Could Lough Ree Monster be our newest tourist attraction?
You've heard of the Loch Ness Monster but visitors may be flocking to Lanesboro in the near future to catch a glimpse of the elusive 'Lough Ree Monster'.
You've heard of the Loch Ness Monster but visitors may be flocking to Lanesboro in the near future to catch a glimpse of the elusive 'Lough Ree Monster'.
The creature was the brainchild of a man named John Farrelly who recently entered the 'Your Country, Your Call' campaign which was created by President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin in the hopes of creating thousands of jobs in Ireland.
Entrants to the Internet based competition could receive up €100,000 in prize mone and €500,000 to develop their ideas.
John Farrelly wrote to the organisers saying: "What if we had a tourist attraction that was so fantastic that each and every one of our visitors would be falling over themselves to see it?
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Lough Ree Monster. I know what you're thinking. 'Hasn't this already been done in Scotland?' Yes it has."
Mr Farrelly then pitched what he feels will make the Lough Ree Monster stand out in the annals of history.
"I feel the Lough Ness Monster's one major drawback is a lack of credibility in its existence. The Lough Ree Monster will not suffer such a fate.
"It will be first sighted by two members of the community who are so trustworthy in character as to render its existence beyond fact.... I would suggest a local politician and a member of the clergy."
Since the Loch Ness Monster was first 'discovered' in the 1930s the shy creature has earned millions of pounds for the Scottish tourist industry through submarine and boat rides, souvenir gifts and stays in the Loch Ness Hotel.
And through this innovative project, who knows, maybe guests will be flocking to the Lough Ree Monster Hotel in a few years and trawling the lake for evidence of a local resident with a difference?
So next time you're passing by Lough Ree you should keep your eye on the lake for shadows or unusual objects, you never know who or what you might see!
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Longford, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
