Need for West Offaly to better benefit from Clonmacnoise tourism
A local Minister has stressed the need for the West Offaly region to better benefit from tourism at Clonmacnoise Monastic Site.
Minister of State Pippa Hackett said she is working to ensure that ongoing plans to enhance Clonmacnoise Monastic Site will benefit the wider community and bring the potential for spin off enterprises to boost the local economy.
Speaking following a visit to Clonmacnoise, the Minister said: “We must do all we can so that visitors to Clonmacnoise are tempted to extend their stay and enjoy more of what West Offaly has to offer. We must encourage them out of their cars and coaches and onto our trails and greenways and into our local businesses. They won’t be disappointed.”
Referring to the masterplan which was commissioned by the Office of Public Works in 2021, the Minister continued: “A masterplan for the enhancement of Clonmacnoise is being prepared and I believe it presents a once in a generation opportunity for collaboration across agencies and community to create something very special: A heritage experience which is truly inclusive of local communities, is climate proofed, and brings economic uplift and the potential for spin offs to the wider region.”
Pointing to the bigger policy and funding picture, she said: “It is essential that the plans for the future of the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site take account of opportunities including the recent Failte Ireland Tourism Plan and trail development, significant Government investment in active travel, greenway development, rural public transport, outdoor recreation infrastructure and the ‘Our Rural Future’ policy of Government. It must also take into account the local communities’ wishes and plans”.
“I am working with communities including in Shannonbridge, Clara, Banagher and Ballycumber who are ready and willing to play their part in the transition of their region."
She said she has written to the contractors, Denis Byrne Architects, who are preparing the plan, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan and Offaly County Council who are feeding into the plan, and with many other stakeholders.