Irish Heritage Trust Properties – Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens and Strokestown Park & the National Famine Museum – Win at the Annual CIE Tourism Excellence Awards
Irish Heritage Trust properties, Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens in Wexford, and Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum in Roscommon have each received an award at the 34th Annual CIE Tours Awards of Excellence. The awards, which are based on feedback from CIE Tours International customers throughout the year, were presented at a ceremony hosted last night (February 3rd) at Trinity College Dublin.
The annual awards scheme acknowledges tourist attractions which achieve a customer satisfaction rating of 92%+ for an exceptional quality experience and welcome to visitors. The winners are chosen from an independent evaluation of feedback surveys completed by over 450 CIE Tours International customers.
Receiving the CIE Tours International Award of Excellence for the second year in a row, Matt Wheeler, General Manager at the Irish Heritage Trust, which manages the Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens visitor attraction on a site owned by Teagasc, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised once again with a CIE Excellence Award for Johnstown Castle. This honour reflects the passion, dedication, and care of the entire team at the Irish Heritage Trust and Johnstown Castle, who strive every day to create exceptional visitor experiences. To receive this award based on visitor feedback makes it especially meaningful, and we are truly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their experience with us.”
For Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum in Roscommon, General Manager John O’Driscoll accepted the award, saying: “We are delighted to receive this recognition and esteemed award for the first time since our award-winning Museum reopened in 2022. It is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the Strokestown Park team, who strive every day to honour the history of the Great Irish Famine while creating a welcoming and inspiring environment for visitors. Being acknowledged by those who have toured our premium experience makes this achievement all the more special.”
Johnstown Castle has become a leading visitor attraction in Ireland’s Ancient East, having opened to the public in 2019 following a major conservation and development project. In 2025, over
63,000 people visited Johnstown Castle, with 26%+ of visitors coming from overseas. In addition to tourists from across Ireland, visitors included local members, supporters of the vibrant events calendar, and day visitors exploring the stunning castle, picturesque gardens, and the rich rural heritage of the Irish Agricultural Museum.
Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum in Roscommon are also managed by the Irish Heritage Trust. The National Famine Museum tells the powerful story of the Great Irish Famine. The park includes a grand Palladian house, which offers a guided tour experience and is surrounded by expansive gardens for visitors to meander. The museum uses personal stories, documents, and interactive exhibits to help visitors understand the human impact of this tragic period in Irish history, making Strokestown Park both a place of beauty and deep historical significance.
CIE Tours, which celebrates 94 years in business, is the largest operator of guided tours to Ireland in the North American market. Launched in 1990, the Awards recognise Ireland’s hospitality ambassadors – the people and businesses throughout the country who put Irish tourism on the global stage through the warmth of welcome and quality of service provided to our international visitors.
Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens and Strokestown Park – The National Famine Museum are open seven days per week, year-round. Daily tickets can be purchased in advance, and the Irish Heritage Trust membership scheme provides access to all its sites in Cork, Roscommon and Wexford. For further details, see https://irishheritagetrust.ie/