Clonmacnoise Report 2024

CLONMACNOISE MONASTIC SITE

March 2024

FOREWORD

We acknowledge debts of gratitude and give thanks to the many people who provided information, insights and comments during the long process of this study. Michele O’Dea, Ronan Maguire and their colleagues at the OPW, who tirelessly manage the operations at Clonmacnoise and the staff at Clonmacnoise itself. Louise Brown, Louise Dyer, Madeleine Duncan for valuable input to the Dalton Centre strand and Joe Ryan at Bord na Mona.

Also, our thanks to the knowledgeable members of the project Working and Steering Groups appointed from the OPW, Fáilte Ireland, National Monuments Service, Offaly County Council and Sherwood Associates.

Commissioned By

Design Team

The monastic site at Clonmacnoise is located on the River Shannon, in Co. Offaly. It is one of the most important archaeological and historic sites in Ireland, and is of unique importance in the context of Irish monastic history. In particular, it provides an unparalleled, outstanding example of an early medieval, insular monastic city. The site is also relatively unspoiled by later modern development, and it is set within a landscape that has not changed significantly since the monastic site’s founding.

Today, Clonmacnoise continues to be used as a site of pilgrimage by people from both the local area and beyond, while it is also an important historic visitor attraction in its local area and region. In this regard, visitor numbers have grown over time, with a modern visitor centre to provide on-site facilities for visitors being first opened to the public in 1993. By that time, visitor numbers had increased to 110,000, while the site attracted 170,000 visitors as recently as 2017. However, the importance of conservation and protection of the site has been a priority at all times, with the need to cope with increasing visitor numbers being balanced with the need to safeguard the preservation of the site. There has been no major redevelopment or refurbishment of visitor centre facilities at

Clonmacnoise since the establishment of the existing visitor centre, and functional requirements for redevelopment include the need to improve:

• the configuration of the visitor centre, which is currently congested at busy periods;

• the layout and design of the exhibition displays, which are now dated by modern standards, primarily passive rather than interactive, and difficult to engage with;

• the audiovisual theatre and display, which again feels dated and could be significantly updated and addressed with additional language capacity, new narration etc; and

• the guiding facilities, such as through the use of automated language guiding facilities.

Again, management of an important heritage site like Clonmacnoise at all times also requires the establishment of an appropriate balance between the need for conservation and protection alongside those of access and socio-economic development. In this regard, any redevelopment must be guided by an underlying principle of “sustainability”, which strikes a balance between maximising enjoyment and use of the site while preserving its authenticity, its integrity and its setting.

The core project objectives for the proposed redevelopment can be summarised as follows:

1. to preserve, protect and maintain the Clonmacnoise site, and ensure its visitation, accessibility and enjoyment don’t undermine any aspect of its preservation;

2. to enhance the quality of the visitor experience;

3. to optimise the management of visitor flows at the monument;

4. to sustainably maximise the local economic impact and contribution of the monument;

5. to enhance the facilities in ways which complement and support wider local development initiatives and policies;

6. to minimise the carbon impact of any enhancement of the facilities;

7. to support wider environmental goals including with respect to water, waste and biodiversity;

8. to maximise social and community benefits associated with the monument;

9. to improve facilities for staff working at the monument; and

10. to minimise any period of closure or disruption until enhanced facilities are complete.

The aim of this project was the assessment of options given by the OPW (under a partnership agreement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and Fáilte Ireland) to determine their best approach for the enhancement of the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site visitor experience. This study set out to examine the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits, aiming to recommend an optimum option for enhancing the facilities at Clonmacnoise, while taking into consideration the requirements of sustainable tourism and bearing in mind the international significance and sensitivity of the archaeological remains.

As given in the project brief, amongst the options assessed were:

• Option 1: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise

• Option 2: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise, coupled with a transport link to and from a reception/parking facility at Shannonbridge. And

• Option 3: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise coupled with a new visitor facility in Shannonbridge and a transport link to the site at Clonmacnoise from Shannonbridge

The three options were sourced from OPW Invitation to Tender document Section 6.3: Project Details. Option 0- a do-nothing scenario was studied in the Preliminary Business Case (PBC), primarily as a baseline option. See PBC Appendix B.

Economic appraisal compares (a) the economic costs of progressing with each of the options with (b) the wider benefits each would generate in the wider local and regional economy. In the context of visitor attractions such as Clonmacnoise and a proposal to enhance the visitor facilities and experience there, the economic costs are therefore taken to be those related to the investment itself, as well as the costs of visitor service provision within the enhanced facilities over a 25-year period thereafter. Economic benefits, on the other

hand, relate to the wider expenditure of visitors to Clonmacnoise in the local and regional economy over the same time period. As both the capital and recurrent costs are assumed to be funded by the Exchequer, they are adjusted to reflect the shadow price of public funds, while results are also subjected to a number of sensitivity tests.

Based on the assumptions used, and discounting for future costs and benefits, economic appraisal suggests that Option 1 provides the best benefit cost ratio of the options considered. In addition, the multi-criteria analysis, like the economic appraisal, also suggests that Option 1 is the preferred option.

Underpinning the economic appraisal were outline design proposals for each option. It should be noted that these were necessarily highly conceptual, consistent with the nature of feasibility studies. Further design development and refinement will be required in the succeeding stages of the project.

Recommendation

The progression of Option 1 - development of an enhanced visitor experience within the current site - is recommended as the preferred option. This should involve the appointment of the dedicated design team, and the preparation of a definitive project brief and procurement strategy.

This document has been prepared to evaluate, at a high level, a precise number of options. The above recommendation is made under the clear assumption that all concepts developed within the report, should they advance further, will require Detailed Design incorporating the requisite reviews and approvals, including:

• Detailed evaluation by the OPW and in-line with OPW PMP procedures

• The consent of the National Monuments Service and the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage

• Where applicable Offaly County Council statutory planning requirements

Project Understanding

The aim of this project was the assessment of options given by the OPW (under a partnership agreement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and Fáilte Ireland) to determinate their best approach for the enhancement of the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site visitor experience. This study set out to examine the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits, aiming to recommend an optimum option for enhancing the facilities at Clonmacnoise, while taking into consideration the requirements of sustainable tourism and bearing in mind the international significance and sensitivity of the archaeological remains.

As given in the project brief, amongst the options assessed were:

• Option 1: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise

• Option 2: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise, coupled with a transport link to and from a reception/parking facility at Shannonbridge. And

• Option 3: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise coupled with a new visitor facility in Shannonbridge and a transport link to the site at Clonmacnoise from Shannonbridge

Option 0- a do-nothing scenario was studied in the PBC, primarily as a baseline option. See PBC Appendix B

The options were confirmed by the working and steering groups to be additive, not exclusive, in that Option 1 is the fundamental development to

which Options 2 and 3 are joined.

The project is divided into two stages, as follows;

Stage 1- Development of Options

The team worked with the OPW, Fáilte Ireland, the National Monuments Service and other stakeholders to determine needs and objectives, to specify the development parameters, design concepts, and operational features of the options, along with their likely investment costs and visitor capacities.

This stage considered the complexities of site carrying capacities, site constraints, archaeological and ecological sensitivities, likely statutory requirements including planning requirements, and physical constraints and opportunities. Stakeholder consultations were undertaken at this stage (see page 5 for an inventory of key meetings). While options were tested for feasibility, the design work was necessarily at a high, conceptual level, sufficient to allow cost estimation and likely operational implications, opportunities, advantages, disadvantages and risks. It was noted by all that the options are likely to require the consent of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in order to proceed.

Stage 2- Option Appraisal and Preliminary Business Cases

Following the specification and estimation of the development costs, the options were subjected to a rigorous eco-nomic appraisal of their full likely economic costs and benefits, qualitative performance, and ranking of desirability.

The design team prepared an Options Appraisal Methodology (see section 5 and Appendix B)

which was later agreed by the Strategic Partnership Steering Group. This methodology followed good practice in economic, social and environmental appraisal, and considered all relevant costs, benefits and performance criteria, and allowed for the clear identification of the preferred option based on the objective analysis of all considerations. The economic appraisal forms part of a Preliminary Business Case for each option, thus complying with the Public Spending Code.

Following the Options Appraisal and PBC stage, the design team identified the optimum development option and stated clearly the reasons for this recommendation.

Importance

The Clonmacnoise monastic site located on the River Shannon in Co. Offaly, is one of the most important archaeological and historic sites in Ireland and is of unique importance to any visitor seeking to understand the course of Irish monastic history. At its height in the 11th century, it was home to over 2,000 inhabitants including monks, scholars and artists living and working together to create a thriving community with far reaching influence across the Christian world. The imposing ruins are a tangible reminder that at one time this monastic settlement was one of the most important cultural places in Ireland and a leading centre of religion and learning in Europe.

Clonmacnoise is an unparalleled, outstanding example of an early medieval insular monastic city, unspoilt by later modern development and set within a magnificent landscape, parts of which have not changed much since the monastery’s founding. It contains a significant number of Ireland’s built

heritage remains, now protected under National Monuments Service legislation. The archaeological sites here cover the period from Early Christianity to the close of the 17th century.

