Longford tourism development
Deputy Carrigy promotes Longford tourism and seeks progress for the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre; the Tánaiste recognises its heritage potential and notes Fáilte Ireland funding for a study.
Longford has untapped potential in terms of tourism. A number of projects have been developed to address this. I have been a director of Longford Tourism for the past 14 years. We have established our tourism network and a new strategy website aimed at increasing the awareness of what our county has to offer. Its rich and often untold story forms a backbone of this vision. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy 'Boxer' Moran, who was here earlier, for his support over the years with the formation of the Hidden Heartlands brand name and the work he is doing in the OPW. The Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre and the Corlea Bog Amenity Walk constitute a unique and untapped tourism and heritage site in Longford. We are working hard to promote the world of our heritage and the activities we have to offer, but we need further investment in order to bring to fruition the various projects that have been identified around the country, particularly for this, as I said, unique historical site and amenity that has so much potential in what is already a fantastic place to visit and enjoy. I attended a directors' meeting 10.30 a.m. for Longford Tourism, and we will be holding our annual general meeting at 3 p.m.
When will we seen further investment in this sector and particularly for Corlea bog and trackway as there is a timeline for this to be delivered.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Carrigy for raising this issue. I must say that Longford is really making big progress in the tourism sector. So many people are now heading to Longford and there are a number of tourism facilities there as well. I thank the Deputy for his work and passion around Corlea and the bog and trackway centre. It is a remarkable piece of our heritage. I share the view that there is real potential to make it a visitor attraction for Longford but also for the wider midlands.
I know the Deputy knows through his work that Fáilte Ireland has invested €262,000 into a study on the centre's future development through the just transition fund. I am informed that the work is now nearly complete on that, and this will give the OPW a clear basis for considering the next steps while protecting the Iron Age trackway that makes it such a special area. I am glad the Deputy is keeping a focus on it. I will be very interested to see the options the study comes up with, and the Government will work with the Deputy to advance them.