10 April 2015

Simon Harris TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today (10 April 2015) announced free entry to Dún Aonghasa on Oileán Árainn.

The OPW has worked with the Aran Islands Business Network, Fáilte Ireland and Wild Atlantic Way to bring this initiative to fruition. Visitors who spend a night on Oileán Árainn will get a voucher entitling them to free entry to Dún Aonghasa.

Speaking this afternoon, Minister Harris said: "I am very pleased that my office, the OPW, in conjunction with all the local partners initiated this scheme for Árainn. Our 2014 figures show that over 120,000 visitors came to Dún Aonghasa and there is no doubt that Oileán Árainn has so much more to offer and this will encourage all visitors to spend extra time on the island”.

The Minister concluded: "I am confident that this pilot scheme will also serve to encourage the visitor experience at Dún Aonghasa. It is no surprise that this site has been awarded a “CIE Awards of Excellence for 2014”. OPW expects to implement similar initiatives at locations adjacent to our wonderful heritage sites and I invite everyone to fully participate in this exciting initiative".

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For further information or if you wish to interview Minister Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer – mobile 087 947 5552, landline 01 647 6128/046 942 6128 or email colette.davis@opw.ie

Notes to Editors:

Visitors who spend the night, in participating accommodation, on Oileán Árainn will get a voucher entitling them to free entry to Dún Aonghasa.

The pilot programme is being run in conjunction with the Aran Islands Business Network, Fáilte Ireland and Wild Atlantic Way.

Further details available at Cill Rónáin Tourist Office: Phone no: 099 61263 or email aran@failteireland.ie