A state-of-the-art visitor centre at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in County Sligo has been officially unveiled, following an investment of over €1.5 million by Fáilte Ireland, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The upgraded facility was opened on 1 April 2026 by Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin Moran, and Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O'Sullivan.

Delivered under Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Capital Investment Programme, the project is intended to position Carrowmore and Sligo as a must-visit stop along the Wild Atlantic Way and to stimulate tourism and wider economic activity across the region.

Carrowmore, among Europe's most significant prehistoric landscapes, contains Ireland's largest and oldest concentration of Neolithic tombs, with more than 30 surviving monuments dating back almost 6,000 years. It forms part of the Passage Tomb Landscape of Sligo, which sits on Ireland's Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage status.

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The refurbished centre introduces enhanced interpretation to communicate the site's archaeological importance, alongside improved amenities such as better accessibility, upgraded toilet facilities, an all-weather shelter, and redesigned internal and external layouts to ease visitor flow and comfort.

Welcoming the project, Minister Moran said: "This investment represents a significant enhancement to one of Ireland's most important archaeological sites. The improved visitor centre will allow us to present the story of Carrowmore in a more engaging and accessible way, while ensuring the long-term protection of this remarkable landscape."

Minister O'Sullivan added: "Carrowmore is a site of outstanding cultural and historical importance. This investment ensures that its story can be shared with a wider audience, while supporting the conservation of our archaeological heritage for future generations."

Commenting on the project's potential to boost the tourism economy, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said: "This investment directly supports the Government's tourism policy objective to drive more balanced regional growth by strengthening high-quality visitor experiences outside the main urban centres. The project demonstrates how strategic capital investment can unlock the potential of regional assets, sustain local employment, and contribute to long-term, sustainable growth in communities beyond the traditional tourism hotspots.

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, said: "Strategic investment in sites like Carrowmore is central to Fáilte Ireland's work to drive sustainable, regionally balanced growth in tourism. The upgraded visitor centre will greatly enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Sligo's position as a standout cultural destination, encouraging people to spend more time in the county and explore its wider network of exceptional megalithic sites."

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery operates seasonally from March to November, with guided tours available daily. For more information, visit www.heritageireland.ie.