Birr Tourist Office to remain open

Birr Tourist Office is to remain open this year, the Offaly Independent has learned. In a statement today (Monday) Fine Gael's Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said she has obtained clarification that both Offaly County Council and Failter Ireland are to work together to devise a plan to ensure the office will remain open next year in addition.

'In the year of the Gathing it would have been counter-productive for the tourist office in Birr to close,' Deputy Corcoran Kennedy said today. 'Tourism is absolutely vital to Birr, and to the entire south and west Offaly region. We have many wonderful tourist attractions such as Birr Castle and the world-renowned gardens, Lough Boora Parklands, Clonmacnoise, the annual Vintage Festival, the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Moneygall's links with President Obama, to name but a few. I am delighted that we will be able to continue to promote them through our local tourist office.'