Over six months ago twenty-four managers of top visitor attractions from across the East and South regions, commenced Fáilte Ireland’s first ever Visitor Attraction – 

Management Development Programme.  This week the group graduated at Kilkenny Castle, having completed the new programme which was focused on benchmarking Ireland’s heritage attractions with the best in class attractions overseas. 

 Pictured is  Gary Breen with Kilkenny graduates at Kilkenny Castle.

 The managers and owners from Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Meath, Louth, Wicklow, Dublin and Kildare, have been taking part in studies focusing on all areas of management culminating today in a presentation of certificates at Kilkenny Castle.

Congratulating the graduates on completing their studies, Gary Breen from Fáilte Ireland said –

 “Through this programme we will ensure that the culture and heritage tourism experiences in Ireland will continue to improve and be recognised among the best in the world.  I would like to congratulate all those involved on what is a great achievement and thank them for taking time out of their businesses and plan for the future development and growth of the East and South.”

 

“Visitor attractions are central to delivering the memorable experiences that our visitors are looking for.  They allow visitors to immerse themselves in the surroundings, interact with people and hear the history and stories of the place.”

 

 

Management Development Programme Graduates were:

 Eamonn McEneaney

Waterford Treasures

 Waterford

 Ray Sinnott

 Mount Congreve Estate

 Waterford

 Sean Connick

JF Kennedy Trust Ltd

 Wexford

 Ann Waters

Hook Lighthouse

 Wexford

 Maura Bell

Irish National Heritage Park 

Wexford

 Angela Murtagh

Causey Farm

 Meath

 Leontia Lenehan

Office of Public Works/ Bru na Boinne / Newgrange

 Meath

 Fergal Martin

Office of Public Works/ Emo Court

 Laois

Catherine O'Connor

Office of Public Works/Rathfarnmham Castle

 Dublin

 Michael Loughran

Office of Public Works 

Dublin

 Jennifer McCrea

Irish Heritage Trust

 Dublin

 Elizabeth Keyes

St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower

 Kilkenny

 Mark McGovern

Smithwicks Experience Kilkenny

 Kilkenny

 Grace Fegan

Rothe House & Gardens

 Kilkenny

 Thomas O'Neill

Spike Island 

Cork

 Gillen Joyce

 Titanic Experience Cobh Limited

 Cork

 Clair McSweeney

CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory

 Cork

 Mervyn Horgan

Lifetime Lab

 Cork

 Peter Foynes

Cork Butter Museum

 Cork

 Jack Walsh

Cobh Heritage Centre

 Cork

Anne Lawlor

Irish National Stud Company Ltd

 Kildare

 Eric Blatchford

Russbourough House

 Wicklow

 Anthony Ardee

Killruddery House

 Wicklow

 Sarah Slazenger

Powerscourt Estate

 Wicklow