Fáilte Ireland launches new 5-year sustainable tourism development plan for the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border area 

Fáilte Ireland has today launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Cavan, Leitrim and the northern part of Roscommon.

The launch took place at the Arigna Mining Experience, Co. 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 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.

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.
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.”

Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Border DEDP Co Chair, Eileen Gibbons (Electric Bike Trails, Co. Leitrim) said:

“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.”

Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Border DEDP Co Chair, Anne O’Donoghue, CEO, Irish Heritage Trust (National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon) said:

“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 said:

“I believe that Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is a ‘Sleeping Giant’ and, with the 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.”

The Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border DEDP has been developed through a collaborative approach and will be dependent on local tourism businesses, stakeholders and local communities working with each other and with Fáilte Ireland to implement this plan over next five years. Read the full Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border Destination and Experience Development Plan here