€5.3 million Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience officially opens

The Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience has been officially opened by Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD.

Housed in the restored Rectory in Mountshannon, which was acquired by Clare County Council in 2021, the building serves as a centre for visitors to interpret Inis Cealtra (Holy Island), one of Ireland’s most significant ecclesiastical heritage sites, and the history of the neighbouring communities.

The €5.3 million refurbishment project, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with matched funding from Clare County Council, followed extensive consultation with elected members, state agencies and the local community.

The centre offers interactive exhibits on the island’s past, community stories, immersive footage of Inis Cealtra and a scale 3D model, providing an insight into the history of the island. The attraction also features a first-floor café and accommodates a ground floor external seated terrace within the landscaped gardens of the Rectory.

The official opening on Friday, September 19 also marked the completion of public realm works in Mountshannon, a new shared surface on Main Street aimed at improving connectivity and creating a vibrant public space for the community and visitors.

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Speaking at the opening, Minister Dooley said, "With the support of over €4 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, this new visitor centre will help boost tourism and economic growth in Mountshannon, increasing footfall and driving visitor numbers. It will help the East Clare region and the banner county as a whole, while showcasing the beauty and vital cultural importance of the ‘Holy Island’, Inis Cealtra, cherished locally as the ‘Jewel of Lough Derg’.”

Welcoming guests, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy said, “This carefully restored centre brings the natural beauty of Inis Cealtra, Lough Derg, and Mountshannon to life. It is a space where locals can celebrate their heritage and visitors can discover the unique stories and wildlife of the area, ensuring this special part of Clare is shared and enjoyed for years to come.

“The Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 highlights tourism as a key driver for sustainable economic and community development. The Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience fits perfectly with this vision, promoting slow tourism, wellness travel, and responsible engagement with our heritage and landscapes," he added. 

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Gordon Daly paid tribute to the partnership between the community, elected members, and council staff that ensured the project came to fruition.

He said, “Collaboration has been at the heart of this project since it was first mooted – collaboration between the council staff and stakeholders, our local councillors in the Killaloe Municipal District who have provided unwavering support, and most importantly the Mountshannon community. It was the community’s insight that guided us towards refurbishing the old Rectory as the visitor centre, further helping to preserve and promote the heritage of the village.

“I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Waterways Ireland, National Monuments Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and the Destination Lough Derg team, all of whom have played a role in this project and the management of Holy Island.”

The Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) Visitor Experience is part of Clare County Council’s portfolio of attractions, which also includes Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle, Loop Head Lighthouse and Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre.

For more details, visit www.clarecollection.ie.