Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has been praised for his role in the establishment of the new tourism brand for the Midlands.
Launching ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ at the Hodson Bay Hotel last week, Minister for Tourism Shane Ross commended his Independent Alliance colleague for his pursuit of the new Midlands branding, which aims to boost tourism and bring jobs and economic growth to the whole region.
“Minister Moran, during the talks for Government, was very strong in his view that a stand-alone tourism project for the greater Midlands region be adopted and included in Fáilte Ireland’s long-term investment plans to complement existing projects, The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East,” Minister Ross said.
“The economic benefit to the Midlands from this proposition was very obvious to Minister Moran right from the outset, as it would benefit not only Longford and Westmeath but also a much wider area including Roscommon, Offaly and East Galway.
“After talking with key industry players in the region, including John O’Sullivan, and galvanising local political support, Minister Moran got a commitment in the programme for Government, backed by the Independent Alliance, to develop a new regional tourism brand, as a separate proposition, side by side with Ireland’s Ancient East and The Wild Atlantic Way.
“Minister Moran can rightly take credit for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, and for having the vision and tenacity to see it through from Government commitment to today’s announcement.”
