Tuamgraney, County Clare A Community, Tourism and Cultural Development Study May 2018 Funded by Executive Summary Produced by This feasibility Study was commissioned by Tuamgraney Alan Hill Tourism Development Ltd Tourism Working Group and funded by Clare County in association with Council. Its aim was to scope the potential of developing Richard Rice (Healy Partners Architects) a sustainable tourism, community and cultural quarter and in the heart of the village to assist driving Rural Development in the wider area. The core elements of this Nevin Associates Ltd. Study are the ancient St Cronan’s Church, Tuamgraney Castle (c. 1600- built to protect this ecclesiastical legacy Commissioned by which goes back over 1,000 years), and the nationally Tuamgraney Tourism Working Group significant Tuamgraney Handball Club and Alleys. Finally, these assets coexist with a Parish House, which Designed by presented- within the overall campus. This intriguing OpticNerve redevelopment scenario if fully realised will add genuine value to both locals and visitors alike and position Funded by Tuamgraney to be a key location in Fáilte Ireland’s new Clare County Council destination brand- Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. On average, once every generation communities in Acknowledgements rural Ireland are presented with an opportunity to Tuamgraney Tourism Working Group would fundamentally change their development trajectory; like to acknowledge the assistance of all The Tuamgraney community in East County Clare is now those who inputted into this development of at this point. This Study has examined the options that this study. In particular the group would like lie ahead to reinvigorate the local economy along with to thank the elected members of the Killaloe its cultural, social and recreational life. It stands on the Municipal District for their support and shoulders of significant community achievements and a recognisable momentum of late. funding of this study: Cllr Michael Begley, In order to properly investigate and communicate the Cllr Pat Burke, interconnections between spaces and communities, this Cllr Joe Cooney, Study adopts a spatial zonal approach, moving from an Cllr Pat Hayes, inner Zone 1 (the tourism, community and cultural Cllr Tony O’Brien, quarter), Zone 2 (the village) and flowing out to a Cllr Alan O’Callaghan. Zone 3 (East Clare). This spotlight is ever present throughout the document. Tuamgraney, in addition, cannot be removed from any debate about Holy Island Further Information or Lough Derg. All are inextricably linked by history, [email protected] narrative and geography. www.tuamgraney.ie East Clare Memorial Park, Tuamgraney 1 Executive Summary An essential building block of this Study has been the The scale of initial funding required for Phase 1 is on-going conversation with the community through relatively modest (c. €300K); however, the returns are the autumn of 2017 and spring of 2018. The constant significant in economic, infrastructural and societal input of key partners like Clare Council and CLDC terms. Tuamgraney village has immediate challenging / LEADER has given the Study an authenticity along deficits to overcome, from accommodation to destination with signposting immediate actions upon completion. recognition, but there are no obstacles that are beyond The Study has identified that there is considerable their capacity to overcome through working together. potential (and justification) to redevelop Zone 1 in an Tuamgraney, and in particular Zone 1, has the potential incremental, imaginative three- Phase fashion as follows: to become a signature discovery point in the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Brand to be developed. Recommendation 1: Conserve and enhance St. Cronan’s Church This change will only come about through greater for the benefit of its congregation, local community participation in the process. The timeframe community and visitors (Phase 1); needs to be viewed as being inter-generational. The management challenge ahead is great, requiring new Recommendation 2: ways of seeing, communicating and delivering the vision Expand and enhance the Parish House as set out in this Study. The on-going practical support of a community, cultural and visitor hub for key external partners will be critical to success. Tuamgraney (Phase 1); There is strong support evident for the built vision in Phase 1. The visual enhancement will be significant, but Recommendation 3: more importantly, it provides the community with new Explore further the potential of spaces to socialise, learn and entertain. The quality of life the development of a National Handball will be improved for many. Visitors likewise will benefit Museum / Experience (Phase 2); from an attractive, unique and authentic Irish rural village close to the Shannon and with an important Recommendation 4: (and entertaining) set of stories to tell and be told by Explore the restoration of Tuamgraney gifted storytellers. Castle to allow access for visitors (Phase 3) This Study demonstrates a confidence that there is a sustainable market for this integrated development vision and that Tuamgraney has a key role to play in the development of the new Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Brand. 