London Paddy’s Day Wexford tourism plan fails to find favour

A suggestion from Cllr Robbie Ireton for Wexford County Council to sponsor a float in the London St Patrick’s Day parade was sidelined.

Cllr Ireton said VisitWexford.ie has a five year tourism strategy, saying having a float in the London St Patrick’s Day parade would be a great way to advertise the county to a global audience. Calling for a banner with the London Wexford Association to be used he said the website could be advertised to Irish diaspora around the globe.

Director of Services for Economic Development Tony Larkin said the council had a tourism plan drafted up but decided to delay its release for a short time due to Brexit and the uncertainty around Irish Ferries continuing to sail to France.

Mr Larkin said the council have had some communication with Fáilte Ireland about the plan, adding that they will release an up-todate plan shortly.

‘I take on board the possibility of a St Patrick’s Day Parade float, but there is a Patrick’s Day parade in every city of the world. We do our international marketing through Tourism Ireland. We have a joint effort with Kilkenny and we are looking at expanding it at the moment (on ferries). How much we want to put into it with Brexit and a rapidly falling sterling I don’t know,’ he said, adding that the number of British tourists visiting the county could fall depending on Brexit.