Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice (Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council), Cllr Seán McGowan, (Leas-Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council), Eileen Gibbons (Electric Bike Trails, Co Leitrim, and co-chair of the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Border DEDP), Paul Kelly (CEO, Fáilte Ireland), and Cllr TP O’Reilly (Cathaoirleach, Cavan County Council) pictured at Tuesday’s launch in Arigna Mining Experience, County Roscommon. Pic: Barry Cronin
Fáilte Ireland has insisted that a major new sustainable tourism plan for the region will have a strong focus on North County Roscommon.
Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly – describing the plan as “an exciting development framework” – said that the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, the National Famine Way and Lough Key Forest and Activity Park are all key to the development of tourism in the region.
Fáilte Ireland says the new five-year plan – which was launched at the Arigna Mining Experience in County Roscommon – will help drive and sustain tourism in Cavan, Leitrim and the northern part of Roscommon.
The Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create and develop a sustainable tourism destination across this part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.
The plan was developed in consultation with key stakeholders including Roscommon County Council.
The five-year plan identifies a range of key initiatives that are designed to raise awareness of the destination, increase the length of stay in the area, expand the range and quality of visitor experiences, strengthen the value of tourism to local communities and protect the quality, character and distinctiveness of the local environment, heritage and culture.
CEO Paul Kelly said: “Fáilte Ireland is committed to and focused on the sustainable development of tourism across the country, which is a vital economic driver and source of employment, particularly in rural areas. The implementation of this plan has the potential to significantly increase the domestic and international appeal of Leitrim, Cavan and North Roscommon”.
