DUBLIN.- The total visitor figures to the 4 sites of the National Museum of Ireland for 2011 is 1,096,027 which was not only a 10% increase on 2010 but also the highest figure ever for visits to the Museum. The reasons for this increase were public programming, the exhibitions and galleries but also Free Admission which given the current economic climate, means everyone can visit the museum regardless of income. In addition, the number of tourists visiting Ireland increased by 7% in 2011 which also contributed to the increase in the NMI visitor figures. Commenting on the increase, Dr. Pat Wallace, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have achieved well over 1 million visitors last year. This is our highest figure ever. Each of our 4 sites (3 in Dublin and 1 in Castlebar, Co. Mayo) performed very well in 2011. Cut backs in our budget for 2012 means that it will probably be a long