Minister for the Diaspora and International Development Ciaran Cannon has welcomed the news that Portumna`s Marina and Camper Van Recreational Park has been short-listed for an Excellence in Local Government Award by Chambers Ireland.
“This is a very positive acknowledgement that Portumna is a highly desirable tourist destination with scenery and heritage among the very best in the Lough Derg region. The recreational park at the Marina has 18 fully serviced parking bays with refurbished toilet facilities and is nestled between Portumna Castle and Portumna Forest Park’,” he said, adding that the Excellence in Local Government Awards highlight the most effective procedures in local government and seek to reward innovation in the development of new facilities and services.
“In bringing this project to fruition, Galway County Council brought together the OPW, Waterways Ireland and other local participants to develop a masterplan for Portumna as a visitor destination.
“This endeavour was a wonderful example of the kind of cross departmental collaboration that is necessary to develop facilities for the public. Our local authority is continuing to build on this success and a planning application has already been lodged for new car parking facilities at Portumna Castle which had over 14,000 visitors in 2015.
“In addition, the Irish Workhouse Centre at Portumna should see in the region of 8,500 visitors this year. This is all good news for Portumna and a testimony to its growing appeal as a tourist destination’, he concluded.
