New Rock of Dunamase experience aims to attract visitors from Kilkenny

Ambitious plans have been drawn up for a new Rock of Dunamase visitor experience linking Portlaoise and the Rock of Dunamase. 

Situated a 50 minute drive from Kilkenny City, it is envisaged that paying visitors will be attracted to the experience. 

Visitors will be able to learn about the Rock of Dunamase at the tourist visitor centre in Portlaoise where exhibits, including items of archaeological significance could be displayed. 

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Laois County Council has issued a tender for “the design and installation of an Enhanced Visitor Interpretation Experience at the Rock of Dunamase site.”

An interpretive strategy for the entire tourism project based around the Rock of Dunamase is included in documents accompanying the tender. The working title for the overall visitor experience is the ‘High Castle”.  

The strategy includes a plan to transform the old Ha’penny Schoolhouse on Church Avenue in Portlaoise into a dedicated visitor information centre where a hop-in/drop-off point for a shuttle bus and possibly small coaches could be located. 

The documents reveal Laois County Council Architect Jim Ward has drawn up a design document for the necessary refurbishment works at the old schoolhouse. 

The plan is focused on “the ability to connect the site with other castles and comparable sites across Ireland’s Ancient East is significant with Dunamase being at the crossroads of sites such as The Rock of Cashel, Birr Castle and King John’s Castle westwards and Kilkenny Castle to the south, as well as local heritage sites such as Emo Court or Timahoe Round Tower.”

The Dunamase visitor experience will be designed to align with a key theme of Ireland’s Ancient East being, ‘Castles and Conquests’. 

“The ruined castle at Dunamase bore witness to critical events in Irish history and holds the key to understanding major turning points in our history. Experiencing the castle is also understanding monastic and Gaelic Ireland, it is understanding the Norman Conquest of Ireland and demise of the Gaelic Order – all told through the lens of Dunamase,” the strategy documents explain. 

The vision for the Dunamase Heritage Visitor Experience includes a fully immersive Audio-Visual (AV) experience at the visitor information center, followed by a shuttle bus journey to the ancient ruined castle and guided tour on site. “The goal is to provide a captivating and educational experience for visitors, aligning with the Laois Tourism Strategy, Ireland's Ancient East brand, and relevant consumer segments,” the documents explain. 

It is important that interpretive proposals at the Rock of Dunamase must not impact the site. “Outside the site boundary, interpretation signage should include a map of the site (paths), things to look out for, and an advertisement for the visitor centre…Further interpretation signs could be added on the path to the Barbican Gate. Since this is an archaeological site, we must refrain from laying foundations or pouring concrete as much as possible. A possible approach would be to include free-standing timber signs with a heavy stone base which can be placed anywhere without interfering with the site,” the documents state. 

The overall strategy is in keeping with Ireland’s Ancient East’s key theme of Castles and Conquests. “With Vikings, Normans and castles playing a fundamental role in the region’s built heritage, counties including Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford have been identified as having potential to evolve as areas with a strong cluster of attractions that can draw international visitors and play a key role in extending the season and increasing dwell time in the region.  As well as guided tours of the castle and visitor experience in the local town, the strategy also aims to increase overnight stays. For the Rock of Dunamase, this could include the development of evening experiences including banqueting, dance and musical entertainment – facilitated by the new site car park and shuttle bus service from the town,” the documents state.

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That link between Portlaoise and the Rock of Dunamase is vital and the strategy notes that the council may qualify for the purchase of a 16 seater electric bus through the Climate Action Fund. 

”With comparatively-sized attractions, the estimated annual paid ticket level for the proposed experience would be in the region of 18,000 visitors per annum,” the strategy estimates. 

An archeological dig is taking place at the site of a proposed car park at the Rock of Dunamase.  

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey told the April meeting of the council that "construction will commence immediately after archeological excavations".

Fencing and a new entrance is expected to be in place at the site in the coming weeks. 

The closing date for tenders for the design and installation of an Enhanced Visitor Interpretation Experience at the Rock of Dunamase site is May 21.

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