The 2024 Vision

Connected clusters of experiences for visitors with a range of small berthing opportunities off the beaten track. The seamless slow transport network means visitors can vary how and when they travel – on horse, bike, boat, canoe or foot.

The opportunities

✓ Better walking and cycling links between the town, castle and forest

✓ Potential to upgrade the Portumna water recreation area

✓ More visitor focused Main Street

✓ Opportunity to build on impact of the ecclesiastical heritage

✓ Potential of projects supported by the Heartlands Heritage Group

✓ Highlighting the Oak and Iron stories of the Slieve Aughty mountains.

✓ Opportunity to trail scattered accommodation

Killaloe/Ballina Destination hub

What it’s got

Killaloe/Ballina has a range of great outdoor activities on the water and along the trails. It offers historical interest, great accommodation and food options.

The 2024 Vision

Visitors will be able to plan and book joined up experiences online so they can head straight onto continuously safe trails from the town to the water to the mountains, with access to good food and water activities on the way.

The opportunities

✓ Adding to existing walking trails

✓ Linking walking and canoe trails so business can provide visitor services

✓ Open up a safe off-road link to Limerick

✓ Consider additional accommodation such as glamping, pods and cruise boat conversions.

✓ Improve key vistas such as Portroe

✓ Showcase the Coilte forest at Castlelough

✓ Consider the feasibility of new activities in nature locations with existing infrastructure

Holy Island and Destination Villages

What it’s got

Holy Island and the five lakeside settlements have masses of historical interest with lots of local creative workshops and restorative experiences. There’s plenty of good accommodation, places to eat and drink, and a range of water activities around the area.

The 2024 Vision

A more strategic link up of experiences will allow visitors to have connected, multi day trips with more creative ways to experience the distinct history of the area and unusual and distinctive places to stay. A seamless slow travel network will mean travellers can boat up and walk or cycle back while stopping off for food or entertainment.

Nenagh Gateway Town

What it’s got

The historic streetscape with its range of local shops, facilities and the arts are a key attraction for tourists. Plans are underway to develop a new Tourist Information Office and consider the feasibility of creating an Historic Quarter.

The 2024 Vision

A pedestrian friendly town with great information and orientation on arrival. Great festivals and events that celebrate Nenagh’s food and culture, a dedicated Historical Quarter and accessible, interpretative river walks.

The opportunities

✓ Full implementation of the Holy Island visitor management plan

✓ Potential for looped, lakeside walks

✓ Promotion of the historic role of the harbours in food transport

✓ Increase nighttime activities in lakeshore villages

✓ Provision of more tranquility mooring zones

✓ Opportunity to trail scattered accommodation

✓ More accessible information on angling opportunities

The opportunities

✓ The possibility of a new Historic Quarter in the town centre to include the Castle, Gaol and Court House.

✓ Potential to improve the Nenagh cycling network

✓ More visitor information at arrival points

✓ Scope for better story telling approaches to communicate the heritage of the town

✓ Upgrade Slí Éala to a fully off road trail

The Plan in Action

We have set out a detailed Action Plan in the Visitor Experience Development Plan 2020-2024. Here’s a quick overview:

Resource the Partnership Organise the stakeholder group and resource the tourism role at Lough Derg.

Consolidate the Approach Align with the Tourism Masterplan for the Shannon and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (IHH).

Coordinate Lake Wide Initiatives that deliver a high quality visitor experience.

Measure Progress Measure performance and remain responsive to emerging evidence on visitor behaviour and preferences. 2.1

Provide a Great Visitor Welcome Ensuring a great welcome for visitors across the whole destination.

Enable a Choice of Accommodation Support the development of a variety of unique accommodation options to meet visitor needs.

Facilitate Slow Travel Make it easy for our visitors to explore Lough Derg sustainably by developing services along the slow travel network.

Offer Great Food Enhance the visitor experience with high quality, locally produced food on and around Lough Derg.

Killaloe/Ballina Destination Hub A natural playground with fresh perspectives on this iconic Shannon crossing; the perfect base to get active in nature

Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) and Connected Destination

Villages Explore Inis Cealtra, a 6th century holy island connected across lake waters to a necklace of historic lakeside villages and harbours.

Portumna Destination Hub Uncover Irish history through a connected network of woodland, water and mountain trails, extending from Portumna’s historic core to nearby villages and monastic settlements.

Nenagh Gateway Town A bustling market town steeped in heritage, with a great reputation for food, compelling stories and a great welcome to the Lough Derg region at Nenagh’s Historic Quarter.

Develop a Distinctive Digital presence Update and maintain a distinctive Lough Derg digital presence.

Ensure Cohesive Communication Work with national and local bodies to coordinate communication and ensure cohesive messaging.

Partnership Support marketing actions of tourism businesses.

Be Market Ready Work together and promote market-ready offers, packages and itineraries.