by Bernie English 
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[email protected]VISITORS are flocking to attractions such as King John’s Castle and Bunratty Folk Park, with visitor numbers jumping by 11 per cent last year.
2014 was Shannon Heritage’s most successful in terms of visitor numbers since the 2007, with the biggest success within the company’s operations at King John’s Castle where, in its first full operating season following a €6million revamp, it doubled its numbers to 85,000.
Overall, Shannon Heritage’s seven day time and four evening attractions drew 637,000 visitors in 2014, with day visitor attractions up more than 13 per cent.
The results show a correlation with Shannon Heritage’s sister company and gateway to the West of Ireland, Shannon Airport, where recently announced passenger numbers for 2014 showed a 17 per cent increase on 2013.
And this week, Shannon Heritage added two awards to its collection at the CIE Tours International Awards of Excellence. King John’s Castle in Limerick and Malahide Castle & Gardens in Dublin were announced as winners of prestigious awards.
Speaking after receiving the award, Shannon Heritage chief executive John Ruddle, said: “We are particularly pleased for King John’s Castle as this award comes just 18 months after it reopened following an ambitious investment.
“This investment is clearly paying off by way of increased visitor numbers to Limerick and the excellent feedback we are getting from them”,he said.
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