In late 2018, West Limerick Resources in partnership with
Waterways Ireland and 13 local development companies (LDCs) and associated
local authorities commissioned SLR Consulting and Alan Hill Tourism Development
to investigate the feasibility of developing a 350 km cross-border Pilgrim
Way along the inland waterways. The area under consideration is a
20 km wide corridor which uncovers a unique and vast pilgrim heritage on and
along the inland waterways, from the Shannon estuary in Co Kerry northwards
through the Shannon Navigation, Shannon-Erne Waterway, and Erne System in Co
Fermanagh to Co Donegal. Please see map attached. The aim is to develop an iconic international 'Pilgrim Way'
based on the rich early Christian and Viking heritage of the Early Medieval
period in Ireland. Well known ecclesiastical sites include Scattery
Island, Iniscealtra (Holy Island, Clare), Clonmacnoise (Offaly), Quaker
Island (Lough Ree), Boyle Abbey (Roscommon), Devenish Island (Lough Erne) and
the iconic pilgrimage site at Lough Derg (St Patrick's) in Donegal, among
others. Many more, lesser known sites are included in the overall
analysis for a total of more than 100 sites in total. Our team is holding a series of
Consultative Workshops on the feasibility of an iconic Pilgrim Way in early
February 2019. See programme below:
These workshops will aim to engage with local authorities,
statutory heritage managers/ tourism & heritage operators/ community
heritage activists/ transport and activity providers, heritage guides and NGO
sectors. Or indeed anyone who can contribute to developing ideas for how
an internationally significant Pilgrim Way might optimally function and
operate along the entire Shannon-Erne system. We would like your inputs on the key heritage and conservation
issues, as many sites are active sites of worship and sacred to their
communities. We will also examine potential sustainable 'ways' to link
these special sites (walk, cycle, boat, bus transport), as well as visitor
management (accommodation, food, guidance, transport, parking etc)?
What are the opportunities that may contribute to economic development
and sustaining rural communities? What are the likely constraints? SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP | LOCATION | VENUE | DATE | TIME | Source Counties | Map Location/ Finding the Venue | Lower Shannon | Limerick | Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick City | Monday 4th February 2019 | 6.30pm-9.00pm | Kerry Limerick Clare Tipperary | Just off M7, Nenagh side of Limerick City https://www.kilmurrylodge.com/our-location.html | Mid-Shannon | Athlone | Radisson Blu, Northgate St. Athlone riverside | Tuesday 5thth February 2019 | 6.30pm-9.00pm | Offaly Galway Westmeath South Longford South Roscommon | Central Athlone https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-athlone/map | Upper Shannon & Erne | Carrick-on-Shannon | Bush Hotel, Main Street, Carrick centre | Wednesday 6th February 2019 | 6.30pm-9.00pm | North Roscommon Leitrim NW Cavan North Longford | Central Carrick-on-Shannon http://www.bushhotel.com/contact/find-us/ | Lough Erne & Donegal | Enniskillen | Enniskillen Hotel 72 Forthill St BT74 6AJ | Thursday 7th February 2019 | 6.30pm-9.00pm | North Cavan Fermanagh Donegal | Central Enniskillen – opposite Dunnes Stores https://www.enniskillenhotel.com/en/location/ |
Have your say!
We invite you to participate in these workshops and to also invite
others who may be interested in participating |
