Minister claims Mullaghmore decision hurt Burren tourism

the failure to build a controversial interpretative facility at Mullaghmore has meant “the provision of information, interpretation and education for visitors to the Burren National Park has suffered” according to a Government minister.

Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, made the comment while in North Clare last week where he officially opened the new Burren National Park Visitor Information Point located in the Clare Heritage Centre in Corofin.
“The initial days of the Burren National Park were not without their difficulties – most notably controversy in relation to the proposed construction of interpretative facilities at Gortlecka, within the park. 
“It is fair to say that the provision of information, interpretation and education for visitors to the park has suffered over the years as a result. Twenty years have elapsed since that controversy and I am happy that we now have, at last, an information point for the park that will serve primarily as an access point to the national park where visitors can orientate and familiarise themselves with its main attributes prior to spending some time in the park itself,” Minister Deenihan said.
The Visitor Information Point in Corofin provides an educational and interactive experience for the visitor, using a blend of modern technology and interpretative panels on the geology, fauna, flora and management of the Burren.
While there, the Minister also announced his intention to introduce a bus service between the Visitor Information Point in Corofin and the National Park.
“It is also my intention to augment this new park facility by introducing this year, on a pilot basis, a seasonal bus service between the information point here in Corofin and the national park. This will enable visitors to leave their cars in Corofin, access the park, experience its beauty and habitats and walk the trails at their leisure,” he outlined.
Referring to the growing interest in nature and the country side as a recreational outlet and tourism product, the minister said “Such pursuits offer an interesting, educational, healthy and, indeed, free recreational outlet.
“This type of activity is very popular among our fellow European citizens and yet, I doubt there is anything like the quality of this scenery, landscape and welcome elsewhere in Europe.
“We need to continue to promote and invest in our natural heritage and its potential as it presents a great opportunity to support domestic and overseas tourism in this country and to assist in re-invigorating both the local and national economy.”