Welcome for new Offaly Tourism Strategy

Offaly-based Cabinet Minister, Pippa Hackett has welcomed the new Offaly Tourism Strategy calling it ‘timely and relevant to our changing times’.

She also referred to the newest appointment to Offaly County Council, Mary Hensey, saying: “I welcome Mary’s appointment and wish her well. It is really important that businesses and individuals bring their ideas to Mary to see if these fit with the criteria for funding under the EU Just Transition Failte Ireland programme.”

Mary Hensey has been appointed to the Council on a three-year contract to support the Failte Ireland Regenerative Tourism Plan.

“I believe Offaly is a beautiful county with huge tourism potential," said Minister Hackett.

“However, it is really important that the EU Just Transition Fund is fully utilised by businesses and communities as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Offaly to get a leg up and for the funding to be a catalyst for growth in the sector. It is too much to place this responsibility on one role within the council, and I believe that all public representatives must support and promote the message: The funding is there, let’s use it.  We have a short window of opportunity for Offaly and we will have failed if we don’t attract significant investment to the county by 2027," Minister Hackett added.

"I look forward outside the box thinking; considering market segments from activity tourism to dark sky tourism and industrial heritage tourism and beyond. I know there are communities with excellent ideas – I have met with many.  I will continue to work with those communities and where their ask includes access to land under the ownership of agencies such as Bord Na Mona, I will continue to liaise with them also.”