Clonmacnoise early medieval monastic site is a National Monument in the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and as such, the national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014. It is under the management and care of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is of both national and international significance.

Transition

This study takes place against broad economic change in the region, with Just Transition aiming to diversify the regional economy. The Midlands Pathway to Transition 2020, the national Just Transition Plan 2020 and the EU Just Transition Fund maps out a process for transition in the Midlands as the region comes to terms with the cessation of peat production and endeavours to embrace new opportunities. We recognise that much work is underway and many different but related initiatives and projects are being taken forward by key players at a range of different levels and locations locally, regionally and nationally. All these different strands of activity have relevance for Clonmacnoise and impact on the wider locality; we have compiled this study with the aim that development of Clonmacnoise will be part of a future integrated approach. Key partners are aligning their individual efforts towards a collective endeavour, based on a common understanding of the opportunities presented and a shared agenda for action.

Key stakeholders

• Office of Public Works (OPW)

• National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (NMS)

• Fáilte Ireland (FI)

• Offaly County Council (OCC)

Other interested Parties

• Shannonbridge Action Group (SAG)

• GHD Advisory (GHD)

• Louise Browne Associates (LBA)

• University of Galway- Peatlands and People (UG)

• Bord na Mona (BNM)

• Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

• Waterways Ireland

• Offaly Local Development Company

Key Meetings

10.02.23 Presentation Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OCC / NMS / OPW / FI

20.02.23 Presentation Meeting. Attendees: DT / OPW

06.03.23 Presentation Meeting. Attendees: DT / OCC

23.03.23 Presentation Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OPW

11.04.23 Presentation Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OPW

17.04.23 Presentation Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OCC/ FI

19.04.23 Presentation Meeting. Attendees: DT / NMS

02.05.23 Steering Group Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OCC / FI / OPW

11.05.23 On site - Clonmacnoise.

Attendees: DT / NMS

11.05.23 Shannonbridge Meeting.

Attendees: DT / SAG / GHD

10.07.23 Shannonbridge Meeting. Attendees: DT / GHD

14.07.23 Presentation Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OPW

05.09.23 Working Group Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OCC / FI / OPW

Summary of key working group decisions / clarifications

Option 1: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience at Clonmacnoise.

• This option is the base project for other options and is to be included in Options 2 & 3.

• The car park at Clonmacnoise will not be closed to visitors. Option 2 (park & ride) and Option 3 (a new Clonmacnoise visitor centre in Shannonbridge, with park & ride) will not include reducing or closing on-site car parking at Clonmacnoise.

• The car and coach parking areas are to be softened with inclusion of planting where possible, consistent with usage and circulation systems.

• An increase in visitor numbers, over and above that of existing levels, is to be encouraged during the off-peak and shoulder seasons.

• A more robust visitor management system is to be implemented at Clonmacnoise during the peak season with fully on-line booking for visitors and car parking, to better manage existing levels of visitor numbers.

• See Appendix D for notes on visitor numbers and carrying capacity.

• The proposed location of new exhibition spaces at Clonmacnoise, to the west of the existing building, is accepted and its low impact nature on the monastic enclosure is acknowledged. However, as the project progresses there will be a need for detailed archaeological assessment and further investigation of this area.

• For the existing shop at Clonmacnoise, currently owned by Fáilte Ireland and leased to a third party, technical investigations (e.g. services, utilities) are recommended, before a new use can be proposed. The existing wc drainage run is not currently mapped.

Option 2: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience at Clonmacnoise coupled with a transport link to and from a reception/parking facility at Shannonbridge (park & ride)

Option 3: Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience at Clonmacnoise coupled with a new visitor facility n Shannonbridge and a transport link to and from Shannonbridge.

• The candidate sites in Shannonbridge for Options 2 and 3 were confirmed as (i) the School site, (ii) the Field site, and (iii) the Dalton Centre site.

• For the purposes of this study, as outlined in the brief, Option 3 includes consideration of a Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre in the Dalton Centre - not an analysis of other potential complementary uses for the Dalton Centre, though these were discussed at meetings with both SAG and GHD.

12.09.23 Steering Group Meeting.

Attendees: DT / OCC / FI / OPW

2. APPROACH & METHODOLOGY

The various historic structures, ruins and monuments which together make up the Clonmacnoise site are a significant national heritage asset, a national monument, and a substantial visitor attraction. As such they give rise to economic and societal costs which are incurred in their protection, conservation and promotion, as well as enjoying the economic and societal benefits associated with their, inter alia, intrinsic heritage value, their attraction of visitors and associated expenditure, their bequest for future generations and their educational value, amongst other positive effects.

For the purposes of the assignment, our approach has been to consider and objectively assess all options within a framework which compares such costs (considered as “inputs”) to such benefits (considered as “out-puts”), in order to systematically determine the most net beneficial option from the point of view of public policy. Within any such option, the scope of any potential intervention at the site (or option) depends on its future protection and care, its carrying capacity, and the defacto preferences of visitors and consumers as to how and to what extent they wish to enjoy it.

This general conceptual framework is depicted in Fig 1.

The requirements of the assignment had two core elements:

• The development of what was considered the appropriate outline specifications of the visitor facilities proposed under each option, that present attractive, sustainable, feasible and sensitive interventions; and

• The conducting of a detailed economic assessment of these, which considered all relevant features and effects of the options, and which objectively and evidentially determined the preferred option, leading to the presentation of the analysis within a Preliminary Business Case, as required under the Public Spending Code.

We have considered these overall requirements and set out a general methodology for meeting all of the requirements within a work programme that involved six core work streams, each with submodules and elements as shown in Fig 2.

Fig 1. Diagram from tender

Fig 2. Stages, diagram from tender

3. THE SITES AT CLONMACNOISE AND SHANNONBRIDGE

Connections

The two sites share more than a county and a Shannon-side location. Both are situated at important river crossings, one ancient, one more recent. They also share a physical and cultural landscape shaped by the raised bogs of the central midlands. Connected most obviously by the river and by an esker roadway (the R444), both locations are central to new proposals for the remediation of the intervening bog landscape.

This initiative, following the decommissioning of the West Offaly power station and the scaling back of industrialised peat extraction by Bord na Mona, is being actively pursued by Offaly County Council. The new proposals include the provision of a greenway along the lines of the old bog trains; the proposed Dublin-Galway Greenway (EuroVelo Route #2) also traverses the hinterland of the two sites and a new public bus service introduced in September 2023 runs between Athlone and Shannonbridge, via Clonmacnoise.

This new bus service, the Local Link 850, operates between Clonmacnoise and Shannonbridge village as part of a route extending from Athlone to Roscrea. It is a fundamental ‘gamechanger’ as it operates seven days a week, with four services per day calling at Shannonbridge main street before transiting to Clonmacnoise car park, and four services calling at Clonmacnoise car park and transiting to Shannonbridge main street.

Policy Documents and Insights

There is a detailed bibliography at Appendix E. The main policy and insight documents that have been consulted for this study are;

• Offaly County Development Plan 2021 - 2027

• Draft Offaly Tourism Strategy 2024

• Shannon Tourism Management Plan 20202030 – Waterways Ireland & Fáilte Ireland, and supporting document:

SAE Statement for the Tourism Masterplan for the Shannon (2020 - 2030)

• IHH Strategy - Fáilte Ireland’s Strategic Objectives for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands 2023 - 2027 and supporting documents:

• Concept Deep Dive Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre

Concept 189, Innovation Screener Research 2022

– Fáilte Ireland

• Travel Motivations Framework – Fáilte Ireland

• Sustainable Tourism in Ireland: Understanding the Opportunity - Fáilte Ireland

• World Heritage Site Draft Management Plan 2009 – 2014

• Just Transition Commissioner Reports 2020-2021

• Protection of Archaeological HeritageFramework and Principles for the Protection of Archaeological Heritage (1999)

Legend

Flood Area

Bogs

Existing Waterway

Existing Cycle way / Pilgrim walk

Existing Bus 850 Route

Existing Railways (Proposed connection)

Road Connection between intervention areas

Proposed Greenway

Context Map

3.1 Clonmacnoise

Introduction

The Site

The remains at Clonmacnoise are comprised of a ruined cathedral, at least nine churches, two towers and over 700 grave slabs. The archaeology is world class and includes three magnificent 10th century high crosses that display some of the finest historical stone carving in Ireland.

Existing Visitor Facilities, Site Operation and Management

The current visitor facilities, dating from the early 1990’s, are comprised of a purpose-built centre that provides reception and ticketing facilities, exhibition space, toilets and access to the wider site. A short AV presentation provides an introduction to the larger monastic site.

Guided tours are on offer along with audio guides in a limited number of languages. The retail element is an independent unit located across from the entrance to the car park. The centre and monastic site are in the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and managed by the OPW, while Fáilte Ireland own and lease the on-site shop to a third party.

Survey of Visitors

See Appendix D for visitor numbers.

Key Stakeholders

OPW, Fáilte Ireland, National Monuments Service, Offaly County Council, Parish, Church of Ireland, Minister For Housing, Local Government and Heritage, private landowners.

