Widespread anger at Johnstown Castle’s new pricing structure
TEMPERS HAVE flared over new pricing structures for Johnstown Castle when it reopens after a significant €7.5 million restoration project next year.
While day pass rates are set to increase by a few euro in comparison to the current ‘Garden and Museum’ rate, the increase in annual membership rates is what has drawn the ire of local, regular recreational users of the grounds.
The attraction will be run by the Irish Heritage Trust, an independent charity that works to build financially resilient heritage properties through a combination of strategies.
In a statement, the Trust said: ‘A great deal of time, attention and consideration was given to the new membership structure at Johnstown Estate,’ adding that they planned to host a public information evening for regular visitors in January in order to outline all of the proposed changes and details of the enhanced offering.
They said that they would be unveiling a ‘ brand new, ‘threein-one’ visitor experience’ at the castle which would encompass the castle, the museum and the gardens.
They said: ‘This is a hugely exciting addition for Irish Tourism and is set to be one of Ireland’s foremost tourist attractions.’
However, a social media post by Johnstown Castle outlining the new annual membership rate drew considerable consternation from users of the park, many suggesting that the new rates had priced the locals out of it.
The Irish Heritage Trust is offering a 20% discount on membership before April 1 of next year.
The rates under this discounted offer would be: €37.60 per adult; €64 per two adults; €32 per concession; €12 per child.
After April 1, 2019, the rates rise to: €47 per adult; €80 per two adults; €40 per concession; and €15 per child.
In a further statement to this newspaper, the Irish Heritage Trust confirmed that a family rate would be available at a price of €84 prior to April 1, and €140 after April 1. The family rate allows for two adults and four children under the age of 16.
One big point of lamentation is the removal of the gardens only membership which had been available under the old park management.
One social media comment- er remarked that their yearly membership would go from €50 in 2018 to more than double that in 2019, saying that while they loved the park, the cost increase was too much. Another user described the change as an ‘outrageous price hike’.
Many also referred to the lack of the simple garden pass, pointing out that locals were not inclined to visit the museum on multiple occasions.
Another commenter felt that the price increase was ‘unjustifiable’ and would discourage use of the attraction by those who been its ‘ loyal lifeblood’ during the recession.
The current yearly membership costs, for the gardens only: €15 for one adult; €25 for a couple; and €35 for a family. For the garden and museum yearly pass, the costs are €30, €40 and €50 for an adult, a couple and a family respectively.
The Trust stated that all member support would go back into the property and the gardens in the future to ensure that improvements to the site would continue for years to come.
They said: ‘Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens is a beautiful national treasure which needs significant ongoing work and a substantial amount remains to be done in the com- ing years.’
Membership, they said, included free entry to the gardens and museum, guided tours of the Castle, Servants’ Tunnel, the Irish Agricultural Museum and the Daniel Robertson Ornamental Gardens, along with a new playground, cafe and visitor centre, plus additional pathways around the lower lake.
Members will also be entitled to free entry to events such as those run at Easter and Halloween, discounted pricing for guests of members, and free admission and tour of two other Heritage Trust properties - Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens in Cork, and the National Famine Museum and Strokestown Park in Roscommon.
Single day passes will cost €9 per adult, €7 per concession, €4 per child and €24 for a family rate with children under five free.
Castle tours will cost extra at €4 per adult, €2 per child aged five to 16, €3 per concession and €11 per family of two adults and four children.
The Heritage Trust added: ‘In addition to all of this, those who purchase membership will help to ensure this Castle and Museum survives for future generations.’