58% of people surveyed think Kylemore Abbey should be given official heritage status

As National Heritage Week gets underway, a survey has found that 58 percent of people think Kylemore Abbey should be given official heritage status.

It would mean the site would have cultural, historical or scientific value officially attached to its name.

The popular Galway tourist attraction was included in the study which aimed to explore the importance of built heritage in Ireland.

The iReach study of over 1,000 respondents found that baby boomers especially appreciate the value of Kylemore Abbey, with 67 percent deeming it worthy of preservation.