The map for the Ireland’s Ancient East tourism initiative, which stopped short of Louth
Local TD Peter Fitzpatrick has claimed that he has received assurances from Fáilte Ireland that County Louth will be included in the new ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ tourism initiative.
The new promotion was launched yesterday with its intention to promote the east and south in a similar manner to the Wild Atlantic Way, with the hope being that it will bring an extra 600,000 visitors here a year.
Local tourism bodies, businesses and politicians reacted angrily, however, after Louth – dubbed the Land of Legends – was left out of the picture with Fáilte Ireland’s promotional material claiming that the “cultural and heritage trail will stretch from the Boyne Valley in the northeast, through the midlands, Kilkenny, Waterford and end in Cork.”
The Battle of the Boyne site outside Drogheda was as far north as the initiative went on an illustrative map done up for promotional material, thus omitting other prominent local tourist attractions such as Cuchulainn’s Castle and the Táin area in Cooley and Carlingford.
Commenting via his Twitter page yesterday, Cllr Mark Dearey said it was “extraordinary and frustrating that the Cuchulainn story cycle” didn’t feature in the campaign.
Cllr Declan Breathnach also demanded answers as to why Louth, in particular the north of the county, was excluded. It was also questioned by Paddy Malone of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, who said they were “not impressed” by the omission.
The Visit Carlingford tourism group were another to express their disappointment via Facebook.
They said: “How can North Louth be left out of this with the history we have, ancient land of Cu Chulainn and the place where the last High King was crowned and based (Edward de Bruce) could be ignored, snubbed by Failte Ireland. VERY Disappointing.”
However, Deputy Fitzpatrick, having spoken to Fáilte Ireland’s Gary Breen at a Cross Border Tourism Conference in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk today, said he had received a commitment this morning that Louth will be included in the Ancient East initiative.
Speaking at the conference, Mr Breen issued an apology over the debacle, saying: “Apologies on behalf of Fáilte Ireland. It was not our intention to exclude any part of Ireland’s rich heritage, least of all Louth’s. It is regrettable that we scored a PR own goal in Louth yesterday.”
With much of the promotional material already printed and the promo video already made, it remains to be seen just how Louth is included, having been previously overlooked.
From left: Local TD Peter Fitzpatrick and Dundalk Chamber of Commerce PRO Paddy Malone with Fáílte Ireland’s Gary Breen in Dundalk this morning
Talk of the Town 