Killaloe & Ballina– Discover what is on your doorstep

Public Meeting to take place 31 January 2012

Killaloe & Ballina have been offered the opportunity to have a Discover Day in 2012. Organised by Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Shannon Development and Clare & North Tipperary County Councils, a Discover Day provides an opportunity to showcase everything that is on offer in the area.  Local business has a key role to play in raising awareness of the tourism assets of Killaloe & Ballina and the area. The Discover Day will facilitate them to do that to a wider audience.

The Public Meeting will be held in the Lakeside Hotel on the 31th January at 4.30pm sharp and will last 1 hour.

A presentation by Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland will be followed by a Q&A Session. All businesses, voluntary groups and tourism and recreation providers interested in taking part should attend on the day.

Fiona Monaghan, Head of Operations Fáilte Ireland West, said –
“Killaloe & Ballina have been chosen to showcase the tourism assets of the area.  We hope the event will give local people a greater awareness of what to see and do in their community and therefore, allow them to act as ambassadors for their area with both domestic and overseas visitors.

According to Martin Dennany, Marketing Director for Waterways Ireland –
The Discover Days are a hugely successful initiative throughout the Lakelands and Inland Waterways Region. The people and attractions of Killaloe & Ballina make this area stand out.  I believe the event will attract 1,000’s of visitors. This investment in the development of local knowledge and expertise will impact long term on the visitor experience in and around the twin towns, and Waterways Ireland is delighted to have played a part in making this a reality. 

Events will be co-ordinated locally via a steering group formed from representatives of local businesses. The initial meeting of the committee will immediately follow the Public Meeting and will focus on gathering activities for the day. Potentially this could include visitor attractions, water activities, arts and crafts, face painting, live music, a historical walking tour of Killaloe & Portumna, boat trips and other land and water activities.

John Grimes, Feile Brian Boru Committee ““Feile Brian Boru is pleased to work with Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Shannon Development with the support of Clare and Tipperary County Councils in highlighting the visitor facilities we have on our doorstep.  The Discover Killaloe & Ballina Day will give the local people and surrounding areas the opportunity to experience the wonderful visitor attractions, facilities and services we have to offer so they can in turn become our best ambassadors in promoting Ballina & Killaloe as a visitor destination.” 

The Discover Killaloe & Ballina initiative is part of a broader campaign to develop and promote Ireland’s Lakelands and Inland Waterways which aims to significantly boost visitor numbers to the Lakeland regions over the next three years.

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For further information please contact:
Fáilte Ireland:  Tony Dawson Ph: 087 811 9262
Waterways Ireland:  Katrina Mc Girr Ph: 087 9918412
Shannon Development: Bernie Leonard Ph: 086 8702556