“Castlebar has a lot to offer,” according to Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD who officially opened the county town’s Tourist Information Office this week. Having identified tourism as a growth area since entering government, Minister Ring said it was imperative that all Mayo’s towns work together to achieve the aim of making Mayo the walking capital of Ireland.
This is something that is a real objective for Mayo with the development and undoubted success of the Great Western Greenway. A key project for Fáilte Ireland is the completion of the Greenway’s infrastructure which includes it’s extension to Castlebar and Turlough and it’s promotion widely at tourism shows in Ireland and abroad.
Castlebar has seen a lot of positive investment over the last couple of years which has led to the development of the River Walk and the Lough Lannagh walk.
The re-opening of the Tourist Information Office, which doubles as the Chamber of Commerce headquarters and is manned by volunteers and Chamber staff, is a positive move in furthering Castlebar’s tourism offering. The office is open six days a week during the high season and is centrally located on Linenhall Street, at the Linenhall Arts Centre. It is the dedication of Chamber staff, namely Norann Dawson who works on a CE Scheme and Mick Baines, who have made the reopening of the office a possibility, along with the strong volunteer effort.
In attendance at the opening was Castlebar’s Mayor Councillor Brendan Henaghan who congratulated the local Chamber on this initiative.
The Tourist Information Office has on display a comprehensive selection of quality free literature for visitors to take away outlining Castlebar’s attractions, what to do in Mayo, activities available on a more regional basis and also information about the local business community.
A tourism fund of €1.2 million, including €400,000 by county councils in the west, has been allocated for the development of tourism in the west according to Minister Ring.
While in Castlebar almost €1.9 million has been spent on projects by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Ring over the last year including the multi-use games area and outdoor fitness installation at Castlebar Town Park (€103,995 ), Castlebar to Islandeady Greenway link (€950,000 ), Castlebar to Turlough Greenway project (€725,000 ), and making Castlebar an Active Town (€120,300 ).
Parish Priest in Castlebar Fr John Cosgrave blessed the office and local businessman Mark Basquil of T-Rex clothing presented Minister Ring with a specially commissioned t-shirt.
