Much-needed county Longford campervan site can unlock tourism potential
Cllr Sean Mimnagh called on the local authority to provide more amenities
Councillors unanimously supported a motion at the monthly meeting of Ballymahon Municipal District last week to progress the development of a recently acquired site in Lanesboro to promote tourism and establish a dedicated campervan and campsite.
Local representative Cllr Sean Mimnagh, called on Longford County Council to provide much-needed amenities for visitors to the area and for the development of a food hub, to support local producers, food entrepreneurs, and regional agri-food initiatives.
Cllr Mimnagh also requested that the local authority make 'provision for a community centre, which would not only serve as a vital space for local services and activities, but which could also accommodate the support needs of the proposed campervan and campsite, such as reception facilities, showers, toilets and shared indoor space'.
Cllr Mimnagh said they recently acquired a council site, the old convent building and five acres to the rear of the premises.
The local representative said he recently joined a delegation from the council who travelled down to Graiguenamanagh, county Kilkenny.
"For those who were on it we saw what was possible and in my eyes there is nothing in Graiguenamanagh that couldn't be in Lanesboro and I would say Lanesboro is probably a better area.
"We are lacking accommodation in Lanesboro and it seems to be one of the big things holding us back."
Cllr Mimnagh said the Graiguenamanagh area, which has a similar population to Lanesboro, collected €1.9million in revenue from the tourism linked to their campsite.
"We have hosted lots of races here in Lanesboro with 800 to 1,000 athletes and we had two races last year.
"There can be 15 or 20 camper vans parked in car parks in Lanesboro but a lot of these people now want facilities."
Cllr Mimnagh said since 2010 the number of campervans in the country has doubled and there are now 20,000 such vehicles registered in the country.
"For me the potential is there, the site is there, the amenities are there and they are getting there and also along with that we are crying out for a community centre in Lanesboro, the local parish hall is too small for anything.
"We have about 300 kids in the village and the villages adjoining Lanesboro that have to travel 15km in winter time to attend training in an indoor facility.
Cllr Mimnagh said they are also crying out for a community childcare facility in Lanesboro and he said the council need to progress a food hub that was proposed back in 2018.
"There is an individual out there who is seven years working on it, he is very passionate about it.
"I have been to the ones down in Drumshanbo and I've seen the potential of it and all of this whole site really ties in with the vision that I have as to what Lanesboro could be potentially."
Fine Gael Cllr Martin Skelly, who was also on the trip to Graiguenamanagh, seconded the proposal.
"Lanesboro is a great hub, a great central area in the heart and the middle of the country and it's crying out for facilities and we all know about the accommodation."
Cllr Mick Cahill and Cllr Pat O'Toole also supported the motion and they said it was an excellent motion and Lanesboro deserved to have more facilities.
Senior Executive Engineer Brian McNeela read a response from Acting Director of Services Michael Nevin who said Longford County Council recently acquired a six acre site in the centre of Lanesboro that will hopefully facilitate the development of a range of community focused facilities.
"A masterplan is currently being prepared for the site to determine the proposed different facilities such as campervan, community centre and some industrial infrastructure."
Mr Nevin said a 'community centre is a long-held community wish' and the first step is to build a business case and support any future funding application which should be completed by the end of 2025.