Johnstown Castle management hits back at bikers’ fee complaints

MANAGEMENT AT Johnstown Castle have responded to complaints by Honda Goldwing bikers who were charged an admission fee to the gardens during their recent visit to the town.

A contingent of 500 bikers from all over Ireland and Europe spent a weekend in Wexford and staged a number of spectacular parades for the public.

After they departed, a spokesperson complained that members of the group were surprised to be charged €2 each to enter the historic castle gardens.

The Goldwing bikers’ annoyance was shared by Mayor of Wexford Cllr. George Lawlor, who said they should have received free admission. However, Matt Wheeler, manager/curator of the Irish Agricultural Museum in Johnstown, said this week that management were ‘disappointed’ to read about the bikers’ complaints.

Mr. Wheeler said there is a reduced rate of €2 per person for all groups wishing to prebook a visit to the gardens and the Goldwing group were informed of this many weeks in advance. ‘We simply would not have been able to provide free admission as the group’s visit necessitated extra staffing costs,’ said Mr. Wheeler.

The curator stressed that the museum is a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with Teagasc to provide visitor services at Johnstown Castle.

He said a ‘ keenly costed entrance free’ for the gardens (or a joint ticket for the gardens and museum) is charged in order to maintain the estate.

A total of 51,000 people visited Johnstown Castle last year.

Mr. Wheeler noted that the Honda organiser said last year’s rally gave an economic tourism boost to County Leitrim.

‘If the bikers do not pay (or expect to pay) for any services when they arrive in an area then there’s no economic boost?’ he asked.