Dublin’s famed Guinness Storehouse was today toasting its success with tourists after being named the country’s top fee-paying attraction.
With more than a million people attending the visitor mecca last year it beat off Dublin Zoo (900,000) and the Cliffs of Moher (800,000) as the most popular tourist haunt.
The National Gallery was ranked the favourite free attraction bringing in almost 750,000 people in 2008, according to Failte Ireland.
Paul Keeley, Failte Ireland's director for business development and investment, said: "Despite the difficult year and downturn, these figures highlight once again the popularity of our visitor attractions and the integral part they play in the overall visitor experience."
Last year almost 3.4 million overseas visitors took part in cultural/historical visits here.
Mr Keeley said cultural tourism was worth two billion euro to the economy every year, with cultural tourists spending almost double the amount of those on a city break.
Other attractions that proved popular with tourists last year included Dublin's National Aquatic Centre (706,739), the Book of Kells (541,364), Dublin Castle (365,000) and Blarney Castle (360,000).
PA