Two popular tourist attractions in Co Wicklow - a historic gaol with ties to the 1798 Rebellion and War of Independence and a park with large spiritual sculptures - have closed.
Wicklow Gaol in Wicklow town closed its doors on Friday 26 September.
This was followed by Victor's Way in Roundwood, which is Ireland’s only Indian sculpture park covering 15 acres of forest and containing more than 20 large unique sculptures, and which closed to visitors last Sunday.
Wicklow County Council said in a statement that it hopes to find a new operator for the historic gaol by next summer’s season, and that renovations will take place over the coming months as well as a consultation process to find a new operator to take over.
A spokesperson said the planned improvements will help ensure that Wicklow Gaol continues to serve Wicklow "for many years to come".
The local authority said its vision for the future includes updating the current exhibition at the gaol, with new themed events for seasonal activities as well as maximising the retail, food and drink opportunities.
A spokesperson said initial works will address leaks and essential repairs, along with some external maintenance, adding that the goal will provide a "viable business opportunity" for a new operator.
Exhibitions at Wicklow Gaol cover the history of the 1798 Rebellion, the Famine, the Irish War of Independence and Civil War.
Visitors were given the opportunity to visit the cells, an old classroom and the courtyard, where public executions were carried out.
The gaol also contains written documentation relating to prisoners who spent time there over the years, as well as those who were sent to penal colonies in Australia and elsewhere.
In recent years, a virtual-reality element was added to the offering, which showed a digital interpretation of what Wicklow town was like in the 1700s.
Stephen Delaney, who is the owner of The Shoe Box in Wicklow town and former president of the town's chamber of commerce, said having Wicklow Gaol open has been of "huge benefit" to the town due to the employment it provides, and the money it generates through tourism.
"We really need to keep it open and operating, as if it is not, it has a knock-on effect. It’s going to impact business and footfall," he said.
"It’ll be a huge loss if it has to close until a new operator is found."
Paddy O'Neill, a local cobbler who has a business close to the gaol, said he was sad to hear of the closure due to his family connection to it.
His grandfather, Michael O'Neill, spent three weeks as a prisoner in Wicklow Gaol in the 1800s.
Victor’s Way
Around 30 minutes from Wicklow Gaol is Victor's Way, which is operated by 85-year-old German-born Buddhist monk Victor Langheld.
The inspiration for the park came from Mr Langheld’s time travelling and studying in India, leading to him setting up a place for people to "search for meaning in life", and "realise death is inevitable".
The sculptures vary from Ganesh to Buddha to an 8.5m Druid, also showing written guides from different philosophers.
'Tree baths' are also dotted around the now closed park, where visitors could lie back and take in the countryside air.
Wicklow Tourism Chairperson Pat Ó Súilleabháin said: "Its cultural elements from the other side of the world just seem to fit beautifully into the Wicklow countryside.
"That loss will be very keenly felt, and I don’t think it is something that can be replicated as it was so far from the mainstream."
Mr Langheld said that Victor’s Way was as popular with Indian people as it was with Irish people.
Badrinath Nair, from Bangalore in south India, said when he came to Ireland 18 years ago there were no Hindu temples here.
Once he discovered Victor’s Way, it became a place that he and his family visited many times.
"What inspired me the most was the specific location in south India [Tamil Nadu] from where the sculptures were made, a place I was very familiar with.
"I was very fascinated that such massive rocks were carved out of the mountain, and the local artisans gave it such beautiful form and shape which in my case is very spiritual.
"It touched my heart," he said.
