Visit of 72 "key decision makers" to Longford could spur investment and tourism in county

Investment in Longford and a boost to tourism are just two of the anticipated outcomes from a recent ICMA trip to the county, which saw 72 local government representatives from around the world make three stops in Longford as part of their Irish tour. 

Speaking to the Longford Leader, Councillor Paul Ross, described the delegation as key decision makers. 

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Cllr Paul Ross at the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre

He told the Longford Leader, “The purpose of this visit is to try and get some investment into Longford, to promote Longford as a tourism destination all over the world."

"We recently had our ministers going all over the world promoting Ireland as a tourism destination, and now we're bringing back the key decision makers to Ireland during this six day visit."

He added, "They're in Dublin, north of Ireland, south of Ireland, but they've come to Longford as well, which is an unusual stop for them so we're here to promote the best of what Longford has to offer as a tourism destination, and to also try and get some investments in the county as well.”

Cllr Mick Cahill and Director of Services and Deputy Chief Executive John Brannigan on the Corlea trackway with the ICMA visitors. Pic by Shelley Corcoran  

The 72 senior local government professionals from countries such as the United States, Australia, South Africa, Latvia and Canada visited Longford as part of the ICMA Global Exchange programme, a collaboration centered around knowledge-sharing and best practice in local government. 

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As part of the trip, the delegation visited key sites across the county, starting with the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, where they learned about the county’s Just Transition from a peat-based economy to sustainable development.

 Pic by Shelley Corcoran

It was then on to Ballymahon where a panel discussion highlighted eco-tourism, EU Just Transition funding, and major projects such as Center Parcs Longford Forest.

The group finished their visit with a tour of St Mel’s Cathedral where they met council leaders, including Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh and Chief Executive Paddy Mahon, who emphasised Longford’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to sharing valuable lessons with the global community of local government representatives.

Pic by Shelley Corcoran

Speaking about how Longford came to be on the ICMA's Ireland-wide itinerary, which included hubs such as Dublin, County Councillor Paul Ross said the credit lay with one man. 

“The chair of the CCMA, the City and County Managers Association of Ireland is Paddy Mahon, the Longford County Council Chief Executive."

"He was very insistent on getting a stop in Longford to show off the wonderful tourism we have here!”

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