Taoiseach helps launch Camino De Uíbh Fháilí proposal at Tullamore Show

Taoiseach Michael Martin joined Offaly TD Tony McCormack at the Fianna Fáil tent at the Tullamore Show to help launch a new proposal to develop Camino De Uíbh Fháilí, an ambitious new tourism product centred around the Grand Canal Greenway in County Offaly.

The proposal which was produced by Tony McCormack TD seeks to create an internationally recognised walking, cycling and running experience stretching from the Kildare border across the county to Shannon Harbour, linking communities, businesses, heritage attractions and tourism providers along the route.

The launch took place in front of a large crowd at the Fianna Fáil tent during what was a hugely successful Tullamore Show, with record numbers attending this year's event.

Speaking at the launch, Tony McCormack TD said the proposal was about creating a new reason for people from Ireland and abroad to visit and stay in County Offaly.

"This is much more than a walking route. Camino De Uíbh Fháílí is a vision for a new tourism experience that can bring visitors into the heart of Offaly, encourage them to stay longer, spend money locally and discover the extraordinary history, heritage and natural beauty that our county has to offer."

The proposed Camino would follow the Grand Canal Greenway through Edenderry, Daingean, Ballycommon, Tullamore, Rahan, Pollagh, Ferbane and Shannon Harbour, while also connecting visitors with nearby towns including Banagher, Birr, Belmont and Clara.

The proposal highlights the significant number of attractions within and close to the route, including Clara Bog, Lough Boora Discovery Park and Sculpture Park, Birr Castle and its world-famous telescope, Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery, Charleville Castle, the River Shannon and Clonmacnoise.

Mr McCormack said the initiative could provide a major boost to local businesses.

"If we get this right, a visitor could arrive in Edenderry, walk to Daingean, stay overnight, continue to Tullamore, enjoy local food and hospitality, visit the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery, continue through Rahan and Pollagh, take a detour to Lough Boora and eventually finish in Shannon Harbour."

"That means accommodation providers, restaurants, cafés, pubs, bike hire companies, taxi operators, tour guides and many other small businesses all have an opportunity to benefit."

The proposal also calls for investment in consistent signage and branding along the entire route, including directional signage, kilometre markers, maps and information panels explaining the history, heritage and natural environment of the areas through which the Camino passes.

It also proposes that Fáilte Ireland work with local communities to encourage the development of new tourism enterprises, including affordable accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, budget hostel-style accommodation, bike hire, canoe hire, luggage transfer services, cafés and guided experiences.

Mr McCormack said the initiative fitted perfectly with the growing European market for slow tourism.

"People are increasingly looking for authentic experiences. They want to walk, cycle, enjoy nature, discover local history, eat local food and meet local people. They want to slow down."

"Offaly has everything needed to deliver that experience. We already have the Greenway, the canal, our heritage, our attractions and, most importantly, our people."

He said Camino De Uíbh Fháilí could also become a model for other Greenways throughout Ireland.

"There is a huge opportunity here for Offaly to become the template for Greenway tourism nationally. We can demonstrate how an existing Greenway can become the backbone of a much wider tourism experience that benefits communities along its entire route."

The proposed Camino can be completed in a variety of ways, depending on the visitor. It could be undertaken as individual day walks, over a long weekend, as a five-day walking experience or over a longer seven-day holiday.

Cyclists could complete the route in one day or take two or three days to explore the attractions and communities along the way.

Tony McCormack TD thanked Taoiseach Michael Martin for helping to launch the proposal and said the next stage would be to bring the concept to local and national tourism stakeholders.

" The Tullamore Show had record numbers and it was wonderful to see so many people at the Fianna Fáil tent for the launch."

"I want to thank the Taoiseach, Barry Cowen MEP, our councillors, party members and, most importantly, the many members of the public who stopped to hear about the proposal."

"This is the beginning of a conversation. With the right support from Government, Fáilte Ireland, Offaly County Council and local communities, I believe Camino De Uíbh Fhaílí can become a major tourism success story for our county."