County Clare’s Cliffs of Moher have been voted as Ireland’s top choice when showcasing Ireland’s gems to overseas visitors.

Almost all of those surveyed as part of the fifth National Heritage survey, 99%, rated Ireland’s heritage as very important to the tourism industry and 46% believe there should be stricter laws governing the protection of heritage sites.

Up to 98% think the Irish Government needs to continue to provide tax incentives to heritage property owners regarding the maintenance and upkeep of their heritage property.

Newgrange, the Neolithic tomb, in the Boyne Valley, in County Meath is the Irish people’s favorite heritage site.

The dramatic Giant’s Causeway, 40,000 interlocking basalt columns in County Antrim, was voted the top place to take a date. And you can see why…

And, although locals do love the Cliffs of Moher, they also admitted that it is the heritage site they fear the most.

According to the survey a third of Irish people visit heritage sites three to four times per year, 24% visit between five and nine times a year, and 22% visit more than ten times a year, a 5% increase from the 2013 National Heritage Survey.

David Lane, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Ireland said, "The findings of the fifth annual heritage survey are incredibly telling. It’s fantastic to see the increase in visitation to heritage sites and how highly important these are regarded by Irish people.

"It’s great that the nation are continuing to take enormous pride in our heritage sites and landmarks and enjoying showing these off to overseas visitors. Our heritage sites are vital to the tourism industry in Ireland but also in defining where we have come from and the rich legacy we hold in Ireland.

"The research highlights the need for heritage property owners to continue to protect the sites to ensure these remain prominent in the lives of Irish people."