Ground broken on new Knights and Conquests heritage park

Last year tourism agency Fáilte Ireland allocated €640,000 for many hope will develop to be a flagship tourist attraction for the north Co Longford Town.

Ground has been broken with archaeological digging taking place ahead of work beginning on developing the proposed new €3.8m Norman Heritage Park in Granard.

Diggers moved on site yesterday (Wednesday, July 8), with those involved in the project posting online on social media: 'Breaking ground on site today at Granard. Digging Archaeological test pits for the Lake area. Great to have progress #longfordtourism #irelandshiddenheartlands'.

Last year tourism agency Fáilte Ireland allocated €640,000 for many hope will develop to be a flagship tourist attraction for the north Co Longford Town.

The proposed living Norman village will provide a backdrop to the Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre already in place.

Once built, it's hoped the two projects in tandem could attract as many as 40,000 people a year into the region, while also sustaining employment for around 25-30 people between the centre itself and spin-off economic benefit in the local area.

Meanwhile, all employees at the Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre have successfully completed Fáilte Ireland’s Infection Prevention Control for Tourism Businesses course.

Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority in Ireland, recently launched the COVID-19 Safety Charter, which is an Irish Government-endorsed initiative to reinforce confidence in domestic and overseas visitors in tourism businesses.

The COVID-19 Safety Charter aims to reassure all visitors that the tourism and hospitality businesses that they visit have committed to adhere to the correct safety measures and hygiene protocols.