€15m splash on Lough Derg

€15 MILLION in tourism-related infrastructural developments have been identified for Lough Derg by a local working group as part of a new strategic plan to attract thousands of additional visitors to the Lakelands and Inland Waterways region.
A provisional list of improvements to harbours, marinas, walking and cycling trails has been drawn up by the Lough Derg Working Group, which is devising specific projects to secure funding from the National Tourism Development Plan, managed by Tourism Ireland.
The group is working in co-operation with local authorities in the region to develop a new tourism brochure for the twin towns of Ballina and Killaloe, major new events such as a marathon swim in Lough Derg and a cycling challenge around the lake next year.
Flan Quilligan, tourism product development manager, Shannon Development, also predicts the entire Lough Derg region will benefit from the economic spin-off from Limerick City’s selection as European City of Sport in 2011.
This prestigious award comes as the result of a bid made earlier this year by Shannon Development and Limerick City Council to the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES) based in Milan, Italy.
Over the past few years, almost €0.5 million has been spent improving tourism infrastructure in Clare, including €160,131 on Lough Derg, East Clare angling; €67,255 on Lough Derg driving routes; €50,004 on Killaloe historic town; €45,500 on the East and Mid Clare Way; €25,000 on the Lough Derg Way; €23,000 on the Ballycuggeran Loop Walk, Killaloe; €13,203 on the East Clare Way; €15,747 on the O’Briensbridge loop walks and €10,000 on the Lough Derg cycle route.
This compares to a total of €1.498m spent on developing new facilities throughout North Tipperary, including the flagship Lough Derg International Waterpark project, which costs €1.9 million in total, of which €960,500 has been spent to date.
The project involves the provision of enhanced tourism facilities on Lough Derg at Terryglass, Dromineer, Garrykennedy and Ballina and will assist in making Lough Derg one of the key tourism destinations in Ireland, particularly, for activity-seeking holiday makers. Other North Tipperary projects that secured funding are Lough Derg Lake Lookout, Portroe (€82,146); Terryglass amenities (€400,350) and Nenagh Cycling Hub (€30,000).
In total, over €6m has been spent on tourism developments along the River Shannon from Limerick City up to South Offaly.
Working with local authorities, the Lough Derg group is completing a comprehensive overview of what infrastructure and products are available along the shoreline and what improvements can be made over the coming years.
Mr Quilligan revealed the group has already produced a marketing brochure highlighting canoeing from Limerick City up to South Offaly and would now work with the Lakelands project to develop one for the entire River Shannon.
Over the past three years, Shannon Development has worked in partnership with tourism bodies such as Waterways Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to produce the new Lakelands and Inland Waterways Strategic Plan, which was launched in Killaloe last Thursday.
Mr Quilligan explained the purpose of the strategy is the provision of a marketing, product and destination development initiative providing a targeted and co-ordinated approach to tourism, recreation and hospitality on the Shannon and Erne catchments, together with a 30-mile corridor on either side.
Paul Ryan, tourism and corporate marketing manager, Shannon Development, noted €2.8m has been spent on overseas marketing of the Lakelands super region from 2007 to 2009, with €600,000 annually on the domestic market due to contributions from Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development. In addition, 600,000 Lakelands guide brochures were printed for the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch markets.
In 2009, there were 831 publicity items published with an equivalent advertising value (EAV) of €13.8m. The Three Men In a Boat initiative, which included a trip on a boat from Killaloe to Limerick City through the 100ft drop at Ardnacrusha lock, had an estimated EAV of €5m.
Waterways Ireland head of marketing, Eanna Rowe, explained the strategic plan identified waterside and land-based infrastructure, such as new toilets blocks and showers as well as developing a new canoe trail around Lough Derg to exploit the huge market for this sport in the UK.
Mr Rowe said there are also plans to earmark suitable sites for the private sector to develop campsites around the lake that would enhance existing walking and cycling routes.
He added the tourism programmes would also develop certain niche markets such as the interest in historic houses, castles and gardens, as well as Christian heritage sites by linking Holy Island, off Mountshannon, with Clonmacnoise in marketing brochures.