The ongoing development of Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park was referenced at this week’s launch of Failte Ireland’s new Destination and Experience Plan (DEDP) which took place at the Arigna Mining Experience.
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 Cavan County Council, Leitrim County Council, Roscommon County Council, Waterways Ireland, the three County Local Development Companies, local tourism businesses, and local communities.
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.
This includes positioning the Beara Breifne Way as an internationally recognised way-marked walking trail, leveraging key destination assets such as the River Shannon and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Geopark, and maximising opportunities presented by the National Famine Museum and the National Famine Way to connect businesses and communities with the diaspora market.
It will build on a number of existing destination development projects that are bringing local experiences to life, including the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre, and ongoing work at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park.
Speaking at the launch, Fáilte Ireland CEO, Paul Kelly said:
“This five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan is an exciting development framework that captures the distinctive themes of the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Border area, and outlines key initiatives which will help unlock the tourism potential of this region.
It will build on a number of significant capital investment projects supported by Fáilte Ireland in the area, including The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre, and ongoing work at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park. It also identifies new investment opportunities around the Shannon, Shannon-Erne Waterway, and the Beara Breifne Way, as well in the forest parks, lakelands and heritage and cultural gems that make this region so unique. This will collectively help strengthen this area’s position as an internationally compelling destination within Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
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, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities.”
