113. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to support the development of a Dublin Bay heritage centre to enhance tourism, protect maritime heritage and increase year-round visitor numbers in Dublin Bay North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1793/26]

Sentiment score: 0.26

Anocht, ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire regarding a heritage centre for north Dublin bay. This would be a single focal point for cultural heritage and would increase the number of year-round visitors to the area. Huge numbers of people already visit north Dublin. We have two castles there. People do not know that with the Guinness family, Bram Stoker and Daniel O’Connell all connected to the area, there is a huge amount of history there. We have loads of sites. Having a heritage centre would be brilliant for tourism and the economy.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I welcome the fact that the Minister thinks this is a good idea. It would be brilliant for the economy, local tourism and jobs. I will mention a few things that north Dublin has going for it, namely the Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru, the two Norman castles, Lord Charlemont and Casino Marino and Daniel O’Connell and the monster meeting that took place in Clontarf in 1843 from which the Irish revolution and the foundation of the State began. I did not know about the latter until I went and met the men and women behind the great organisation involved to discuss giving them a base and a place that would not only be used in the context of heritage but also in respect of arts and anything that would help the local community. St. Anne’s Park is the former home of the Guinness family. We have the main avenue and the Red Stables there. It would be brilliant to bring the community together. From the city out to Howth Head, the area has an extraordinary concentration of heritage. This is something I was not fully aware of until I was educated by Dennis McIntyre, who I commend on his hard work. A heritage centre would support schools, local groups, researchers and visitors alike.

Sentiment score: 0.32

It is great that the Minister thinks this is a good idea. Think of what would be in place in another country if Bram Stoker had lived there. He lived in the Fairview area. You can still see his house. I know the person who lives in it. They voted for me. Actually, I do not know if they did.

Sentiment score: 0.11

Yes. It is great to see Deputy Ó Muirí’s enthusiasm, but, sadly, you cannot ask a supplementary on a priority question. A heritage centre would act as a home for Bram Stoker's story . It would be a base for tourism and a shared space for the community. It would drive footfall in the area. When I work as a barman, I spoke to Americans who came to the area. When I told them about Bram Stoker and the Battle of Clontarf, they did not know about either because not enough is done to publicise them. If any other country was the birthplace of the person who wrote Dracula and brought it to the world stage, that would be a centre point and it would be used to bring people in. We had the Bram Stoker museum. Sadly, it closed. Those involved with the heritage centre have the memorabilia ready; they just need a site.

Sentiment score: 0.02