Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith is calling on the Minister for Tourism to prioritise funding for the development of a Shannon Pot Discovery Centre at the source of the River Shannon at Derrylahan, near Glangevlin.
Speaking to Minister Catherine Martin, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “This project, when delivered, will be a key tourism attraction for the Upper Shannon region. I am very anxious for this project to be advanced without delay as it will add considerably to the tourism product in the Upper Shannon region.
“This is right in the heart of the UNESCO-recognised Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark and in the Cavan Burren area”.
The project is currently being considered under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth programme. Deputy Smith was informed by the Minister that Fáilte Ireland is evaluating applications which made it through to stage 3 of the five-stage overall assessment process and the successful projects are likely to be notified of a decision before June.
The Cavan Monaghan TD continued: “Cavan County Council did excellent work in preparing this application. Councillor John Paul Feeley has strongly advocated for the development of such facilities, and I am glad to have supported his work on this project.
“The overall cost of the project is €6.6 million, with the Council providing €1.7 million of that cost. This Discovery/Interpretative Centre will promote history and culture and, notably, the importance of the River Shannon, the country’s longest river at 360 km.
“Visitor displays, walking trails through the forest and a major viewing point will all dovetail very well with the amenities developed already as part of Cavan Burren Park”.
Deputy Smith concluded by urging the Tourism Minister to see the overwhelming merits in getting this project greenlit.
“The source of the River Shannon, a river that is central to so much of our national tourism industry, needs this amenity. I sincerely hope the Martin will be able to speak to the officials in Fáilte Ireland, who are assessing the application, about its merits and the need for such investment in this part of the Hidden Heartlands of Ireland”.
See attached Dáil debate on issue –