Waterford Treasures Museums as they meet with tour operators and travel advisors and attend travel and trade events to promote the museums globally.
Of the 74,000 visitors who visited the museums in 2022, 57% of those were international visitors, 16% were day trippers from Ireland and the remaining 27% were Irish holidaymakers who were spending an overnight or more in Waterford and its environs.
The Waterford Treasures Museum collection includes The Bishop’s Palace, the Medieval Museum, The Irish Silver Museum, The Irish Museum of Time and the ever-popular King of the Vikings Virtual Reality Adventure, plus Reginald’s Tower.
Recently the National Museum of Time was nominated for the prestigious British Guild of Travel Writers International Tourism Awards 2022.
Visitors can enjoy a ‘Freedom of Waterford’ ticket enabling them to access all of the museums and a guided walking tour under one ticket price 7 days per week.
For further details see www.waterfordtreasures.com