2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Tuamgraney 4 1.2 Tuamgraney Tourism Working Group 4 1.3 Key Plans and Strategies 5 1.4 Terms of Reference 7 1.5 Defining the Study Zones 7 2 The Consultation Process and Key Findings 9 2.1 Introduction 10 2.2 Community Survey Feedback 10 2.3 Tuamgraney Community Mindmap 11 2.4 Key Findings 11 3 Key Recommendations and Core Strategic Partners 13 3.1 Zone 1 Recommendations 14 3.2 Zone 2 Recommendations 26 3.3 Zone 3 Recommendations 32 3.4 General Recommendations 33 3.5 Core Strategic Partners 34 4 Management, Operations & Finance 35 4.1 Governance 36 4.2 How Best to Manage Things Going Forward 37 4.3 Generating a Prudent Financial Model 38 4.4 Assumptions of the Financial Model 39 4.5 Revenue Forecasts 40 4.6 Conclusion 42 5 Conclusion 43 6 Appendices 47 6.1 Appendix A 48 6.2 Appendix B 49 6.3 Appendix C 49 6.4 Appendix D 50 6.5 Appendix E 51 6.6 Appendix F 52 1 Introduction 4 1.2 1.1 Tuamgraney Tourism Tuamgraney Working Group Tuamgraney is an award-winning village in East Clare Tuamgraney Tourism Working Group (TTWG) was adjacent to the town of Scariff. It lies close to the shores established in late 2016 to examine the potential of of Lough Derg with access to the lake via Reddan’s Quay and tourism and rural development in Tuamgraney. and Scariff Harbour. The village is approximately 30 / The working group is made up of representatives of the 40 km from Limerick, Ennis, Shannon and Portumna. following: It enjoys a strategic location on the main route around • Tuamgraney Development Association Lough Derg with the core of the village marked by an • Bodyke / Tuamgraney Pastoral Council attractive Memorial Park at the junction of the R352 • St Cronan’s Church Committee (Ennis to Portumna road) and the R463 (Tuamgraney to • Tuamgraney Community Weekend Committee Killaloe road). • Tuamgraney Handball Club • Tourism Business Interests in Tuamgraney The history of Tuamgraney dates from the 6th Century when a Monastery flourished there – a sister foundation The group considers that strengthened tourism and of Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) on Lough Derg. It is a cultural development in Tuamgraney has the potential well-appointed village and a high performer in the Tidy to complement the flagship tourism proposals for Holy Towns Competition- winning a bronze medal for the past Island / Inis Cealtra as outlined in the Inis Cealtra 6 years. It is also an overall winner of “Clare in Bloom” Sustainable Tourism & Visitor Management Plan. Clare on several occasions, including 2017. Tuamgraney is County Council has funded this Study for Tuamgraney a former overall winner in its population category in through support of the elected members in the Killaloe the All Island Pride of Place awards. The community Municipal District. has a strong record of accomplishment in community development particularly through Tuamgraney Development Association (TDA) founded in 1996 and who initiated the formation of Tuamgraney Tourism Working Group. Tuamgraney and its immediate surroundings boasts a range of activities; from equestrian, fishing, sightseeing, golf, and offers high quality craft and artisan retailing experiences. The village is the birthplace of world- renowned author, Edna O’Brien, world champion handball player, Pat Kirby, and well-known historian, the late Dr. Edward MacLysaght. East Clare Memorial Park, Tuamgraney Reddan’s Quay, Tuamgraney 5 1.3 Key Plans and Strategies 1.3.1 1.3.2 Clare County Development Plan Lough Derg: Life at the Lake - A Roadmap 2017–2023 for Experience Development and Scariff / Tuamgraney is identified in the Clare County Destination Marketing 2014–2017 Development Plan 2017–2023 as a Service Town for the This document was published in 2014 to guide those East Clare area. Scariff / Tuamgraney had a population involved in Experience Development and Selling in the in 2016 of 770. The Clare County Development Plan Lough Derg Area. The vision of the Study is to develop 2017–2023 identifies a focus on tourism for Tuamgraney. Lough Derg as a key destination for superb water based activities combined with a range of very high quality “Scarriff and Tuamgraney are recognised as one of the main walking, cycling, heritage, culture and food experiences service centres in East Clare. The opportunity exists to allow that will entice domestic and international visitors to these complementary settlements to expand to improve the stay longer. range of services available to residents of both settlements and to visitors to the area. This plan proposes that significant 1.3.3 service provision will continue to be directed towards the Lough Derg Heritage Audit 2011 more established town centre of Scarriff, while Tuamgraney An audit of the key heritage assets and themes associated will be encouraged to complement this role with the provision with Lough Derg was undertaken in 2011.