Site Capacity and Development Constraints

See Appendix D for notes on site capacity

Statutory Protections

The protection and conservation of Clonmacnoise is controlled by a range of national legislation, local mechanisms, international guidelines, statutory and non-statutory guidance. Legislative provisions include, amongst others, the following:

• The National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014,

• The Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2023,

• Planning and Development Acts,

• Various EU directives as well as,

• International charters.

National Legislation

National Monuments Acts 1930–2014

The Monastic city of Clonmacnoise is a National Monument, as defined in the National Monuments Act 1930-2014. The National Monuments Service legislative code makes provision for the protection and preservation of National Monuments and for the preservation of archaeological objects in the State. Clonmacnoise is afforded the high-est level of statutory protection. It is a National Monument in State ownership, the preservation of which is a matter of national importance by reason of its historical, architectural, traditional, artistic or archaeological interest.

The monastic enclosure itself is within the jurisdiction of Offaly County Council and subject to the guidelines and recommendations within the current Offaly County Development Plan 20212027, while its wider cultural land-scape context includes Counties Westmeath and Roscommon. The three County Councils together recognise the importance of Clonmacnoise to the overall quality of the regional landscape and natural environment and strive to protect and enhance it wherever possible.

International Legislation

Relevant international legislation includes the EU Birds Directive; the Habitats Directive, which governs Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs); the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Sites); The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); The Council of Europe European Landscape Convention (2000); and the Water Framework and Nitrates Directives.

Archaeology

See Archaeological Appraisal and Map on page 15.

See Appendix C for ‘Methodology for Archaeological Assessment’ (D Murphy 2023)

Existing underground services plan

See Map on page 17.

3.2 Shannonbridge

Introduction

Context and connection to Clonmacnoise

See Context Map on page 7.

Offaly County Development Plan 2021 -2027 Village Plans

Given its location on the River Shannon and proximity to Clonmacnoise, tourism makes a significant contribution to the local economy of Shannonbridge. It is approximately 10km south of Clonmacnoise at the junction of the R357 and R444 regional roads. This tourism potential could be further developed by promoting Shannonbridge as a tourism hub for exploring Clonmacnoise and a node on the county’s proposed greenway network. It is also connected to Clonmacnoise by water (two private services) and by public transport (Bus Eireann).

Context & relation to West Offaly Power Station

See Shannonbridge Area Map on page 23.

The West Offaly power station which opened in 2004 and was one of the largest peat burning facilities in the world at that time, was decommissioned at the end of 2020. It was a key employer in the local area. Its future is currently under review by the ESB.

Part of the power station site, the Dalton Centre, is being made available to Offaly County Council by the ESB for re-purposing as community use and to benefit Shannonbridge. This is currently the subject of a study by GHD.

The Town

Shannonbridge is situated at a bridging point of the River Shannon in West Offaly on the border with County Roscommon. The settlement is predominately linear in fashion and characterised by low density development and a traditional main street. Environmental and flood designations restrict development to the north and south along the River Shannon.

Existing Services and Facilities

Roman Catholic Church, Church of Ireland Church, Tourist Office, Playground, Bring Centre, Health Centre, Post Office, 2 no. Shops, 3 no. Pubs, 2 no. Restaurants and 2 no. Bed & Breakfasts, Public Facilities. The National School and GAA Grounds are located outside the settlement boundary. The village is served by the Local Link bus service.

Waste Water Treatment: Shannonbridge Waste Water Treatment Plant

Water Supply: Moyclare Rural Water Supply Scheme

Broadband: High Speed Fibre Broadband

See analysis in map on page 11.

Shannonbridge Village Plan

Shannonbridge’s Bridge

Shannonbridge’s Church in Main Street

West Offaly Power Station

Shannonbridge’s Aerial View

3. THE SITES AT CLONMACNOISE AND SHANNONBRIDGE

Other relevant studies:

Shannonbridge: Destination Development Plan is currently being prepared by Louise Browne Associates.

Dalton Centre Re-purposing Study is currently being prepared by GHD and Louise Browne Associates. The project team have liaised with Louise Browne and the Shannonbridge Action Group, we suggest the Clonmacnoise proposed option supports their initiatives.

Three Sites were selected by Offaly County Council and identified to us for potential development, one of which will shortly be in the ownership of Offaly County Council (Dalton Centre). These were each appraised and evaluated.

1. The School Site on Main Street

2. The Field Site on Main Street

3. The Dalton Centre, outside town, adjacent to the now-defunct West Offaly Power Station. Pages 24 to 26.

Site’s comparator

Please refer to page 23

Key Stakeholders

• Offaly County Council

• Shannonbridge Action Group

• Private landowners

Other Interested Parties

• GHD Advisory (GHD)

• Louise Browne Associates (LBA)

• University of Galway- Peatlands and People (UG)

• Bord na Mona (BNM)

• Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

• Waterways Ireland

• Offaly Local Development Company

Many different but related initiatives are being taken forward by key players. All these different strands of activity have relevance for Clonmacnoise and impact on the wider area. Shannonbridge and Clonmacnoise will have a mutually beneficial relationship as the village further develops its visitor offerings. Connectivity between the village and the Monastic Site can provide pleasurable travel by offering visitors a choice of onward, off-road, slow travel to the Monastic Site. While Clonmacnoise, as a major attraction, will also provide information on, and wayfinding to, what is on offer in the locality.

Shannonbridge Town

Road to Clonmacnoise

Shannonbridge’s Main Street

Shannonbridge’ Area

WaterwayStop

Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience at Clonmacnoise

4.1.1. Baseline Research & Analysis

Existing facilities and plans

The imposing ruins of Clonmacnoise on the banks of the River Shannon are a tangible reminder that at one time this monastic settlement was one of the most important in Ireland and a leading centre of religion and learning in Europe.

At its height in the 11th century it was home to over 2000 inhabitants including monks, scholars and artists living and working together to create a thriving community with far reaching influence across the Christian world.

The site comprises of a ruined cathedral, at least nine churches, two towers and over 700 grave slabs. The archaeology is world class and includes three magnificent 10th century high crosses that display some of the finest historical stone carving in Ireland.

ShannonRiver

4.1. OPTION 1: CLONMACNOISE EXISTING VISITOR CENTRE

Site operation and management

The current visitor facilities comprise of a purposebuilt visitor centre that provides reception and ticketing facilities, exhibition space, a modest café (closed and converted to office space during Covid), toilets and access to the wider site. A short AV presentation provides an introduction to the site.

Guided tours are on offer along with audio guides in a limited number of languages. The retail is an independent unit located at the entrance to the car park.

In 2019 the site attracted over 140,000, well beyond the site capacity of the visitor centre.

O’Rourke’s Tower and Gallery of Ancient Grave Slabs

Old plan showing Gallery of Ancient Grave Slabs

Car park Area, non-excavated. Significant archaeological remains expected

Indicative excavated areas under archaeological supervision

Preferred zone for new intervention primarily as there would be a resulting low visual impact on the core of the monastic site to the east. Also this area originally contained Molloys House and associated outbuildings to rear which would suggest previous disturbance as a result of its construction and demolition Archaeological Plan - Scale 1:1000

Potential to contain significant stratified archaeological deposits. Previous excavations by Con Manning in the Steeple Garden have shown this area to be rich in buried archaeological features. The proximity of this area to the core features of the ecclesiastical site make it unsuitable for further development plus there would be a negative visual impact on the churches and high crosses.

Excavations below each High Cross have revealed evidence for the presence of original wooden crosses and a significant number of burials of probable high status individuals.

Previous excavations here revealed significant metal working activity away from the centre of the monastic site and closer to the river’s edge. This may suggest this area had an industrial rather than a settlement function

The burials of two females were found during excavations here (outside the line of the monastic enclosure) alongside a small section of ditch that could indicate the presence of a female cemetery just south of the existing shop.

Likely cemetery location to the south of Shop. Extent unknown.

The new graveyard. Excavations with significant settlement activity. Area to be avoided

Previous excavations on the site of the shop revealed a massive 6m wide and 4m deep enclosing ditch around the monastery. This returned northwards towards the castle. Another section was found during excavations below the car-park. It likely continued east enclosing the core of the monastic site.

Pilgrim Road connecting the Nuns Church with the monastery in Clonmacnoise

Core Area of Monastery

Preferred Zone of Intervention

Existing underground Services Plan

Showing surface water, waste water, mains water and electrical cable runs, as well as the waste water treatment plant.

There are current proposals to improve the efficiency of the existing waste water treatment plant.

Underground services for the existing Shop are recommended for survey and investigation.

Underground Services Plan* - Scale 1:500

Legend

Waste water pipe runs

Surface water pipe runs

Grease trap and pipe run

Mains water pipe run

Electrical cable run

Data cable run (cameras/telecom)

Sampling / monitoring chamber

Existing dosing tank

Existing Mixing tank

Overflow tank

SW Discharge

Existing Well

Soakaway pit 3x3x2dp approx.

*Services drawing for information only.

