Economic spin-off hopes for Atlantic Way

Ireland’s first long-distance touring route, the Wild Atlantic Way, is “bound to have an economic spin off” in Clare, according to one TD here. The drive stretches from Donegal to Cork, with details of the route announced this week incorporating the Clare coast from the Galway border to the Killimer ferry.

Labour Deputy Michael McNamara said if “properly marketed, it will open up our coastal villages and beauty spots and this is bound to have an economic spin off”.

He said the confirmation of Loop Head on the route including the Bridges of Ross and the Lighthouse, is positive although the road from Kilbaba will only be able to accommodate small coaches.

“The configuration of the route through Carrigaholt taking the lower coast road to Kilrush makes good sense and emphasising the ferry links to the islands at Doolin to Aran and at Kilrush to Scattery is good news,” he added.

Over the next year the focus will be on preparing a signage plan for the route, along with ensuring the discovery points are visitor-ready. A series of looped itineraries off the main spine are also planned to further develop the experience for visitors.

In a submission to Fáilte Ireland, the Clare Labour TD proposed a loop to provide an “interior Burren experience” linking Ballyvaughan to Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna.

“Not only is this route spectacular, but the area is rich in accessible monuments and visitor experiences,” he said.

“Another option for a ‘loop’ would follow the Shannon Estuary from Kilimer Car Ferry Terminal through Labasheeda to Kildysart. Community interests in Kildysart are currently exploring ways of developing the tourist potential of the islands in the Shannon at the mouth of the River Fergus. These are the hidden gems of south Clare. the best known is Canon Island with its fine medieval Augustinian Abbey,” he concluded.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey challenged tourist groups and the leisure industry in the county to get behind the route.

“The Wild Atlantic Way is an effort to collaboratively highlight the strengths of the western seaboard and already there was been fantastic engagement from tourism operators, local authorities, business people and residents to this project,” Deputy Carey said.

“I am fully confident that we in County Clare will play our part to ensure the county as a whole capitalises fully from what could potentially be a world class tourist route,” he added.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500km route and includes 156 strategically placed discovery points for tourists along the way.

Paddy Mathews, manager of destination development with Fáilte Ireland, believes the project will be a great addition to what Ireland has to offer visitors.

“Developing a route like this is an important part of ensuring Ireland is able to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience. It will open up a huge number of towns and attractions to them and showcase the scenery and unique culture of the West Coast of Ireland, providing easy access to a range of experiences along the route.

“Now that the route has been finalised we will be focusing our efforts on turning all this preparatory work into a reality – an international driving route to rival the best in the world.”

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring joined Fáilte Ireland to present the final route to 300 top overseas tour operators attending Meitheal 2013 earlier this week.

“The Wild Atlantic Way is a very exciting project and I’m certain it will be a major tourism attraction.  But to make it happen we all need to get on board.

“There has been a great response so far and I’m encouraging tourism operators, local authorities, business people and residents to stay involved to get this over the finishing line,” said Minister Ring.

Fáilte Ireland has been working with all the local authorities along the west coast as well as the leader companies, Údaras na Gaeltachta and the Western Development Commission.