Kildare County Council urged to outline rural tourism strategy for this Municipal District
A local representative asserted that a strategy would be ‘absolutely vital’ for the region
A local councillor asked Kildare County Council (KCC) to outline its rural tourism strategy for one Kildare Municipal District (MD).
Fianna Fáil Cllr Veralouise Behan made the request at the latest Athy MD meeting, which took place on Monday, June 20 last.
Specifically, she motioned for KCC, in conjunction with the tourism body Into Kildare, to ‘outline its rural tourism strategy, along with any funding, available to the Athy MD’.
Her motion was seconded by her party colleague, Cllr Brian Dooley, who previously motioned for KCC to create a tourist forum for the MD.
In response, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: “The Kildare Tourism Strategy 2022-2026 is due to be revised over the coming months with a view to guiding the work of KCC and Into Kildare, in the tourism area, over the coming years.
“With respect to funding of tourism initiatives, it should be noted that KCC invests significant funds across the county in the promotion of Kildare and in the development of product.”
PROJECTS
KCC continued: “In relation to the Athy MD specifically, recent investments in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and other strategic partners, in The Brigid Spirit of Kildare Festival, Shackleton Experience, Emily Square, The Barrow Blueway, Athy Boat Tours, Burtown House, the forthcoming Shackleton Autumn School Festival, 48-hours in Athy and other projects, have both helped to develop and promote the urban and rural areas with the ultimate goal increasing the number of both on-island and off-island visitors across the four seasons.
“Furthermore, Into Kildare recently hosted travel writer Isobel Conway for a two-day media visit to Athy, highlighting the Shackleton Experience and the wider benefit it is bringing to local tourism businesses.”
KCC concluded by adding: “Further media and press visits are planned over the summer and for the remainder of the year to showcase Athy, recent investment in the area and its broader tourism offering.”
Following this, Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin entered the conversation to suggest an in-person meeting between Into Kildare and the MD’s councillors.
Cllr Dooley then spoke again to tell KCC: “This [tourism] strategy will be absolutely vital for the MD.”
He also said that he agreed with Cllr Breslin’s suggestion — “I would very much welcome a meeting with Into Kildare,” he added.
Cllr Behan then re-entered the conversation one final time in order to issue an appeal to KCC.
She told KCC: “We really need to get on this as soon as possible.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme