More than 1,000 nominations have so far been received in a recently launched Seven Wonders of the West campaign, with Croagh Patrick featuring top of the list for county Mayo.
Helping to refocus people’s energies on all things positive, the Western Development Commission has now produced a shortlist of seven nominees — one for each of the Western Region’s seven counties. Members of the public can now vote for the outright winner by logging on to the body’s official website.
“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the public’s response to this campaign,” said Joanne Grehan, WDC regional development executive. “The shortlist includes many iconic western sites such as the Burren in Clare, Croagh Patrick in Mayo, and Lough Key and its islands in Roscommon. We were particularly taken with some of the more colourful nominations like Nancy’s Pub in Donegal and surfing on Strandhill in Sligo, and it came as no surprise to see that unique experiences like the Galway Arts Festival and the Organic Centre in Leitrim also feature as favourites. People have really become emotionally involved.”
She added that while it is a difficult choice for people to select just one wonder from the shortlist of seven in each county, “We are calling on everybody to get voting to make sure their favourite place, experience or festival is officially named as one of the Seven Wonders of the West”.
All who vote for their favourite from the shortlist will be entered into a draw to win an Apple iPad plus two return tickets to the UK from Ireland West Airport.
“We are calling on everybody to cast their votes at www.lookwest.ie, by email to [email protected] or on www.facebook.com/LookWest before 5pm on Wednesday December 15; so please get voting and let the countdown begin,” concluded Ms Grehan.
