Wicklow Tourism Businesses Meet with Fáilte Ireland to progress ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’

Noel Keyes (Wicklow County Tourism), Jenny De Saulles (Head of Ireland’s Ancient East Programme, Fáilte Ireland), Michael Nicholson (Wicklow County Council) and Martina Robinson (Wicklow County Tourism) at the recent workshop in the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey. 

Tourism operators from Co. Wicklow attended Fáilte Ireland’s initial Ireland’s Ancient East stakeholder workshop at the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, Co Wexford, on 12^th May to learn more about the new initiative and to discuss how they can work with the national tourism authority to bring this new tourism initiative to life in the East and South region.

 

Ireland’s Ancient East is a new touring region which seeks to attract greater international visitors by building on the wealth of historical and cultural assets in the east of Ireland.  This new initiative, which includes County Wicklow, extends from Carlingford to Cork and Cavan to Carnsore and is based on 5,000 years of history, heritage and culture all located in a relatively compact region.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Programmes for Ireland’s Ancient East, Jenny De Saulles, explained: “The key to the initiative’s success will be how local history is illuminated by local people, communities and tourism stakeholders.  To that end, Fáilte Ireland is meeting and working with local interested parties over the coming months to enlist their support and expertise to bring the project to life and our tourism partners in County Wicklow have a key role to play in that regard.”

 

Following comprehensive research in overseas markets, the initiative will be aimed at specific overseas market segments who have indicated they would be more likely to come to Ireland to take in history and culture, explore new landscapes and to connect with local heritage and nature.  The proposition will be crafted along four distinct thematic pillars - Ancient Ireland, Early Christian Ireland, Medieval Ireland and Anglo Ireland.  

Ireland’s Ancient East is an evolving project on which work is now beginning to prepare for the tourism season next year.  In the months ahead, investment in a major signage programme and supports for attractions and heritage sites will be rolled out.

Author: Laoise Donnelly, Press Officer, Fáilte Ireland