4.21 Tourism
Change the ending of paragraph 2 to read
"The key focus for the Midlands/Failte Ireland region will be the further development and promotion of the local culture, heritage product and eco-tourism."
Reason for amendment: Failte Ireland recognises sustainable eco-tourism as a growth market for Ireland - Kildare has a unique opportunity to maximise this potential via the rehabilitation of former industrial peatlands in West Kildare and integrating their rehabilitation with developments along the Royal, Grand and Barrow Blueways.
4.21.1 Tourism Attractions in Kildare
Change the introductory sentence in paragraph 2 to read
Kildare currently has a varied tourism portfolio with a position of excellence in heritage, golf, equine including horse racing, adventure activities, shopping, walking and cycling (including the Greenways and Blueways) and peatlands based eco-tourism
Reason for amendment: Established attractions such as Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, which has won a national award for environmental innovation, is a key attraction in Ireland's Ancient East. It attracts thousands of fee paying visitors every year demonstrating the viability and employment potential of eco-tourism
on paeatlands.
Policy Objectives
Change RE 095 so that
Peatlands are included the range of tourism offers to be supported in the expansion and development of the tourism in Kildare,
Reason for amendment: Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park has demonstrated the employment and financial potential of eco-tourism for Kildare. A National Peatland Parks would maximise the economic benefits of peatland based tourism, demonstrate the importance of carbon capture, and showcase biodiversity and local culture.
4.24 Peatland Tourism
Change the text in paragraph 2
At the end of the second paragraph change National Peatlands Heritage Park to National Peatlands Park. For consistency plese use National Peatlands Park throughout the plan omitting Heritage
Add the following section after National Peatlands Park.
Given its proximity to Dublin, Kildare is well positioned to serve as a gateway county for visitors accessing the peatlands. Establishing an inter county National Peatlands Park and integrating this development with the Blueway and Greenways has the potential to establish a world class peatland’s / activity based experience. This would grow eco-tourism in a way which complements Kildare's current offering, and help deliver a Just Transition to the peatland communities of West Kildare.
Reason for amendment: Reflects potential of proposal and Failte Ireland core goals - "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" and Peatland Eco-Tourism Research - Final report due May 2022.
Add a new Objective after RE 0127
Support the West Kildare SMART Rural Alliance and access for peatland communities to the European Network for Rural Development's Smart Village initiative in conjunction with Offaly County Council, Laois County Council, Leader companies in each county, and all other relevant stakeholders.
Reason for Amendment: A collaborative approach is required at all levels to ensure the delivery of a Just Transition. Silo based thinking and standalone proejcts are unlikely to deliver on the potential for peatlands tourism. A collaborative approach will recognise and start from the common socio-economic challenges facing the the region and avoid unnecesary competition for resources.
4.25 The Barrow Blueway
Add new Objective after RE0131
Support and facilitate the development of Rathangan as a Blueway destination town based on its natural and built heritage, proximity to the peatlands and Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park and collaborate with the National Transport Authority and Local Link to provide connectivity.
Reason for Amendment: Rathangan has the potential to benefit greatly from the Blueway given its location on the river Slate and Grand Canal, its ancient ring fort -once the heart of ancient Offaly, its Georgian architecture, its Quaker connections which date to 1690, the more recent history of Bord na Mona with Killinthomas Turf Camp/Hostel at the heart of Killinthoms Woods, and the Ballydermot Works which through a newtork of industrial railways links Rathangan to communiities across the Midlands. The National Transport Authority is currently considering a submission for a new bus service starting in Allenwood and connecting Lullymore, Rathangan, Monasterevin and Kildare town. This provides Rathangan and Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park with bus links to the Blueway towns of Allenwood and Monasterevin, as well as to Kildare.