LIMERICK has been included in the new €3.5 million phase of the Wild Atlantic Way tourism route launched last weekend with Foynes Island Viewpoint designated as one of the route’s Discovery Points.
Photo-friendly marker points and interpretation panels – explaining the significance of each point –are to be installed at each of the Wild Atlantic Way’s Discovery Points ahead of next year’s tourism season.
Fáilte Ireland has been working with Local Authorities along the Atlantic coast, including Limerick County Council, to complete this crucial upgrade of the Wild Atlantic Way’s designated Discovery Points.
This work will involve the installation of Photo Points at all sites which are designed to literally ‘frame’ the photographs taken by visitors at beauty spots and scenic views along the route.
The work will also involve the erection of sturdy weather-proof interpretation panels at each point to tell the relevant stories for each particular area and Fáilte Ireland has worked with a number of communities along the route to bring these stories to life.
The interpretation panel will also include information advising visitors of other things to do and see in the area and will also include an orientation map of the immediate surrounding area.
The €3.5 million investment also includes a remedial works programme which will entail the repair of surfaces, boundary walls and fencing and the general tidying up and presentation of the sites.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn said the tourism promotional agency wanted to improve the visitor experience along the Wild Atlantic Way and give visitors opportunities to learn from, engage with and share what they encounter in county Limerick.
Speaking at the launch of the latest extension of the route, Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring said that the Wild Atlantic Way, which has already been hailed as a game-changer for Irish tourism, would be further enhanced by the inclusion of county Limerick to its ongoing evolution.
“This marks another significant step as we begin to bring to life the stories along the route and create opportunities for tourists to explore each Discovery Point.
“We don’t want people rushing along the route but instead we want them to fully engage with this part of Ireland. This investment in the Wild Atlantic Way’s Discovery Points is intended to encourage those who travel along the route to slow down, catch their bearings and explore all there is to offer nearby. In this way, we will attract more visitors and persuade them to stay longer.”
