Trinity College Dublin Voted Site Most Worthy of Official Heritage Status

Aug 17, 2012

Trinity College Dublin has been rated the site most worthy of official heritage status according to new research conducted by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical Ireland, ahead of National Heritage Week 2012.

Representing public attitudes to Ireland’s heritage landmarks, the third annual National Heritage Survey places Trinity College ahead of the GPO and Saint James’ Gate as the top three sites which should be considered for official heritage status.

For a third consecutive year, Newgrange has emerged as the nation’s favourite heritage site with 16% of the vote, followed jointly by the Cliffs of Moher (9%) and Glendalough (9%). The majority of respondents also consider Newgrange to be the heritage site of greatest historical importance to Ireland (37%).

The research shows that 41% of respondents have been more likely to visit Ireland’s free heritage sites since the onset of the recession.

88% of those surveyed believe Ireland’s heritage sites to be important or very important to the tourism industry but 71% believe that not enough is being done to promote Irish heritage sites and landmarks to the public.

Ecclesiastical conducted the third National Heritage Survey online during July 2012 among a representative sample of 200+ adults aged 18 or over and living in Ireland. The survey assesses public attitudes to Ireland’s heritage landmarks and the importance of the heritage sector here.