Redeveloped Clonmacnoise visitor centre to open in early 2027

A redeveloped and modernised visitor centre at Clonmacnoise monastic site, estimated to cost in the region of €7m, is expected to open to the public in spring 2027.

Mullingar construction firm Kelbuild Ltd have been awarded the contract for the redevelopment works, which are expected to take an estimated year to complete.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), supported through the EU Just Transition Fund, commissioned the redevelopment of the visitor centre, including the expansion and refurbishment of the existing facility, as well as an update of site interpretation in the form of a series of exhibition spaces, audio visual experiences and internal and external signage.

The project is designed to improve visitor facilities at the monastic site, including alterations to the existing buildings and the construction of a new extension.

The brief is to transform Clonmacnoise visitor centre into a modern, sustainable and fully accessible facility, significantly improving interpretation, energy efficiency and overall visitor engagement.

The contractor will have responsibility to develop, produce, store and install a series of high quality exhibition displays, graphics and signage.

Also included in the redevelopment are substantial landscape works, such as alterations to the coach parking area and the provision of a new entrance courtyard. These, together with a supportive programme of audio visual content, will allow the OPW to interpret this site and relay its history in story to the general public.

When redevelopment works are completed next year, visitors to the Clonmacnoise monastic site will have the choice between a self-guided experience or a fully guided tour. Both options will take in the exhibition spaces within the visitor centre as well as the historic site itself.

Guided tours will be operated by one of the site many experience tour guides. A central theatre space will run an audio visual show on a looped system and the space will be able to seat around 50 visitors per viewing. This will enable a transition between the reception, shop and introductory interpretation space, the outdoor site access and High Cross rooms.

OPW minister, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran confirmed that a sod turning event to mark the start of works is expected to "take place within three weeks".

"When I returned as OPW minister, Clonmacnoise was one of the projects which I set about delivering. It is a major tourism attraction in the midlands region, which had one million visitors last year.

"Now that we are redeveloping the visitor centre, that can only add to the number of visitors to Clonmacnoise and also benefit the other tourist attractions in the midlands," Minister Moran said.