New 5-year plan for Upper Shannon launched

Tony Walker, GM, Slieve Russell Hotel regards Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands as a “‘Sleeping Giant’”

Fáilte Ireland has launched a new five-year sustainable tourism development plan for the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border area.

The launch took place on Tuesday (January 21) at the Arigna Mining Experience in Roscommon.

As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland hope to drive and sustain tourism across Cavan, Leitrim and the northern part of Roscommon by extending the region's tourism season promoted as part of the wider Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

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.

A range of key initiatives have been identified. 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 also 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.

The DEDP takes a regenerative approach to tourism ensuring the community and place are at the centre of the tourism model, collectively working towards delivering a net positive benefit for all stakeholders – Visitor, Industry, Community and the Environment – where possible. It will also deliver on the opportunities identified in the Shannon Tourism Masterplan and implement recommendations from the recently published Feasibility Study for the Sustainable Development and Greening of the Cruise Hire Sector.

The roadmap for the sector's development up to 2033 was completed by KPMG in collaboration with Waterways Ireland, the Irish Boat Rental Association and Local Authorities.

As part of that, Cavan/ Belturbet stand a chance to benefit with its public marinas.

Speaking at the launch, Fáilte Ireland 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, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities.”

Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Border DEDP Co Chair, Eileen Gibbons (Electric Bike Trails, Co. Leitrim) added: “The Upper Shannon, Shannon Erne and Border Region is very rich in nature with an abundance of lakes, rivers and a unique landscape making it essential that the tourism development of this area is done keeping the natural resources of nature and environment at the heart of every action as set out in the plan.”

Fellow Co Chair, Anne O’Donoghue, CEO, Irish Heritage Trust (National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon) stated that “regenerative tourism” places community and place at the centre of the tourism model. “This Plan provides a framework for an integrated, collaborative approach to regenerative tourism across the region in a manner that seeks to deliver net positive benefits for nature and the community.”

Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Border DEDP Co Chair, Tony Walker, GM, Slieve Russell Hotel meanwhile regards Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands as a “‘Sleeping Giant’” and, believes that with “joint collaboration” between all the state bodies and the many stakeholders “we can collectively awaken this region offering world class Regenerative Tourism which will become a much sought after travel destination for many like-minded visitors to our shores.”