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LOUTH ECO NOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN L O U T H S S T E H N E SI C U O B UN O TY O D OF CHOICE T TOURISM AND HERITAGE LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN County Louth Tourism & Heritage Action Plan 2016 -2021 Page 1 LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN Louth Economic Forum The Louth Economic Forum was formed in April 2009, following the publication of the Indecon suite of reports of that year, which set out detailed evidence-based and comprehensive economic development strategies for Louth over the period 2009- 2015. It was decided that the best way to implement the strategy in a coordinated manner would be to seek the collaboration of the State development agencies and the business community in Co Louth to take ownership of these strategies through the Louth Economic Forum. The Forum devised a 10 Point Economic Action Plan identifying 10 specific areas to be addressed within its work programme. Task groups were formed to drive each of these areas including Tourism and Heritage, which is the subject of this updated action plan. Page 3 LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN Martin Cronin, Independent Chairperson of the Louth Economic Forum, is a fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering and of Engineers Ireland. Martin was Chief Executive of Forfás from 2002 to 2009 and prior to this was director of operations at IDA Ireland for eight years. He is also Chairman of InterTrade- Ireland, Chairman of the Steering Group of the Connacht Ulster Alliance a board member at Appian Asset Management and a member of the Oversight Board of the Financial Mathematics Computation Strategic Research Cluster. Louth Economic Forum Membership Independent Chair Person Mr. Martin Cronin Business State/Development Agencies Local Authority Ardee Business Community Department of Social Protection Louth County Council Jim Malone Anne Keeley, Area Manager Joan Martin Dundalk/Monaghan Chief Executive Drogheda & District Chamber Eddie Phelan President Dundalk Institute of Technology Frank Pentony Irene McCausland Vice President for Director of Service, Dundalk Chamber of Strategy,Communications and Development Economic Development, Commerce Planning & Infrastructure Michael Gaynor President Enterprise Ireland Mary T Daly Anne Caldwell Regional Development Executive Senior Executive Officer, Agriculture, Food (NE Region) Economic Development & & Fisheries Forum Planning Jim Mulcahy Chairperson Fáilte Ireland Martina O’Dwyer, Project Officer Thomas McEvoy PayPal Head of Local Enterprise Emer Higgins, Events & IDA Ireland Office – Louth Communications Specialist Deirdre Craven Border Region Miriam Roe LMETB Economic Development Sadie Ward McDermott, Director of FET Unit SEAI Declan Meally Head of Department, Emerging Sectors Page 4 About County Louth • 1 hour commute from Dublin or Belfast; • Heritage county, steeped in history with outstanding archaeological features; • Internationally important and protected Port Beach coastline with an unspoiled natural environment; Ardee Castle • Blue flag beaches with picturesque coastal villages at Baltray, Annagassan, Clogherhead and Blackrock; • Vibrant towns of Dundalk, Drogheda, Carlingford and Ardee with nationally- acclaimed arts, crafts, culture and festivals, museums and galleries, historic houses and gardens; • Easy access to adventure tourism, walking and cycling, equestrian and water activities, golf and angling; • Welcoming hospitable communities, proud of what Louth has offer: ‘The wee county with a big heart’. Page 5 LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN Introduction Tourism has a critical role in contributing infrastructure in place to attract an to Louth’s economic development. Fáilte increased number of visitors to the county; Ireland’s growth projections estimate an extend their ‘dwell time’; and maximise increase of ten million tourists nationally by their ‘spend’ in order to gain increased 2020. Louth’s strategic position in the east revenue and create additional sustainable coast region and on Dublin’s hinterland, as local jobs across the county. well as the accrued tourism benefits from Ireland’s Ancient East, forecast a further It seeks to capitalise on Louth’s gain for the county. opportunities and enhance local economies throughout the county. To achieve this, we Louth has a strong value proposition need the support of the whole community and many stories to tell. ‘Louth Land of to fulfil our ambitious aims by adopting Legends and full of life’ brand feeds into a partnership approach with the Louth three key tourism destinations, Ireland’s Tourism Officers and other sectoral players; Ancient East, The Boyne Valley and the including Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Cooley Mournes Gullion Regions. Our the Northern Ireland Tourism Board. Green Way and waterways, our sandy coastline, our wide range of recreational Louth Economic Forum has consulted widely activities and our strong focus on arts with Fáilte Ireland, and a variety of industry and culture, artisan foods and festivals stakeholders locally and regionally to ensure give plenty of scope for visitors to ‘live life that the Tourism and Heritage Action plan to the full’ and extend their stay in the is in line with national and regional tourism county. Our challenge is to further expand strategies, and to optimise the spirit of the reach of this excellent tourism product. industry partnership which has underpinned the Tourism and Heritage Forum’s approach The Tourism and Heritage Action Plan from the outset. aims to ensure that Louth has adequate Page 6 Louth: The Tourism Opportunities Fáilte Ireland research shows that in 2015, Strengthening cross border co-operation revenue generated by overseas visitors to in tourism development will be key to County Louth accounted for 1% of the success and collaborative working with total revenue generated in the State. transport providers will facilitate and Building on our strong tourism offering promote easy access to the county. and growing our existing markets will increase further investment in our local The highly anticipated Greenore to areas. The Tourism and Heritage Plan Greencastle Ferry will extend Louth’s will adopt a community-wide cohesive market reach, and will enable visitors approach to enhancing our tourism from the North to access Louth more products and services. easily. Visitors to Co Louth have a plethora of choice within a small radius. The three key Millmount tourism destinations: Ireland’s Ancient East, the Boyne Valley and the Cooley Mournes Gullion Region demonstrate the potential growth opportunities within this market segment. St. Patricks Cathedral Page 7 LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN The Process As part of the review of the Tourism and Heritage Action Plan, the Louth Economic Forum hosted a workshop to examine Ireland’s Ancient East strategy and how it could enhance Louth’s tourism offering. It was attended by representatives from Fáilte Ireland, the hospitality sector, tour operators, tourism providers, arts, heritage, community representatives and delegates from the Chambers of Commerce. Participants discussed the opportunities for County Louth arising from Ireland’s Ancient East strategy and how more collaborative working could be achieved between the industry partners to capitalise on the designation. Their feedback and insights are reflected in this plan. The draft Tourism and Heritage Plan was presented to the members of Louth County Council Economic Development & Enterprise Support Strategic Policy Committee and adopted by the elected Members of the plenary Council. Page 8 Destination Development LOUTH Land of Legends Cooley Mournes Boyne Gullion Valley Ireland’s Ancient East Exploring our Mountains, Enjoying our Arts, Culture, Sharing our Heritage Fields and Sea Food and Festivals Page 9 LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN Explore Ireland’s Ancient East in County Louth Louth has a rich and ancient history and Monasterboice heritage. Travelling through this region of Ireland’s Ancient East, visitors can experience 5,000 years of history in lush green landscapes, a journey that will be brought to life by the best storytellers in the world. Louth’s ancient settlements, monasteries, castles, fortresses and Anglo-Irish great houses, illuminated by their rich oral and music tradition, provide a vast array of fascinating snapshots of life in the county through the centuries. The 40,000 kg Proleek Neolithic Dolmen, the sixth century Proleek Dolmen Muiredeach’s Cross at Monasterboice; the Viking ship fortress at Annagassan; the twelfth century Cistercian Abbey at Mellifont; St Oliver Plunkett’s shrine, and the Jacobean Beaulieu Manor House symbolise an unsurpassed authenticity and an insight to Louth’s multi-faceted past. Page 10 Discover Louth’s rich heritage in the Boyne Valley With the majestic River Boyne flowing through the counties of Louth and Meath, the Boyne Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest and one of the most important prehistoric megalithic sites in Europe. It is Ireland’s ancient capital and stretches across a sacred and mythical landscape. Its sites and monuments are amongst the best examples of their kind in Europe and are all within a short distance of each other. Knowth, Brú na Bóinne WHS They include the great prehistoric tombs Laurence’s Gate at Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange), the early monastic sites, the medieval walled town of Drogheda and the site of the infamous Battle of the Boyne. With its combination of history, heritage, myth and magic and its range of sporting and leisure activities, the Boyne Valley has become one of Ireland’s most visited and leading tourist destinations. Page 11 LOUTH ECONOMIC FORUM 10 POINT PLAN Enjoy Louth’s Natural Resources: Cooley Peninsula and the Mourne Gullion Region The village of Carlingford nestles route can be followed across Ireland to between Slieve Foy, Carlingford Lough the Cooley Mountains and is known as and the Mourne mountains and is The Táin Trail; a very accessible circular less than an hour’s drive from both walking route of quiet roads, forestry Dublin and Belfast. A unique blend of tracks, and open mountain paths, that natural beauty, spectacular panoramas loops around Carlingford Mountain and ancient legends combines with a and its western outliers.