District’s tourist potential needs more promotion

WICKLOW Municipal District will look into ways to better promote the many tourist attractions within the district.

Cllr Shay Dunne felt the promotion of popular tourist destinations within the area covered by Wicklow Municipal District wasn’t being properly utilised.

‘I am of the opinion that we are privileged in that we have the best Municipal District within the county, particularly regarding tourism. We have Glendalough, Wicklow Gaol, Brittas Bay, Kilmcarruagh and other attractions. We have so much going for our district and I feel we need to come up with some form of promotion.’

He noted that Arklow was considering advertising different tourist attractions on local roundabouts.

Cllr Cullen further proposed the possibility of producing a map for the district with an emphasis on tourist destinations.

‘It wouldn’t just be for tourists. It would also make our own residents of the county more aware of the attractions we have in our district.’

District Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Snell, added that the Black Castle in Wicklow town wasn’t being promoted enough.

Cllr Mary Kavanagh suggested naming two roundabouts after two local sporting legends, Peter O’Connor, who won two medals at the 1906 Olympics and held the long jump record for 20 years, and Irish international footballer, Seamus Dunne, who passed away recently.

‘When you are driving up and down the country, every town has a named roundabout. Peter O’Connor’s old house is still there and could be a big tourist attraction.’

Cllr Snell said he had already met with Wicklow’s Heritage Officer and both had visited Mr O’Connor’s old house in Ashtown.

‘It is in the ownership of Wicklow County Council and I wanted it marked in some way.’

Cllr Gail Dunne lamented the fact that there was no tourist office in the centre of Wicklow town near to Wicklow Gaol. COUNCILLORS attending Monday’s meeting of Wicklow Municipal District were treated to a presentation of plans to develop the FCA Hall on the Murrough into eight social housing units.

There will be brick work involved in every second house so as to fit in with the look of Urban Villas and the general area.

Car park spaces will be available at each end of the development, with six additional spaces further down.

The total cost of the development will be €1,233,754.

District Manager Joe Lane said that council officials had met with the FCA about the remembrance garden.

‘Some were willing to engage about relocating the garden and others, as far as they are concerned, believe it shouldn’t move.’

He added that the local authority was very conscious of the fact that FCA members, some of whom are now deceased, helped create the remembrance garden.

Cllr Mary Kavanagh questioned whether the FCA actually had ‘adverse possession’ of the FCA Hall and had ownership of the building from the old urban council.

However, Mr Lane rejected this and said Wicklow County Council had the full title from the Department of Defence.

Cllr John Snell said that, as Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District, he would be meeting with all members of the FCA and was conscious that moving the remembrance garden was ‘a sensitive issue.’