North Offaly has much to offer for tourists says election candidate

General election candidate Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick believes attractions like Croghan Hill should be promoted more strongly

placeholder image — General election candidate Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick believes attractions like Croghan Hill should be promoted more strongly

Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick lists Croghan Hill, canal, Derryounce, fishing, golf as attractions

OFFALY election candidate Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick is pushing for greater tourism promotion for the north of the county.

The Independent candidate, who left Fianna Fail after the party's failure to nominate him for the general election, said he is “adamant that any future tourism promotion for the county must include the fantastic facilities and amenities that North Offaly has to offer”.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “Up until now, this region has been somewhat lagging behind other areas of the county but in recent times good progress has been made.

“I plan to seek an urgent meeting with the Minister for Tourism to make this a priority when I get elected to Dail Eireann. Tourism is very important for the economic wellbeing of County Offaly. As a county, we offer some unique attractions.

“We are all very proud of Lough Boora and its tremendous walking, cycling, fishing, and bird watching opportunities. We are also blessed with the unspoilt Slieve Bloom mountains which offer walking opportunities to all levels and the Shannon is an area of outstanding beauty. But let us not forget the many things that North Offaly has to offer.

“The fantastic Grand Canal Greenway beginning just outside Edenderry and going alongside the Grand Canal all the way to the River Shannon is a beautiful facility to walk or cycle on. Really excellent improvements have been made to the canal-side, offering a route way that is accessible to walkers, cyclists, and people with mobility challenges."

The candidate (pictured below) added: “It also offers coarse fishing opportunities, having hosted one of the biggest of its kind international fishing competitions. A Canoe Club was recently established in Edenderry and there are also two top class golf clubs in North Offaly, Portarlington and Edenderry. This area also offers a great choice of excellent bars and restaurants.

“The magnificent Croghan Hill is an attraction to many, whether you want the challenge of the tough climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic view for miles around, or you want to explore the rich archaeological significance of the area, which is sited on an extinct volcano.

“The weekly parkrun at Mountlucas is gaining a lot of publicity nationwide for its popularity with runners and their families. The walkways, lakes and trails in this area are constantly being upgraded especially Derryounce Lakes and Trails near Portarlington and this will prove to be a fantastic attraction for this region.

“So, there is no excuse for leaving North Offaly in the dark when it comes to promoting tourism in this area and I am steadfast in my commitment to ensure that the region gets the recognition and publicity that it so well deserves.”