One Irish museum has been named as a finalist in world tourism awards

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The Irish Museum of Time in Waterford has been selected as the only Irish finalist for the esteemed British Guild of Travel Writers International Tourism Awards 2022. Based in Greyfriars Street in a refurbished gothic-style church, the museum features the oldest Irish-made grandfather clocks, table clocks and watches, while celebrating the craftsmen who made them. Its collection also features timepieces from around the world, with some dating back to the mid-16th century. Only members of the British Guild of Travel Writers can nominate and vote for tourism attractions and destinations for the annual awards. The Irish Museum of Time, which is part of the Waterford Treasures suite, earned its nomination after being selected by the award-winning global travel writer and guild member Isabel Conway following her visit to the attraction earlier this summer. Since that initial nomination, the museum has undergone a rigorous judging process by the British Guild of Travel Writers and has now made it to the finalist selection. It is one of just six attractions or projects in the running for the best tourism project in UK and Ireland award 2022. "Being shortlisted for these awards a couple of months ago was to us a really wonderful achievement but to now be listed in the top 6 visitor attractions in the UK and Ireland is a real feat and we are overjoyed," Waterford Treasures Director Eamonn McEneaney said. "The entire team at Waterford Treasures work tirelessly to ensure that the very best visitor experience is delivered to all of our guests day in and day out; therefore this finalist position is really a testament to that hard work and such a wonderful reward for us all.” Meanwhile, Conway said: "This is a real testament to the wonderful visitor attraction that is The Irish Museum of Time. "This category in the 2022 awards was the most hotly contested category with by far the most nominations, I am truly delighted for the team at the museum to reach the final, it is a huge achievement in itself." The Irish Museum of Time is listed as a finalist alongside the Holocaust Galleries, Imperial War Museum London; First Light Festival and East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft; Hermaness Hill Path and Welcome Area, Shetland Islands; Private Women-Led: Ethiopian Flavours in Shepherd’s Bush with Coffee Ceremony, London; and The Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna Green. The next stage of the awards process is a private guild member voting opportunity to choose each winner in the three categories - UK and Ireland, Europe and Wider World. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 6 November.