Local Labour County Councillor, Marie Tuohy, has called on Laois County Council to re-evaluate tourism policies in the county.
Cllr Tuohy commended the ongoing effort of the Management Team and affiliated bodies such as the Laois Chamber Alliance on the ongoing promotion of Laois as a tourist destination
But The Labour Cllr requested an update on the current Laois Tourism Strategy.
Cllr Tuohy also requested a status report on tourism-related infrastructure projects such as the facilities at the Rock of Dunamaise and Glenbarrow in the Slieve Blooms.
“It is appropriate at the height of tourism that we take stock of Laois Tourism – what we are doing; where we stand; what programmes we have in place; how we are competitive in attracting tourists,” Cllr Tuohy said.
“Can we take stock of how we are promoting Laois and what we are doing compared to neighbouring countie?
“We have the jewels in the crown in the Rock of Dunamase and the new parking there; but we also need to think about Emo Court. The OPW (Office of Public Works) managed with 300,000 visitors in 2022.
“Laois hosts both the National Ploughing Championships and the Electric Picnic, with 250,000 and 80,000 attendees respectively.
“We also have major events such as the Scarecrow Festival in Durrow, The Folly Festival (Cullohill), Forest Fest (Emo), The Festival on the Mountain in Rosenallis.
“We have the Abbeyleix bog project, the Grand Canal Greenway, the Slieve Bloom Bike Trails, and our county town, Portlaoise, with the pride of being the country’s most litter-free big town.
“We have the Dunamase Theatre, the Laois School of Music, Generation Laois, and Cretive Ireland Laois. The Council has made huge strides in relation to arts, culture, heritage and tourism.
“Portlaoise is at the axis of the country and it makes an ideal conference location.
“The question is: are we promoting ourselves in a way to make the best of tourism numbers? How do we compare with visitor numbers in our neighbouring counties?
“I question our designation of being part of Ireland’s Ancient East – should we really be in Ireland’s hidden heartlands, as we are a land-locked county?
“Have we any figures or data on visitor numbers so as to benchmark where we stand and how we make progress?”
In response, Mr Gerry Murphy, Director of Finance said: “The Strategic Plan For Tourism in Lois 2018 – 2023 was prepared by Laois Tourism CLG.
“The structure of the strategy is built on capitalising on new tourism opportunities for Laois to align the county with emerging tourism trends, national policy, and an ambition throughout the county to develop tourism into a buoyant economic sector.
“The objectives of the plan range from developing a competitive tourism industry that becomes attractive to overseas investors and visitors; capitalising on the outdoor pursuits potential of Laois; and the creation of areas of stand-out and unique appeal in Ireland’s Ancient East.”
Mr Murphy then gave an update on some of the tourism-related projects in the county.
A site has been purchased for the construction of parking facilities at the Rock of Dunamase. The immediate development of these facilities is a priority of the Council.
An extended car park has been developed at Glenbarrow in recent weeks, adding 66 extra car parking spaces to the original number of spaces.
The new car park has also been completed at Emo House and Gardens.
Funding of €500,000 has been secured for the Portlaoise Destination Town Project.
Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail is near completion. Barrow Blurway is set to be completed later this year, offering 46km of track around the canal.
Rás na mBan, Ireland’s premier women’s Stage Race, will take place in Laois on Friday, September 8, concluding at the square in Mountrath.
Fáilte Ireland is working to finalise its €68 million Regenerative Tourism Scheme, which is expected to launch in August.
This scheme and Fáilte Irelan’s Regional Tourism Strategy for Ireland’s Ancient East 2023 – 2027 will form part of the Laois Strategy Review.
SEE ALSO – Rosenallis Festival of the Mountain returns with a fresh outlook and vintage twist