Key interventions

• Refurbishment, alterations and new extension to existing visitor centre to improve visitor circulation / comfort

• New visitor entrance and exit sequences to provide designated safe access / egress for pedestrians and cyclists along historic route to the monastic site from the south

• Upgraded hard and soft landscaping to car / coach parking areas

• Re-location and rationalisation of staff facilities at existing shop area

Design Intentions

The Old Road

The design intention, at the larger scale, is to improve the approach and entry sequence to the heritage site for all visitors, whether arriving by boat, bike, on foot or by vehicle. A key factor in this is the reinstatement of the line of the old access road, as shown in historic maps and photographs. It is intended that this will provide a Greenway-type access to the site exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists, separated from vehicular traffic. This move will restore the historic initial views of the approach to the monastic enclosure from the south.

Associated with this will be the provision of new soft landscaping areas to the parking forecourt to soften the current large expanses of tarmac. Coaches and cars will be carefully screened by new planting and their associated line markings and signage will be replaced by more discrete signalling and wayfinding systems.

The reinstatement of the old road continues along a pathway leading to a new entrance forecourt, established in front of the old farmhouse building, elements of which still remain. We consider it appropriate that the old road once again leads to the old farmhouse, as a valuable historic thread around which is woven the fabric of the newly constituted cultural landscape. On completion of a visit to the monastic enclosure, exit is again via the old road.

New Staff Facilities / Visitor Toilets

Temple Fineen Mac Carthy’s Tower

Papal Oratory

O’Rourke’s Round Tower

Temple Connor (Parish Church)

Temple Kelly

Temple Kieran

O’Melaghlin’s Chapel Temple Hurpan

The New Building

The design intention, at the building scale, is to work with the existing buildings. This retains the significant carbon investment in the site to date and is the most sustainable method of development. The new extension is proposed as a compact, single-storey building, intended to be of factoryprefabricated Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) construction and brought to site. It would then be installed on screw-pile foundations to minimise disruption to the underlying archaeology. This is a low-carbon form of construction.

The new larger internal spaces, sitting alongside the refurbished existing buildings, provide much-needed space for updated AV facilities, as well improving visitor circulation and comfort. This strategy would also allow for good visual connections between the interiors and the external landscape, not provided for in the existing building. The overall floor areas provided are 983 sqm, being 738 sqm existing refurbished and 245 sqm newbuild.

The Existing Shop

It is proposed that the rationalisation of staff facilities, now currently scattered in temporary buildings throughout the site would be accommodated in the existing shop. However, the provision of water and drainage facilities in this area would need further study.

Sustainability concepts

The sustainability concept for the extended centre, aside from the retention of the existing buildings, includes the incorporation of renewable technologies (wind, geo-thermal, PV, solar panels, etc). The heating and ventilation systems proposed for the new centre will benefit from these renewable sources of energy; this will be explored more fully in the succeeding detailed stages of the project. The form of construction proposed (CLT timber construction) is one of low-embodied carbon.

The sustainability concept also includes for the provision of welcome facilities for visitors arriving by boat, by bicycle, by public transport or on foot, in order to encourage diversification from private motorised vehicles.

Views towards the Castle

Views towards the River

Views towards the Monastic Site

Exemplar of Bike Station

Diagram of Proposal

Exhibition design concept

External space and an open reception area create a welcoming and inviting entrance to the site. An orientation space allows visitors to familiarise themselves with the internal and external site before beginning their exploration. The addition of 2 galleries creates space for an immersive projection experience and object displays alongside digital and physical interactives. Updated High Cross displays brings the interpretation in line with the rest of the exhibition.

Legend

External welcome point with seating, bike parking, interpretation and space for a temporary coffee kiosk

Reception with welcome desk, seating and gathering point (63m²)

Orientation of indoor / outdoor spaces and site introduction (132m²)

Immersive projection show and audio experience that ends in a reveal of the view to the castle (78m²)

Artefact displays alongside physical models of the site and digital interactives / viewpoint out to the River Shannon (88m²)

Viewpoint to the burial site and River Shannon / connection space with views to specific landmarks (43m²)

Existing High Crosses displayed alongside updated graphic and interpretation panels with the opportunity for digital interactives within each space (187m²)

External interpretation and wayfinding

Monastic site with wayfinding and potential for hand held digital media

Landscaped interpretive trail

Visitor Centre Entrance

Carpark

Toilets

Bike Parking Area

Pedestrian circulation

Self-guided tour of Monastic Site

The larger gallery space allows for a higher capacity of visitors to explore the space at the same time. At various points on the journey, views out to the castle, the River Shannon and the monastic site allow visitors to feel connected to the wider landscape and add context to the interpretive content. A simple wayfinding and interpretation approach around the monastic structures allows visitors to be guided on their exploration, without distracting from the important content of the site itself.

External welcome point with seating, bike parking, interpretation and space for a temporary coffee kiosk

Reception with welcome desk, seating and gathering point (63m²)

Orientation of indoor / outdoor spaces and site introduction (132m²)

Immersive projection show and audio experience that ends in a reveal of the view to the castle (78m²)

Artefact displays alongside physical models of the site and digital interactives / viewpoint out to the River Shannon (88m²)

Viewpoint to the burial site and River Shannon / connection space with views to specific landmarks (43m²)

Existing High Crosses displayed alongside updated graphic and interpretation panels with the opportunity for digital interactives within each space (187m²)

External interpretation and wayfinding

Monastic site with wayfinding and potential for hand held digital media

Landscaped interpretive trail

Visitor Centre Entrance

Carpark

Toilets

Parking Area

Pop-up coffee shop

Isometric Plan

Bike

4

An immersive gallery with projection show and audio takes the visitor on a journey

through the history of the Clonmacnoise site from inception to the present day. The shapes of the seating blocks within the space are inspired by forms found on the site. At the end of the immersive show, the projection on the glazed facade ends to reveal views out to the castle.

4.2. SHANNONBRIDGE SITE APPRAISAL ANALYSIS

Sites appraisal and evaluation summary

The three sites identified by Offaly County Council were appraised and evaluated according to the methodology outlined below. All sites would be subject to similar, requisite approvals (as previously outlined re Option 1) i.e. OPW evaluation and Offaly County Council statutory planning requirements

Site 3, the Dalton Centre, site scored highest and was selected for further review in Options 2 & 3. Site 1, the School site, was considered too small and Site 2, the Field site, is prone to flooding.

Score Criteria

3 Area under consideration has potential to fully address the listed objective

2 Area under consideration has the potential to adequately address the listed objective or presents a minor deviation from the listed objective

1 Doubt as to whether the area under consideration can meet the listed objective

0 Area under consideration insufficient to meet the listed objective

Scoring Criteria Basis for score

Proximity to local businesses Accessibility to village centre existing retail/restaurants

Opportunity to provide an attractive visitor experience

Site accessibility

General attractiveness of the site, existing building fabric and quality of immediate vicinity

Access by car, coaches, bikes and boat, proximity to existing transport network

Ecological impact Potential disturbance of natural habitat fauna/flora

Site capacity for parking Suitability to accommodate car & coach parking

Ownership/Commercial consideration/zoning

Culture / Tourism Benefits

Proximity to local businesses

Opportunity

Site accessibility

Investment required for potential development, site zoning

Suitability for providing benefits to local community and community access

Accessibility to village centre existing retails/restaurants

General attractiveness, existing building fabric and quality of immediate vicinity

0 1 Access by car, coaches, bikes and boat, proximity to existing transport network

Ecological impact 1 0 3 Potential disturbance of natural habitat fauna/flora

Site capacity for parking 1 0 3 Suitability to accommodate car & coach parking

Ownership / Site Acquisition / Site Treatment

1 2 Investment required for potential development Culture / Tourism Benefits

Shannonbridge Area

School site

Field site

Dalton Centre site

4.2. SHANNONBRIDGE SITE APPRAISAL ANALYSIS

1. School site

The School site is in close proximity to the centre of Shannonbridge. It is situated on the main street at the eastern edge of town. It is listed as a Protected Structure in the Offaly County Council Development Plan 2021-2027.

However, the limited space for the quantum of parking and the presence of the esker at the rear of the site would re-strict the potential for development at the scale envisaged, on environmental grounds. Expansion to the rear or side of the school, of the scale envisaged, would destroy the setting and curtilage of the Protected Structure and would there-fore be inconsistent with the policy aims of Offaly County Council, as follows (excerpts from Development Plan);

10.3.1 Alterations / Extension of Protected Structures: The Council will ensure that alterations or extensions to protected structures shall only be permitted if the proposals are in keeping with the character of the structure and preserve the architectural and historic features of the structure.

10.3.2 Change of Use of Protected Structures: The Council will favourably consider the change of use of any building listed for protection provided that such a change of use does not seriously impact on its intrinsic character, subject to other planning and environmental standards and requirements.

Does not meet requirements.

Scoring Criteria Scores Basis for score

Proximity to local businesses 2 Site 10 min walk from the village centre

Opportunity to provide an attractive visitor experience 1 Insufficient space available to host envisaged accommodations

Site accessibility 1 Site off the main village road, but at “wrong end”

Ecological impact 1 Esker at the rear of the site limits the development

Site capacity for parking 1 Limited size available for car parking, no capacity to accommodate coaches.

