Significant Longford tourism project has 'amazing potential'

Clondra is set to benefit from a significant tourism infrastructure project members of Longford County Council heard at the November meeting of the local authority.

A presentation from Waterways Ireland revealed a number of tourism projects being developed in County Longford.

The meeting with the local representatives discussed Waterways Ireland's approach to proposed bylaws changes.

The State body that oversees the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of inland navigable waterways have concluded a public consultation phase on the proposed bylaws changes, with a second phase of public consultation to facilitate further engagement with the public and stakeholders currently underway.

The proposed bylaws suggest the reduction of mooring times, removal of winter mooring and a controversial levy on water users.

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Patrick Harkin, WI's Inspector of Navigation, and Brian Treacy, the North Shannon Senior Engineer for WI made the presentation to the local authority.

The representatives told the councillors that the body oversaw The Shannon Tourism master plan, a strategic development plan for the country's most significant waterway. The plan is developed in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and the 10 local authorities across the Shannon catchment area.

The main thrust of the plant is to develop the Shannon Erne Waterway as “a destination of international scale”.

Mr Harkin said: “There are two assets that are located in Longford; The Royal Canal and the Shannon.”

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Among the projects highlighted by Mr Harkin was the development at The Red Bridge on the Inny River, near Ballymahon. The Shannon navigation extends to the Red Bridge on the eastern shore of Lough Ree, however no waterway or waterside facilities were developed at that location.

The Waterways Ireland development at the Red Bridge consists of eight berths, a canoe launch area, car parking and land-based facilities.

There are two hubs in Longford on the Royal Canal Greenway: Clondra and Longford. The WI representative said the estimated visitor spend arising from those hubs is in the region of €17.2m per annum.

“It's a huge asset to Longford,” Mr Harkin said, “The Shannon and Erne Discovery Points are an interpretative network of trails. There have been over 70 sites evaluated across the Shannon and Erne. We have identified 33 locations that will have iconic interpretive pieces to create a network of art similar to the Wild Atlantic Way.”

Three of those sites are in Longford: Lanesboro, Clondra and The Red Bridge: “We are currently developing designs for each location,” Mr Harkin told the meeting.

Other plans for developments at Richmond Harbour in Clondra and Tarmonbarry are being worked on in conjunction with two local authorities.

The plan is at implementation stage and a steering group is in place: “This plan has amazing potential, particularly around the old dock at Clondra. We really see the potential for overhauling that area, and provide an outdoor recreation centre. Just Transition Funding will be available for this project,” the Inspector of Navigation said.

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