Mr Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, has said that the Old Irish Goat Sanctuary and Visitor Centre being developed in Mulranny will help attract visitors to the village. Minister Ring was speaking at the recent sod-turning event for the new centre in Mulranny.
Minister Ring has announced over €137,000 for the development of the Centre through his Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme and LEADER Programme.
Minister Ring said: "Mulranny is one of the gems of the Great Western Greenway which, along with the Wild Atlantic Way, has brought many new visitors to the village.
"The Old Irish Goat Sanctuary and Visitor Centre will represent an iconic tourism attraction on the Wild Atlantic Way. It showcases Mayo's farming history and modern day efforts to conserve the genetic signature of this fascinating animal.
"The Government is strongly committed to enhancing our tourism product through supporting key tourism attractions. I am delighted to have been able to support this Centre through my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme and LEADER Programme.
"The Sanctuary and Visitor Centre, including the Gift of Hands Craft Studio, will no doubt be a fantastic new addition to Mulranny’s tourism offering. It will invite visitors to celebrate the ancient heritage and culture of the Old Irish Goat while displaying modern efforts to conserve this most notable of native species.
"This development will help to conserve the charismatic Old Irish Goat with its distinctive features and 12 colour patterns. Not only will it be a tourism attraction, it will be a unique biodiversity initiative connected to the Wild Atlantic Way and the Great Western Greenway.
"Excellence in tourism product ensures a high quality experience for visitors and is central to our tourism success story. In this regard, I am delighted that Fáilte Ireland is supporting the Old Irish Goat Visitor Centre and Sanctuary under its Clew Bay Visitor Experience Development Plan and will promote the Centre and Sanctuary as a Hero experience on the Wild Atlantic Way."