Ownership / Site Acquisition / Site Treatment 1 Increased costs for refurbishing / demolishing existing building / protected structure

Culture / Tourism Benefits 2 Close to village and river, but limited parking (esker at rear), accessibility issues (hill)

Sub-Total 9

Weighted Total (%) 43

To Clonmacnoise

2. Field site

The Field site is in close proximity to the centre of Shannonbridge. It is situated on the main street opposite the School at the eastern edge of town. The site is known to flood and mitigating this would mean higher than normal design and construction costs.

However, while this could give rise to an interesting design possibility whereby a signature building, accessed via a bridging walkway, could be raised off the ground on piles to ‘float’ above the seasonally flooded terrain and while this would certainly act as a potent focal point for visitors, not only to Shannonbridge and Clonmacnoise, but to the wider Midlands region, the over-riding issue of accommodating vehicular traffic and parking would appear to be insurmountable.

See Offaly County Council Development Plan Flood Maps (Appendix II Flood Mapping- Offaly CDP 2021-2027 SFRA Shannonbridge).

Does not meet requirements.

This map indicates a Future Mid-Range Scenario Fluvial of 1% AEP (Annual Exceedence Probability) for the site, which is designated as a medium probability of flooding of 1 in 100 years. Scoring

Proximity to local businesses 2 Site 10 min walk from the village centre

Opportunity to provide an attractive visitor experience

Sufficient space available to host envisaged accommodations

Site accessibility 0 Site off the main village road, but increased cost due to flooding

Ecological impact 0 Site is known to flood.

Site capacity for parking 0 Adequate size available for car parking and coaches but increased cost due to flooding

Ownership / Site Acquisition / Site Treatment

Substantially increased costs due to flooding

To Clonmacnoise

4.2. SHANNONBRIDGE SITE APPRAISAL ANALYSIS

3. Dalton Centre site

The Dalton Centre building and site is being made available by the ESB to Offaly County Council for repurposing as community use and to benefit Shannonbridge. This enormous structure offers a unique opportunity as it has the scale, size, scope and potential to positively contribute to the community’s long-term sustainability and development. It can play a key role in realising the community’s ambition for its future economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being.

The Dalton Centre, comprises an enormous (c.1200 m² with roof height of approx. 10m) narrow concrete building located beside the West Offaly power station site. Originally designed as a peatblending bunker it was never actually used for this purpose and has remained idle for many years.

The Dalton site has an adequate area to allow for a sizable visitor centre with sufficient car parking. However, the site would need to be remediated and while development here would need to account for this, any development would have positive environmental consequences

In terms of the brief, the location of the site is not ideal, being distant (20-min walk) from the village centre through an industrial landscape. The existing building would require thorough upgrading to provide an appropriate cultural / community facility.

Scoring Criteria Scores Basis for score

Proximity to local businesses

Site 20 min walk from the village centre, means no benefit to village businesses

Opportunity to provide an attractive visitor experience 2 Sufficient space available to host envisaged accommodations

Site accessibility 1 Site is on an isolated area. Mostly industrial use.

Ecological impact 3 No negative ecological impact.

Site capacity for parking

Ownership / Site Acquisition / Site Treatment

Culture / Tourism Benefits

Sub-Total

Weighted Total (%)

Adequate size available for car parking and coaches

Site owned by Offaly County Council; increased costs for refurbishing existing building; potential polluted land

Distance from village and river, situated in industrial landscape

To Clonmacnoise

Problematic; Distance from town / Industrial context.

West Offaly Power Station

Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise, coupled with a transport link to and from a reception/parking facility at Shannonbridge

4.3.1 Developed Design Concepts

Key Interventions:

Provision of a new shuttle bus system to/from Clonmacnoise to include the following;

• New car and coach parking facilities in a landscaped area in front of the Dalton Centre

• New extension to the east side of the existing building to provide a visitor reception / waiting room, with a small exhibition area and wc facilities.

Design Intent:

The design intention is to provide the visitor with an appropriate first taste of the heritage site at Clonmacnoise.

The new building, of 85sqm, is attached to the Dalton Centre, firstly to provide shelter and facilities for those waiting for the shuttle bus- a small exhibition area is envisaged- and secondly, to provide these support services for the use of the Dalton Centre, should it be required.

Sustainability concept

The sustainability concept for the new centre includes the incorporation of renewable technologies (wind, geo-thermal, PV, solar panels, etc)- to be explored more fully in the succeeding stages of the project.

4.3. OPTION 2: ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH A TRANSPORT LINK

The space layout provides visitors with the basic facilities they require before travelling to the Clonmacnoise site. The external seating within landscaped areas provides spaces for groups to gather or visitors to stop and rest before their journey to Clonmacnoise. The internal space contains a reception desk as well as 2 touchscreen monitors that visitors can use to explore information about the site they are about to visit.

A cast 3D graphic facade on the front of the building reflects the various stone textures that can be found at Clonmacnoise. Ample bike parking encourages the use of green transport to the site. A safe, covered walkway allows visitors to gather in a sheltered space.

Isometric Plan - Scale 1:100

Legend

Benches within landscaped area

External Interpretation point

Staff facilities

Reception desk

Interpretation touchscreens

Indoor seating

Landscaped area

Visitor Centre Entrance

Carpark

Toilets

Bike Parking Area

A glazed covered walkway means pedestrians and cyclists can approach the building to use the toilet facilities, take a seat within one of the landscaped areas, gather as a group or enter the internal space to access the reception or information touchscreens. An external interpretation podium gives visitors an introduction to the Clonmacnoise site they are about to explore.

Development of an Enhanced Visitor Experience within the current site at Clonmacnoise coupled with a new visitor facility in Shannonbridge and a transport link to the site at Clonmacnoise from Shannonbridge

Key Interventions:

Provision of a new shuttle bus system to/from Clonmacnoise to include the following;

4.4. OPTION 3: ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH A VISITOR FACILITY AT SHANNONBRIDGE

• New car and coach parking facilities in a landscaped area in front of the Dalton Centre

• Refurbishment of 50% of the Dalton Centre building to provide visitor reception, exhibition areas, staff and visitor facilities, community resource rooms and a gift shop. The remaining area of the Dalton Centre is available for complementary uses (cultural, community, etc).

Design Intent:

The design intention is to provide the visitor with an appropriate first taste of the heritage site at Clonmacnoise.

The refurbished building, incorporating the new extension outlined in Option 2, is 842 sqm in area. The accommodation is contained within the large internal volume of the existing building with the insertion of a mezzanine floor. The existing massive steel structural elements and the enclosing precast concrete walls are retained and the new interventions are carefully inserted within this industrial framework. The materials of the new works will be chosen to complement though somewhat soften the strength of the existing functional aesthetic.

Sustainability Concept

The new car and coach parking facilities are accommodated in an extended landscaped area in front of the building. The sustainability concept for the new centre includes the provision of extensive arrays of PV panels over the parking bays, along with the incorporation of other renewable technologies (wind, geo-thermal, other solar, etc)to be explored more fully in the succeeding stages of the project.

To Shannonbridge Town & Clonmacnoise

Lough Boora - Landscaped Carpark Example

Bordeaux Stade - Solar Panels Example

OPTION 3: ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH A VISITOR FACILITY AT SHANNONBRIDGE

Exhibition design concept

A generous reception area creates a welcoming space for visitors to gather, browse the gift shop and be greeted by staff at reception. The orientation point is constructed using block shapes to reflect the industrial heritage of Shannonbridge which visitors can explore via various physical and digital interactives. The first floor is accessed via the wide central stair or the lift. Staff offices and a flexible education room are situated at the rear of the building.

Once the visitor reaches the first floor, they can begin the journey along the Shannon river which is projected onto the floor. Various stopping points along this route allow for exploration of the wildlife and landscapes found in the area. The visitor then moves on to find an introduction to Clonmacnoise. Interpretive displays give context and background to the monastic site and leaves the visitor excited to explore more for themselves upon arrival at the visitor centre. A projection gallery with a central control unit allows visitors to interact with personal stories of Shannonbridge.

Retail / gift shop

Reception / entrance lobby with seating, gathering space and suspended art installation

Gallery 1 - Orientation point / physical and digital interactives exploring the industrial heritage of Shannonbridge

Central circulation stair

Secondary entrance for staff and education rooms

Lift to first floor

Staff offices with kitchen facilities

Flexible education room

Gallery 2 - Visitors make their way along a projected Shannon River. The various wildlife and important landscapes are highlighted throughout.

Gallery 3 - Interpretive displays give an introduction to the Clonmacnoise site

Gallery 4 - Curved projection wall with central control unit allows visitors to explore past stories of Shannonbridge and be part of its sustainable future

EXPERIENCE WITH A VISITOR FACILITY AT SHANNONBRIDGE

The open space on the ground floor encourages visitors to explore the space at their own pace before making their way to the first floor where a more prescribed route is created. As well as the public facing entrance and galleries, the ground floor contains a secondary entrance to the staff offices and flexible education rooms.

