‘Outrage’ at absence of Kilrush tourist office

WHILE Kilrush doesn’t have a full-time tourist office for the summer season, Kilrush Town Council marketing and development Officer Siobhán Garvey has said having a tourism information point in Crotty’s public house means that the information is available year round, seven days per week.

Occasions Gift Shop in Kilkee has also been licenced for a tourist information point for the 2013 season.
However Councillor Tom Prendeville expressed his “outrage” at the development.

“A positive for this arrangement is that these businesses are open seven days a week, which allows visitors at any time of the year to access tourist information,” Ms Garvey said.

At last Thursday’s June meeting of Kilrush Town Council, Councillor Prendeville requested an immediate meeting with Shannon Development regarding their decision not to fund a tourist office in Kilrush. Councillor Prendeville said this was despite the council’s “best efforts to promote and develop an array of tourism products in the area”.

While all councillors expressed relief at the fact that an information point is now located in Crotty’s, there was trenchant criticism of Shannon Development/Fáilte Ireland’s decision not to open a specific seasonal tourism office in Kilrush.

“We could have done with a tourist office two months ago.

“It’s the most backward thing I have ever seen by a body supposed to be promoting tourism,” Councillor Ian Lynch commented.

“In West Clare we take anything lying down. What’s the point in Loop Head being the best place to visit in Ireland if tourists don’t know how to get there?” Councillor Prendeville asked.

However, Ms Garvey pointed out ­Shannon Development ceased operations on May 31 and tourism responsibilities in the region now rest with Fáilte Ireland.

She suggested that if councillors want to meet with Fáilte Ireland personnel that they write to their office in Limerick. Earlier in her statement Siobhán Garvey said at a meeting attended by herself and Ger Dollard, with Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development, it had been noted that tourist offices are unprofitable.

“It was reported that tourist ­information offices nationally are not profitable and that the numbers using these offices have been falling drastically year on year. Given the increased use of smart phones and apps it is felt by Fáilte Ireland that the new model to provide tourism ­information is by way of tourist information points, which can be placed in ­existing businesses,” Ms Garvey explained.

However, Councillor Prendeville suggested that a meeting between Fáilte Ireland and Kilrush Town Council be held next month.

“Let’s invite them to the July meeting for a tête-à-tête and let them know in no uncertain terms what we think of their baffling decision not to fund and locate a tourist office in the town,” the Cappa councillor stormed.