Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A new interpretive exhibition will be there in the visitor centre exhibition space. There will be improved external signage and interpretation at the visitor centre, a redesigned reception and ticketing zone and improved staff welfare and accommodation facilities. As the Deputy mentioned, staff are very important. There will be improved visitor movement and circulation through the centre and on to the monument and compliance with building regulations, health and safety standards and DAC requirements. Other initiatives being progressed concurrently include the creation of a new multilingual phone app to enhance the self-guiding experience and provide extra information and increased online capacity for virtual interpretation of the remoter sites on Aran Mór, Inis Oírr agus Inis Meáin.

The project was put in place to address certain issues. The existing building is in need of investment to upgrade facilities to make it compliant with building regulations and provide ticketing and online systems to manage the flow of visitors. There is a need to refresh the visitor experience. The interpretative exhibition at the centre has not been upgraded in many years and needs to be renewed. There is a need to address the requirement of visitor information and exhibitions relating to a large number of the other national monuments on the three Aran Islands both in terms of static provision and online information. The investment also ensures compliance in a number of areas including visitor and staff health and safety, welfare facilities, operational efficiency and general finishes.

It will be a major boost to the Aran Islands agus tuigim go bhfuil turasóireacht mar thionscadal an-tábhachtach ar na hoileáin, go háirithe ar Inis Mór.

The project was delayed during Covid when the normal construction activity was curtailed and progress was not possible, and works began on site in August 2024.

The Aran Islands, including Inis Mór, are particularly rich in built heritage with in excess of 40 national monument sites across the landscape. A substantial number of these are relatively easy to reach and can be made accessible to recreational visitors.

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