Pirate adventuring, winter wonderlands, and a boutique music and food festival have all played a part in growing visitor numbers to stately Westport House by some 50 per cent in the last five years.
The house and grounds recorded 80,000 visitors in 2009. That number has now grown to 130,000 visitors calling to the 18th century attraction in 2013.
According to marketing and sales director at Westport House, Biddy Hughes, the strong growth is a combination of the recovering tourism sector and more attractions at the house and grounds.
“The improvement in tourism numbers has been a help of course,” said Ms. Hughes. “But it is a combination of things that has seen the numbers grow. We have increased our coach tour business, extended the season, and introduced special attractions like the Westport festival and a winter wonderland.”
Other attractions at the house include a pirate adventure park.
Ms Hughes said last year’s Westport Festival of Music and Food attracted 12,000 people over two days.
