Over 100,000 people visited Round Tower Centre last year

OVER 100,000 people visited the Round Tower visitor centre in Clondalkin in 2023 according to South Dublin County Council.

The much anticipated Round Tower Visitor Centre, Brú Chrónáin, opened in October 2017 to promote culture and heritage in the Clondalkin community.

The centre houses an interactive exhibition that delivers the history of Clondalkin’s early medieval monastery, and also incorporates public gardens, gallery spaces, retail area and cáfe.

According to the local authority, the new Round Tower design and craft shop, developed with the support of LEO South Dublin, was launched in December at the centre.

Included in SDCC’s annual corporate report 2023, was details of the council’s new Tourism Strategy for the county (2024 to 2029).

SDCC say this strategy will try to build on the importance of tourism to the local economy, which currently supports 3,600 jobs having a combined direct and indirect annual economic impact of €342m.

Meanwhile, consultants were appointed for the Rathfarnham Stables masterplan and the McHugh Group were selected as partner for the retail/hospitality offering at Castle Courtyard and Stables at Rathfarnham.

Consultants were also appointed to work on the detailed design and development of the Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre with works on this flagship tourism initiative expected to commence in 2024.

The Tallaght Heritage Centre secured Part 8 planning approval in October and a detailed interpretation design plan was also prepared for the centre, which they expect to commence construction on in 2024.

The Tourism Event and Festival Grant Scheme supported seven events during the year, including Dublin Masters Basketball, Waido 4 Nations Karate Championships and BrickCon, which attracted over 2,500 visitors to the county.

Tymon Park Outdoor Food and Craft Market ran each Saturday from May to September, with up to 21,800 people visiting the market over the period, including over 4,000 people who attended the International Food and Cultural Event.

Rathfarnham Castle Christmas Market attracted over 3,000 visitors to see 40 food and craft traders, live entertainment, and festive decoration, promoting local artisan products, food, craft, and local businesses.

The Rebellion/Rathfarnham Village Walking Trail launched in April at Pearse Museum, supporting the suite of walking trails in the county, including Tallaght and Clondalkin.