A source of great excitement in the west

Sod turned on Shannon Pot Visitor Centre

The source of life for Ireland’s largest river for thousands of years, it provided a new source last Thursday - a source of great excitement - as the sod was turned on a €10M Shannon Pot Discovery Centre project.

As the turf sailed through the air and cameras flashed, the realisation that the much-anticipated visitor centre is set to be completed over the next 18 months settled in. The west Cavan attraction is expected to bring over 600,000 visitors by 2036. The tourist attraction will showcase the source of Ireland’s mightiest river, and tell the story of its geography, history, and mythology.

It will incorporate an immersive visitor exhibition and interpretive space, along with a reception, café, retail shop, public amenities, and a new 500 metre walking trail.

The project will also see development of new facilities at the nearby Cavan Burren Park including a unique sky walk through the trees, provision of an outdoor performance space, and increased parking facilities.

Both attractions are expected to be open to the public in early 2026.

Speaking before he turned the sod on the project, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Thomas Byrne, praised the west Cavan project, describing it as an “exciting day” for the county, for the wider region and for the country.

“After this project is completed, you will boast a world-class visitor experience,” he said.

The Meath TD said the region boasts a “beautiful landscape, rich history and mythology and a future that has so much potential”.

For the day that was in it, the region also flaunted a fog and some light rain, which did not dampen the spirits of the local county councillors, and the work they have put into securing funding for the project.

The project is being developed by Cavan County Council, which has received an award of €7.4M in funding from Fáilte Ireland through its Platforms for Growth Investment Grants Scheme for Immersive Heritage and Cultural Attractions.

A further €2.6M in funding will be provided by Cavan County Council from its own resources.

The project is expected to drive over €30M visitor spend, while creating 10 new jobs in the region, as well as supporting many ancillary jobs in tourism and hospitality businesses in the region.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr T.P. O’Reilly, was “delighted” that the project was embarking upon the construction phase of its development.

“It’s a fantastic launch to be part of and to be at, it’s a €10M spend here in west Cavan and I think it’s going to transform the area.

“You’re going to see the benefits in years to come,” he said.

Equally thrilled to see the project coming to fruition was Cllr John Paul Feeley, who is from the west Cavan area. He described the funding as “transformational”.

He said the project “will attract substantial numbers and will create a spin off”.

“In 18 months’ time it will be up to the local community, people with a hope of enterprise, to respond to that,” he said, adding that the aim of the project is to encourage people to holiday in the area and create economic spin off.

“That’s the whole purpose of this,” he said.

Deputy Brendan Smith said he was “very glad” to enlist the support of the Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin, and Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, in advancing this project to construction stage.

“This new amenity enhances the great attraction of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark,” he said.

He said the project “will enhance even further the tourism product on offer in Cavan and Fermanagh on a cross-border basis”.

The Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark is jointly managed by Cavan County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, making it the world’s first cross-border Geopark.

Ena McGinley is a local hairdresser in the area and is also the Killinagh Community Development Company Ltd Manager, where she manages Blacklion Holiday Homes.

She “absolutely” expects an uptake in tourism when the project is complete, however explained that all the attractions in the area, including the Stairway to Heaven walk on Cuilcagh mountain, the Burren Park, the Marble Arch Caves, Cladagh Glen and the new Discovery Centre will take more than one day to complete.

“At the moment we have three of them [holiday homes] let out long term but I find, when this happens, when this takes off, we’ll probably have to take those back as Airbnbs for visitors coming in.”

“We’ll probably have to take them back because we’ll be crying out for accommodation.

“There isn’t that many places to stay really, not many Airbnbs or self-catering houses,” she said.

“It will be great when this happens but, again, we’ll probably have to look for more accommodation and that in the area.”

Michael Smith has been the project manager of the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre since January, he said the construction phase of the centre is expected to take around 13 months, followed by a three-month fit-out phase.

“It’s a really exciting project for Cavan because it will put Cavan and the hidden heartlands on the map.”

He said the Shannon Pot receives 20-30,000 visitors per annum, with the Burren Park attracting similar numbers. The Stairway to Heaven boardwalk receives numbers of 200,000 per annum.

“We’re looking at developing a bigger area and a bigger network for dwell time, for people to stay in the area longer. That will obviously boost the local businesses, boost the local economy, create jobs and also help to promote more accommodation in the area.”

While the shovel was lifted to turn the sod, it now remains the duty of PJ Tracey & Sons along with Cooney Architects and DHB Architects to bring the project to life. The Shannon Pot’s fame can be traced back to Irish mythology; legend has it that Sionnan, the granddaughter of the Celtic God of the Sea, Lír, came there in search of the Salmon of Knowledge. The great salmon was angered by the intrusion and caused the pool to overflow, drowning her. Thus, the Shannon was created and still bears her name.