Upon reaching the first floor, visitors can use the touchscreens either side of the central stair to control projections on the walls while overlooking the ground floor. A projection of the Shannon River guides the visitor on the first part of their journey, while educating them on the wildlife and history of the area. Block shapes that reflect forms found at Clonmacnoise hold interpretation about the monastic site. A curved projection room allows the visitor to feel immersed in the stories of Shannonbridge’s past and future.

Retail / gift shop

Reception / entrance lobby with seating, gathering space and suspended art installation

Gallery 1 - Orientation point / physical and digital interactives exploring the industrial heritage of Shannonbridge

circulation stair

Secondary entrance for staff and education rooms

floor

offices with kitchen facilities

Flexible education room

Gallery 2 - Visitors make their way along a projected Shannon River. The various wildlife and important landscapes are highlighted throughout.

Gallery 3 - Interpretive displays give an introduction to the Clonmacnoise site

Gallery 4 - Curved projection wall with central control unit allows visitors to explore past stories of Shannonbridge and be part of its sustainable future

Central

Lift to first

Staff

Ground Floor Isometric

First Floor Isometric

An open and welcoming reception area with desk, retail space and interpretation

2 about the industrial heritage of Shannonbridge. A suspended art installation and wide staircase give the space a grand and dramatic feel and invites the visitor to explore.

3: ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH A VISITOR FACILITY AT SHANNONBRIDGE

A central interactive unit allows visitors to select a Shannonbridge story that will then

be projected around them on the curved walls, creating an immersive experience.

5. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS CASE APPRAISAL AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Options Appraisal and Recommendation

As part of the wider project, a Preliminary Business Case was prepared, which assesses each of the project options in accordance with the provisions of and principles within the Public Spending Code.

Options Appraisal

The economic appraisal compares

a. the economic costs of progressing with each of the options with

b. the wider benefits each would generate in the wider local and regional economy.

In the context of visitor attractions such as Clonmacnoise and a proposal to enhance the visitor facilities and experience there, the economic costs are therefore taken to be those related to the investment itself, as well as the costs of visitor service provision within the enhanced facilities over a 25year period thereafter. Economic benefits relate to the wider expenditure of visitors to Clonmacnoise in the local and regional economy over the same time period.

Estimates for both costs and benefits are in turn underpinned by a series of assumptions. On the cost side, key assumptions are made regarding both the upfront capital costs that each project option would incur (based on professional cost estimates) and the future operating and maintenance costs that would be attributable to each option, e.g. pay, other staff costs, services, supplies (based on historic operating cost estimates for Clonmacnoise). As both the capital and recurrent costs are assumed to be funded by the Exchequer, they are also adjusted to reflect the shadow price of public funds.

In estimating benefits, the appraisal makes assumptions about baseline visitor numbers but also moderate/managed visitor growth, which reflects the key strategic priority to safeguard the preservation of the site while optimising the visitor’s experience. Direct economic benefits are calculated based on assumptions regarding the wider local expenditure and economic impact of visitors to the region primarily attracted by interest in the monument.

In addition to an economic impact, the options are considered in respect of other objectives, including the quality of the experience of visitors to the

monument, the ability to manage visitor flows, the potential carbon and other environment impacts of alternative options, the ability to maximise positive social and community impacts and benefits, and the scope to minimise site closure periods and disruption.

On the basis of the assumptions and analysis, Option 1 – the enhancement of the visitor facilities on site – is determined to be the preferred option. The primary reasons are:

• it is assumed to generate a positive costbenefit ratio (i.e. its economic benefits exceed its economic costs), which other options fail to achieve;

• it will likely have the least significant carbon and environmental impact;

• it will (most likely) be possible to complete in the shortest period and give rise to the least level of disruption.

Three critical factors which have informed and affected this analysis have also been:

• the introduction of a public bus service, which very recently (September 2023) commenced service between Clonmacnoise and Shannonbridge village as part of a route extending from Athlone to Roscrea, and which would in turn impact on the need/demand for any park and ride facility;

• the likely attractiveness/suitability of the Dalton Site in Shannonbridge as either a park and ride terminus or the location for an additional Clonmacnoise visitor centre. While superior to the two other site candidates considered, the Dalton Centre nonetheless still faces fundamental weaknesses as a suitable location for a visitor centre, including its distance from the main village, its distance from and lack of direct access to the River Shannon, its relationship and direct adjacency to a decommissioned electricity generation station, and the modern industrial setting and character this gives the setting, which arguably conflicts with the historic, spiritual and natural themes and ambience associated with Clonmacnoise; and

• while the incremental benefits and costs anticipated for the Dalton Centre site options are higher than the proposed site development at Clonmacnoise, the benefit cost ratio is lower as the additional costs exceed the additional benefits.

While Option 1 is therefore deemed the preferred option in the current context, progressing with it also leaves open the possibility of returning at a later date to the options of new transport links and potential further complementary visitor facilities at Shannonbridge (when demand more clearly demonstrates a need or when better site options emerge), and in this sense Option 1 could be interpreted as a judicious and prudent phased approach to a more ambitious long-term plan.

Recommendation

Both the economic appraisal and the multi-criteria analysis indicate that Option 1 – the enhancement of visitor facilities at Clonmacnoise – is the superior option and approval to proceed to the next phase of its implementation is recommended.

The above recommendation is, as stated previously, made under the clear assumption that the next project stage is that of detailed design and requisite approvals. The development of the site would only proceed following:

• Detailed evaluation by the OPW and in-line with OPW PMP procedures

• The consent of the National Monuments Service and the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage

• Fulfilment (where applicable) of Offaly County Council statutory planning requirements

6. MAXIMISING LOCAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND BENEFITS

The enhancement and continued public access to and enjoyment of the facilities and experience at Clonmacnoise stand to generate a range of positive benefits and effects for the local community. As the project is further planned, procured, delivered, and operated thereafter, the promoters can work with local community groups and public and private stakeholders to ensure such benefits are maximised, and in ways which mutually support other local development projects and initiatives.

Economic Impacts

The primary economic benefits will relate to the additional expenditure of visitors to the monument in the local area, and the employment and incomes this supports. Such expenditure will be maximised through promoting longer dwell times in the locality, heightened awareness of other attractions, activities and points of interest, mutual marketing and promotion campaigns, information sharing, and through complementary product and service offerings and promotions. Positive “spillover” effects can be expected to further stimulate enterprise and new employment opportunities when at critical scale.

There may also be economic benefits during the development phase, where the development project itself gives rise to increased demand for local products and services during construction/ development.

Other longer-term economic benefits can be generated where the monument serves to further underpin and strengthen a local identity and sense of place, attracting new residents or retaining existing ones, and supporting the desirability of the location as a place to live, work, generate employment and invest.

Social and Community Impacts

Clonmacnoise, operated by the OPW on behalf of the DHLGH and other landowners, is one of Ireland’s most significant and internationally recognised monastic sites. Therefore, presentation of the site and its positioning within the region in line with current practices in world class visitor attractions is vital to building public awareness and appreciation of Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise is by far one of the largest visitor attractions in the Hidden Heartlands region, and currently can attract over 140,000 visitor per annum. Sites like this act as attractors for visitors to a region and improve the overall appeal of a destination as a place to visit.

Investment in the tourism offering at the monastic site at Clonmacnoise is required as the current visitor experience is outdated, no longer facilitates the needs of the visitors and risks future reputational decline of the site. Visitor numbers at the site have been in decline over recent years due to site capacity issues, and as Clonmacnoise attracts the largest visitor numbers in the area, any reduction in the offering would negatively impact the economy in the region and would be at odds with the objectives of current government and EU economic stimulus packages (such as the EU Just Transition Fund).

An investment to enhance the visitor experience and address pinch points at Clonmacnoise will have a positive impact on the local economy, specifically the Athlone – Shannonbridge region. The close proximity of Clonmacnoise to Shannonbridge makes the village the nearest potential recipient of the economic benefits of Clonmacnoise’s visitor numbers and provides significant opportunities to support the enhancement and appeal of Shannonbridge, allowing the area to capitalise on its proximity to the site. The proposed design includes an orientation space for the region within the upgraded building, a tourism information point promoting other sites and experiences within the destination.

The on-site improvement at the Clonmacnoise monastic site must be seen in tandem with the economic, social and environmental opportunities offered to Shannonbridge and its environs by the Just Transition Fund and in particular by the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking

Scheme being administered by Fáilte Ireland. Through this scheme, there are opportunities for public, private and community entities to deliver projects which will improve Shannonbridge as a place to live, work and visit. The ambition for Shannonbridge in this regard is contained in two forthcoming plans for the town and its environs: the Shannonbridge Destination Development Plan and the Shannonbridge Masterplan. The proposed developments at Clonmacnoise should, therefore, be viewed in the context of the wider opportunity for Shannonbridge that could be realised through the Just Transition Fund.

