Promotion Of Lesser Known Attractions Holds Key To Revitalising Irish Tourism

The promotion of lesser-known tourist sites and attractions holds the key to revitalizing rural communities across Ireland. That's according to a number of leading West of Ireland tourism agencies due to embark on a weeklong promotional trip to the US next week.

Clare County Council, Shannon Development, the Clare Tourism Forum, the Clare Tourist Council and Shannon Heritage will be promoting some of Clare’s many attractions to over 140,000 festivalgoers at the Milwaukee Irish Fest in Wisconsin.

Mr. Tomás Mac Conmara, Acting Heritage Officer, Clare County Council explained, "The promotional campaigns of national bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland Limited are undoubtedly crucial to the overall success and development of the industry throughout the island at a very challenging time in the global tourism market. The Clare Tourism Forum and Shannon Development have also undertaken a huge amount of promotional work in this area. However, the promotion of the lesser known heritage attractions throughout the country is often overlooked even though they hold the key to revitalising rural communities and contributing to the sustained growth of the Irish tourist sector."

He added, "Clare boasts some of the world's most famous heritage sites and tourist attractions, including Bunratty Castle, Cragganowen, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. However, the County has much more to offer than just the famous tourism landmarks with a vast array of local heritage sites and attractions available to tourists. If promoted at local, national and international level they are likely to benefit from existing tourism business in the Region, as well as attract other visitors."

"Tourists come to Ireland to experience the cultural characteristics that make the country unique and unless we have the foresight to develop and promote this aspect for tourists we run the risk of being consumed into a homogenous western European tourism product and could significantly reduce our international appeal as a consequence", continued Mr. Mac Conmara.

Mr. Mac Conmara explained that County Clare’s lesser known attractions included 5000 year-old Portal Tombs, 23 surviving crannógs, 220 holy wells, round towers, King Brian Ború's doorway in Tuamgraney, the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron, over one hundred 12th century castles, 12th century high crosses and 224 recorded surviving ringforts. He also claimed that tourists are now more interested in experiencing local events like, heritage days, walks, talks, re-enactments etc. and encouraged heritage and tourism providers to work together in ensuring that events are promoted within the tourist season.

Meanwhile, Shannon Heritage, which promotes such famous tourist attractions as Bunratty Castle and Cragganowen, said that the organisation was very conscious of the need to showcase lesser-known attractions.

Marie Slattery of Shannon Heritage indicated, "Showcasing our flagship attractions is key to enticing tourists to our region, but it would be doing the area an injustice to forget the lesser well known attractions."

"Everyone knows that Knappogue Castle is ideal for weddings and the Castle's Medieval Banquets, but Knappogue's walled garden and castle tour as a day time attraction help to keep the visitor in the area for longer, benefiting everyone including the actual visitor. Promoting the lesser-known attractions in conjunction with the world-renowned products that the region has to offer is the only way to show the true promise of our region. In this manner we can maximise our potential as a destination", she concluded.

According to Kilrush Town Clerk Fiona Mooney, who will also be travelling to the US next week, "American visitors to Ireland have always been fascinated with the country's rich heritage, including its folklore, history, archaeology, geology, genealogy, and natural and built heritage. In County Clare we are especially fortunate to have such world-renowned heritage sites and a rich array of unique attractions."

Ms. Mooney added that the West Clare town of Kilrush was no exception but that it was imperative that all local attractions were promoted to potential overseas visitors.

"On my previous visit to Milwaukee in 2005 I found people to be interested in discovering more about less well known tourist sites and attractions. For example, Europe's largest colony of bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary, dolphin watching in the Shannon Estuary, the Scattery Island experience and the Vandeleur Walled Gardens are always the subject of enquiries from interested festivalgoers. Clare tourism has so much more to offer than the just famous tourism landmarks. That is why Kilrush Town Council has again decided to attend the Fest and play its part in promoting the Banner County as a first class tourist destination", concluded Ms. Mooney.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tomás MacConmara (087-2764980), Marie Slattery and Ms. Fiona Mooney are available for interview.
- Irish language interviewees are available.
- High-resolution images taken during the Milwaukee Irish Fest 2006 are available on request. Images of heritage sites in Clare also available. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353-868534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
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