Chapter 4: Resilient Economy & Job Creation
4.21 Tourism
Main Comment
We welcome the recognition that the key focus for the Midlands/Mid-East Failte Ireland Region will be the further development of the local culture and heritage Product.
4.21.1 Tourist Attractions in Kildare
We welcome the recognition of the bogs and canals as important tourism areas.
Policy
Main Request
Include a new policy statement to recognize the importance of the establishment of the 5th National Blueway – the Barrow Blueway – in Kildare as an opportunity to create a major nature-tourism brand in West and South Kildare as recognized in the new Green Infrastructure Core-Nodes-Corridor Strategy as follows. The plan should reference the Barrow Blueway Economic Plan, the West Kildare Just Transition Plan and the revised Kildare Tourism Strategy which all recognize the opportunity for new tourism hubs in Kildare centred on the Barrow Blueway as a corridor as follows:
Promote the development of the Barrow Blueway as a major Blue and Green in infrastructure to promote nature tourism hubs in the county linked to existing and new nature and tourism sites.
Main Reason: The Barrow Blueway is the most significant tourism development in the county over the past 10 years and provides the opportunity to create a major nature-tourism brand in the county to regenerate economically-depressed communities in West and South Kildare and links to Offaly and Laois.
4.24 Peatland Tourism
We welcome the support for Umeras Peatlands Park and Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park to increase access and educational value of the bast peatland network in the county and as part of a wider National Peatlands Park. Our group has already received positive indications of support from Bord na Mona and Coillte for the development of Umeras Peatlands Park and welcomes KCC’s strong support for the initiative.
We welcome the objectives REO125, 126, 127 and 130 to support peatland conservation and tourism at Umeras Peatlands Park.
Main Request
That the Map on Page 43 is updated in line with the Green Infrastructure Map which recognizes Umeras Peatlands Park as a stepping stone for nature tourism. We would also recommend the inclusion of Church of Oak on the map. This creates a new tourism hub incorporating Monasterevin, Rathangan, the Barrow Blueway, Umeras Peatlands Park and Church of Oak and this should be highlighted on the map. It is our understanding that the new Into Kildare Strategy recognizes the potential of this new tourism hub and this should be featured on the new Kildare Tourism Map.
Main Reason
As stated, the new Kildare Tourism Strategy, Barrow Blueway Economic Plan and West Kildare Just Transition Plan all recognize the potential of Umeras Peatlands Park and this should be added to the Kildare Tourism Map along with Church of Oak.
Main Request
RE O126 Facilitate the development of a tourism resource using cutaway peatlands in conjunction with Bord na Móna and Fáilte Ireland, subject to environmental considerations and nature designations, for example, recreational forestry, outdoor pursuits, peatways on the network of bogs and industrial railways and a designation of a National Peatlands Heritage Park.
Amendment : use the term National Peatlands Park for consistency and recognition