Implementation of the current draft plans for Shannonbridge once agreed, will ensure that the village can benefit as expected from any tourism offering upgrade at Clonmacnoise. These plans examine the tourism potential of Shannonbridge’s location as an important waterfront hub on the River Shannon and a focal point in a growing network of long distance walking and cycling routes in the Midlands of Ireland. Improvements to Shannonbridge will attract growth in local businesses and services, improving the local environment for all, and will facilitate mutual advantage for the visitor experiences at Clonmacnoise and Shannonbridge. This presents opportunity for diversification, supporting the former peat communities in their attempts to generate alternative means of employment by investing in the diversification of their local economies.

The community is committed to developing a regenerative type of tourism which will address a range of wellbeings, including; -

• Cultural Wellbeing - the promotion of local values and culture - art, music making, storytelling, traditions

• Social Wellbeing - the well-being of communities, enhancing their quality of life

• Economic Wellbeing - the prosperity of the region with a focus on equitable development and sustainable livelihoods

• Environmental Wellbeing- the health of the environment and restoring the integrity of its ecosystems

• Market Wellbeing - the enrichment of visitors through the provision of transformative experiences

Efforts are underway to position, develop, profile and promote Shannonbridge as a destination gateway to Clonmacnoise - a place which not only helps to welcome and orientate visitors to the monastic site but, most importantly, provides them with opportunities to spend time in the village before and after their visit through the provision of a range of services from information and advice, to parking and bike hire, to food and beverage, as well as highlighting things to do, activities and events to enjoy, places to see, and, for those on a longer trip, accommodation in which to stay.

*Initial QS estimates have been calculated. They exclude: optimism bias, contingency and future inflation. They have not been included here as they are deemed commercially sensitive.

APPENDIX C: METHODOLOGY FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

During Stage 1, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd (ACSU) will prepare an appraisal of archaeological and cultural heritage data for the receiving environments within and surrounding the proposed development areas included in Options 1–3, and any other as deemed necessary. This will contribute to an assessment of the design options and ultimately the impact any proposed development might have. Impacts can be positive and negative, short-term and long-term and are generally categorised as either direct, indirect or cumulative. To identify such constraints and opportunities, ACSU will undertake desk-based research and a field inspection.

All work will be conducted in adherence with the 2006 Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland’s (IAI) Code of Professional Conduct.

Desk-based Assessment

A desk-based assessment will comprise a literature (primary and secondary sources), cartographic and photographic review, including but not limited to consultation of the following records and resources:

• Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and Register of Historic Monuments (RHM).

• National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), Record of Protected Structures (RPS) and Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA).

• Relevant County Development Plans and Heritage Plans will be consulted (e.g., Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027; Offaly Heritage Plan 2017–2022; Draft Offaly Heritage Plan 2023–2027; Roscommon County Development Plan 2022–2028; Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027, etc.).

• Existing historical and archaeological studies of the areas (e.g., Clonmacnoise Studies Volumes 1 and 2, Draft Nomination of The Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape for inclusion in the World Heritage List, including Draft Management Plan 2009–2014, etc.).

• GeoHive for Ordnance Survey spatial data, e.g., soils, geology, historic features, etc.

• Historic mapping to identify areas of archaeological and built heritage potential.

• Relevant aerial and historic photograph collections.

• Any previous LiDAR and geophysical surveys, both archaeological and geotechnical.

• The Topographical Files and any other relevant records (e.g., NMI Finds Database 2010) held by the National Museum of Ireland (and any other museum as required).

• The collection of the Irish Architectural Archive.

• Folklore sources, including The Schools Collection.

• Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

• Placenames database and other relevant sources.

A baseline inventory (tabulated and mapped) of all known and potential archaeological and built heritage sites within the study area will be prepared, including the present legal status (e.g., recorded national monument, protected by preservation order, de-listed site, newly identified site, etc.). Alongside this, analysis of the topography and changes to the landscape through mapping and aerial photography can help determine the potential for additional heritage assets. A thorough assessment of all previous investigations in the area will also determine the potential for buried archaeological remains and estimated depths below the present ground level at which such remains may survive.

Site Inspection

In conjunction with the desktop review, a site inspection and photographic record will be carried out to verify the extent and condition of recorded archaeological and built heritage sites, and identify any potential new sites or features previously unrecorded. This site visit will also check the accuracy of the existing documentary record and explore the potential significance of any new features identified through the desk-based research. The aim of the field survey is threefold:

• To examine known sites within the study area;

• To determine the existence of previously unknown/designated sites and areas of heritage potential, and

• To highlight any structures/monuments not previously recognised.

• All previous archaeological excavations and investigations (monitoring, underwater surveys, geophysical surveys, etc) carried out in the vicinity as recorded by the Database of Irish Excavation Reports (1970 to present) and in-house grey literature reports on work undertaken by Donald Murphy.

ACSU pro forma record sheets and a photograph register will be maintained during the site inspection.

In addition, ACSU also has the resources to conduct a UAV (drone) survey of the study area, to provide both low- and high-level aerial photographs and video of the setting and individual heritage features as appropriate.

Tools to be used for the field inspection will include as appropriate, ranging rods, digital cameras, drone (Phantom 3Pro) and Trimble Geo7x GPS unit with 1cm accuracy.

Assessing Constraints and Opportunities

The baseline survey of existing archaeological and built heritage compiled from the desk-based assessment and site inspection will be used to assess any cultural heritage constraints on each of the development options, such as statutory requirements including planning requirements, as well as physical constraints. Recommendations with regards to minimising or reducing adverse effects and mitigating against such constraints will also be made in consultation with the team.

The appraisal shall also highlight opportunities for enhancing and protecting the cultural heritage of the area and new ways of connecting visitors with the archaeological and built heritage environment.

Report

The report will be presented in a logical structure using comprehensive, concise, and impartial text, supported by high quality illustrations and tables. A draft report shall be subject to internal QA review before submission to the Client for comment.

ACSU QA is undertaken by Dr Kerri Cleary. She has an NFQ Level 10 in Archaeology from University College Cork since 2007 and specialises in research, editing and report QA. Following client review, any changes as required will be incorporated before final submission.

The Cultural Heritage Dataset (CHD) generated from the above methodology can also be supplied to the client as an Excel spreadsheet or any other format as required. All mapping/geospatial data (in ITM format) will be produced digitally using appropriate software such as AutoCAD and/or GIS as appropriate to the Client. This will be completed by our in-house graphics expert, Chiara Mazzanti. Chiara has worked as an archaeological surveyor, CAD and GIS technician since 2007 and she holds

the equivalent of an NFQ Level 9 in Archaeology from the University of Bologna.

Personnel and Resources

ACSU have all the required resources and experienced staff available in-house to start work on this project immediately upon appointment.

Donald Murphy of ACSU began working in Clonmacnoise in 1992, when he was an archaeological supervisor for the research excavations directed by Heather King in the new graveyard. He subsequently went on to direct his own excavations in 1999–2000 in advance of the development of the tourist office, also commissioning an associated geophysical survey. This work revealed important evidence for a large ditch, likely representing an outer enclosing element of the early monastic complex. Since then, he has also undertaken a variety of investigations in the area on behalf of the OPW and the National Monuments Service. Such experience of the Clonmacnoise landscape will be pivotal in providing a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the area and advice with regards to archaeological content for enhancing the exhibition space and any other input as required.

Task List

The following task list includes an estimate of the number of days that each task will require.

APPENDIX D: VISITOR NUMBERS & CARRYING CAPACITY

Visitor Numbers

As might be expected, the visitor numbers chart below shows that the 13 weeks between 1st June and end of August are peak period for visitors to Clonmacnoise, with an average of 52% of total annual visitor numbers arriving in this period. The week of mid-August is the highest single week for visitor numbers.

In both individual consultations and working group meetings the issue of visitor numbers was discussed and while the Fáilte Ireland perspective of looking at a 25-30% increase over a 5-year period following investment was mentioned, this was not necessarily deemed an appropriate model for Clonmacnoise. Fáilte Ireland and OPW both stressed the importance of showcasing the site and stated that improving the quality of the visitor experience should have priority over increasing numbers, particularly given the sensitive nature of the site. However, it was agreed there is spare capacity if the season could be extended. Additional numbers could be accommodated during the ‘off’ and ‘shoulder’ seasons and ideally visitors would spend longer exploring the area.

Clonmacnoise is located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (IHH), one of Fáilte Ireland’s regional experience brands, while the majority of visitors are domestic, overseas visitors do generate substantial revenue. The proposals in this study are aligned with Fáilte Ireland’s Strategic Objectives for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

Visitor Numbers: 2017 to 2021 Analysis Year

Total visitor Nos.

High Season, 13 wks 1 June-end August 92,014 total visitors

Average per week 7,078

i.e. 54% of total for the year

Highest week w/e 13 August: 8,992 visitors

High Season, 13 wks 1 June-end August

Average per week 6,050 i.e. 541 of total for the year

Highest week w/e 12 August: 7,967 visitors

Total visitor Nos.

High Season, 13 wks 1 June-end August 72,237 total visitors

Average per week 5,557

i.e. 51% of total for the year

Highest week w/e 18 August: 7,390 visitors

In the Covid-19 affected years of 2020 and 2021, visitor numbers stood at 16,000 and 43,000 respectively, before they recovered to about 95,000 in 2022.

Total visitor Nos.

16,283, Covid: Site closed, 12 weeks between w/e 22 March - 7 June

High Season, 13 wks 1 June-end August 7,411 total visitors

Average per week 618 i.e. 46% of total for the year

Highest week w/e 2 August: 1,728 visitors

Total visitor Nos.

High Season, 13 wks 1 June-end August 25,218

Average per week 1,940

i.e. 58% of total for the year

Highest week w/e 2 August: 1,728 visitors

APPENDIX D: VISITOR NUMBERS & CARRYING CAPACITY

Carrying Capacity

The concept of carrying capacity addresses the question of how many people can be permitted into an area without risk of degrading the site and the visitors’ experience of it. However, there is no magic number and current models of visitor management involve setting goals and objectives, formulating indicators and monitoring results. There is no single way of capturing the carrying capacity and no one-size-fits-all approach to assessing carrying capacity of tourist destinations. Earlier methodologies for understanding the carrying capacity of tourism destinations focused solely on the basis of the physical component. However subsequent studies were founded on, or included, the social component i.e. the attitude of local communities towards excessive visitor numbers and negative impacts of tourism development on their lives. This led to the agreement that upper or maximum limit of visitation is not just a number, but also must include and understand the perception of the local population and their attitude towards tourism.

The newer carrying capacity models focus on the acceptable limits of changes caused by tourism in a certain area, rather than on upper limits to visitor numbers. Those models can be divided into those that focus on objective diagnostics using hard data, and those that focus on subjective perceptions about tourism development in a selected area. In this respect, greater importance is given to participatory cooperation with local communities and other tourism development stakeholders.

More recently carrying capacity models and the search for acceptable limits have aligned with sustainable tourism development discourse. Sustainable tourism promotes the creation of environmentally conscious and sustainable models of tourism development and encourages the development of new and complex carrying capacity models. These models are comprehensive and include various components such as: physical, which can be environmental (nature or cultural heritage site) or infrastructural (infrastructure that can support tourism development); social, from the perspective of tourists and locals; political; participatory; cultural (preservation of intangible cultural heritage), etc.

Overview of tourism capacity models:

Carrying capacity literature tackles the different aspects of carrying capacity limits in a specific geographic area or at critical points. Those different aspects involve:

• tourist or visitor perception, which deals with final users’ perception in a certain geographical area or at a critical point. This is a subjective perception that includes the feeling of too many people present in a certain space or a feeling of discomfort due to overcrowding.

• perspective of the local population, which deals with local perceptions about the tourism development and its impact on their quality of life;

• political aspect, which deals with political support for tourism growth and development;

• culture and heritage aspect, which explores the impact of tourism development on culture and heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage;

• participatory aspect, which deals with the inclusion of local communities, the public and/ or other interested stakeholders in tourism development process;

• economic aspects, which provides an economic perspective on tourism development, mainly focused on growth and its acceptable limits;

• infrastructural aspects, which is connected to issues of infrastructural support and development that can facilitate growth in a certain area;

• natural aspects, which discusses the issues of environmental protection and the carrying capacity limits of the natural environment.

As stated above there is no easy magic number, or formula and current models of visitor management involve setting goals and objectives, formulating indicators and monitoring results. New methodologies are based on the idea of limits to acceptable change, they assume that all activities cause impacts and that desired conditions should serve as the baseline for planning.

The methodology known as Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) sets standards and monitoring indicators based on management and stakeholder concerns. When the quantifiable standards are not met, impacts have become so negative that the management is prepared to take actions such as reducing access and restricting behaviours to

avoid further degradation of resources, even if such actions would be unpopular. The idea is that environmental and social conditions water and air pollution, litter, crowding and so on each have quantifiable standards based on desired conditions. When conditions approach “limits of acceptable change”, management takes specific mitigating actions. LAC programmes may set numeric visitor limits, for example 100 people at a cultural site at any one time, but the overall process provides a much more comprehensive and effective system for protecting resources. The challenge is to define how much and what kind of change is “acceptable” and set indicator limits or standards for any changes that would degrade the conditions agreed upon.

While the LAC methodology was the first of the new visitor management methodologies, all the newer planning methodologies such as the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Process (VERP) are applicable to both natural and cultural sites and follow certain basic steps:

• Determination of goals and objectives derived from the concerns of management and stakeholders and how to achieve them.

• Formulation of a set of performance indicators based on the goals and objectives.

• Monitoring to determine whether these standards are being met.

• Deciding on actions to mitigate problems if the standards are not met.

An inventory of existing conditions provides the baseline data needed for indicators and determines the degree to which existing conditions vary from desired conditions. Information on current conditions is the baseline for establishing realistic standards, a step needed for all the LACtype methodologies, it provides the information needed for a monitoring manual. This involves the development of standardised monitoring surveys and evaluation forms, along with instructions for making decisions on implementing actions to correct unacceptable conditions. The most difficult aspect of monitoring is ensuring that it is carried out on a regular basis, however, it is effective only if it is done regularly.

Monitoring Indicators: Some Examples

• Abrasion of monuments

• Status of vegetation

• Number of human encounters while travelling per day, by number of groups and their sizes

• Signs of pollution from humans, litter, food in streams

• Tourists’ complaints about conditions

• Number of disturbances to an archaeological site

• Erosion

• Disturbance of wildlife populations

• Graffiti or vandalism

• Complaints from community members on deteriorating community values

• Increase in the number of crime reports

Data on numbers of visitors and their preferences make up the best justification for actions restraining the number of people permitted to enter an area. Visitor surveys demonstrate the negative effects of crowding and the desire for solitude at an archaeological or sacred site. Most socio-economic information, such as crowding and community attitudes, is obtained through questionnaires or interviews.

Options for dispersing or concentrating people to reduce use in a particular area can include:

• restricting the number of people who can enter;

• limiting the permissible length of stay;

• raising the entrance fee;

• not providing facilities;

• directing tourists to more resilient areas through zoning, visitor education and offering more facilities or fewer facilities;

• charging different entrance fees on certain days of the week; and

• using a promotion and interpretation campaign to influence the use of one area over another.

Sources:

ESPON, Carrying capacity methodology for tourism https://www.espon.eu/tourism

Mihalic, T, Conceptualising Over-tourism: A Sustainability Approach, 2020 Annals of Tourism Re-search 84

Shelby, B. and Heberlein, T, Carrying Capacity in Recreation Settings, 1986, Oregon State University Press

APPENDIX E: BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES

Browne, L, Associates, A Feasibility Study on the Development of a Major Cycling Destination in the Midlands of Ireland, Bord na Móna, Coillte & Offaly County Council

Browne, L, Associates, Shannonbridge: Destination Development Plan: Draft WIP, Shannonbridge Action Group

Dept of Environment, Climate and Communications, Just Transition Reports, 2020-2021

Dept of Rural and Community Development, Action Plan for Rural Development

Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Tourism Action Plan 2019-2021 Sustainable Tourism Working Group Report

Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Sustainable Tourism Working Group Actions to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices 2021-2023

Dept of Transport, Tourism and Sport, People, Place and Policy, Growing Tourism to 2025

Domegan, Prof C; McKenna, J; Brychkov, Dr D; Peatlands and People Ireland’s Climate Action Catalyst; www.peatlandsandpeople.ie

Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023 – 2027, which is informed by:

• The Government’s Tourism Strategy People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025,

• Fáilte Ireland’s Corporate Strategy 2021–2023

• the report of the Sustainable Tourism Working Group Actions to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices 2021–2023.

• The National Planning Framework, the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies

• and lower tier plans

Fáilte Ireland Concept Deep Dive Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre Concept 189, Innovation Screener Research 2022

Fáilte Ireland, Domestic Travel Behaviour, Consumer Update October 2022

Fáilte Ireland, Fáilte Focus website pages & Consumer Sentiment Reports, 2022 & 2023

Fáilte Ireland, Travel Motivations Framework

Fáilte Ireland, Sustainable Tourism in Ireland Understanding the Opportunity

Feehan, John, The Landscape of Clonmacnoise, 2014, Offaly County Council

Manning, Clonleth, Clonmacnoise, 1998, OPW

Mytum, Harold, Early Medieval Settlement in Western Britain and Ireland, Cultural Unity and Diversity, 1996, Ruralia 1, p.124-133

O’Dea, M, Report on a Visual Inspection at Temple Conor, Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly, OPW

Offaly County Council, Geological Site Report Clonmacnoise Esker

Offaly County Council, Record of Protected Structures Adopted September 2021

OPW, Clonmacnoise World Heritage Site Draft

Nomination Form – The Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape Candidate World Heritage Site;

OPW, World Heritage Site Draft Management Plan 2009 - 2014

Tubridy, Mary (Ed), The Heritage of Clonmancnoise, 1987, Trinity College/Co. Offaly VEC

Waterways Ireland, The Shannon Tourism Masterplan, 2021

Protection of Archaeological Heritage - Framework and Principles for the Protection of Archaeological Heritage (1999)

DoHLGH, Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage 2019