Shannon Development is launching a major tourism marketing drive to promote three new North Tipperary looped cycling routes which were launched by Sports Council Chairman Ossie Kilkenny over the weekend (Saturday 16th May ’09) with a family cycle from Banba Sq Nenagh to Dromineer.
Speaking at the event John King, Assistant Chief Executive, Shannon Development said, "Shannon Development’s tourism marketing team has links to over 40 million potential clients in the UK and Europe alone. Now that the cycle routes are in place, we will actively promote them to key tourism trade operators in the UK and throughout Europe, encouraging them to include these picturesque cycle routes in holiday packages to their clients. Currently 102,000 overseas visitors participate in cycling holidays annually, generating €78 million in annual revenue. We believe that there is significant opportunity to grow theses numbers along with domestic visitors to the North Tipperary area. This new attraction will also be a major amenity to the local community. We would encourage local accommodation providers, cycling enthusiasts and general tourism operators to get behind the initiative and exploit the opportunity to grow cycling tourism to the area."
The North Tipperary cycle routes are a result of a partnership formed between Shannon Development, with North Tipperary County Council, North Tipperary Sports Partnership and Nenagh Town Council, to develop Nenagh and North Tipperary as a cycling hub for the local communities and visitors to enjoy. The new cycling trails vary in distance from 11km to 67km and have been designed to suit all levels from beginners to enthusiasts.
The new North Tipperary cycle routes form part of The Shannon Region Trails Programme a Shannon Development led initiative to develop a series of cycling, walking, and water (canoeing and surfing) tails throughout the Shannon Region. On the cycling side Shannon Development, in conjunction with local authorities and others, has completed the North Tipperary cycle hub and work is near completion on similar cycle hubs at Doolin, Co. Clare and Kilmallock, Co Limerick. These will form part of a Shannon Region cycling network being established by Shannon Development and are linked to the national cycling network.
Funding for the newly launched North Tipperary cycle project was provided by Shannon Development, North Tipperary County Council and Nenagh Town Council, including a contribution from Mayor Virginia O’ Dowd from her Mayor’s Project Fund. Commenting on the cycle routes the Mayor said that she is delighted to have been actively involved in developing these routes and looks forward to Nenagh and North Tipperary being developed as a green tourist destination. "As a form of tourism, cycling leaves a bigger spend in an area than any other forms of tourism. Cyclists spend their money in the locality on accommodation, food and leisure. This is a golden opportunity for our tourism providers to develop their markets" she said. Mayor O’ Dowd urged motorists to be extra careful on our roads, especially minor roads, which will now see an increase in cycling activity. …
Speaking about the cycle routes, Michael Molamphy, cycling enthusiast, who has been actively involved in developing the project, said that cycling routes will benefit both locals and visitors alike. Tourists will enjoy the planned, clearly signed and mapped routes that allow access to the Lough Derg shoreline and the unique lakeside villages and associated facilities. All routes radiate from the start/finish point in Banba Square, Nenagh, and take the cyclist along a newly created cycle path on Dromin Rd and across the N52 bypass from where it is possible to navigate to Garrykennedy, Dromineer, Terryglass and Cloughjordan. or those arriving in North Tipperary by lake on a cruiser the cycle routes also connect the harbours in the lakeside village.
Full details of the routes are available through large map boards which have been placed at 11 locations along the loops. Maps and brochures are currently being printed and will be available from the launch date of May 16th. For further information on the North Tipperary cycle routes visit www.shannonregiontrails.ie
Welcoming the project Mayor of North Tipperary County Council Dr. Joe Hennessy said that North Tipperary County Council is delighted to be involved in this initiative which will greatly add to the tourism product in North Tipperary, particularly in Nenagh and the surrounding areas.
Highlighting the importance of the event Elaine Cullinan, Sports Co-ordinator with the North Tipperary Sports Partnership said that NTSP were delighted to be involved with this project and commented on the fact that cycling is a low impact, aerobic workout that provides a number of health benefits and can be continued for life without a major time commitment.
Note to Editor About the new North Tipperary cycle routes:
For locals wishing to cycle for leisure or fitness the varying distances will allow beginners to build up a fitness regime as the routes ranging from 11Km to 67Km with numerous shorter alternatives. Each loop is numbered, while the shortcuts have a number and a letter. Loop 1 goes from Nenagh to Terryglass along the lakeshore through Dromineer, Skehana, and Coolbawn and on to Ballinderry before arriving in the award-winning village. The return journey is along very quiet inland roads through Roran, Tombricane, Finnoe, Carney and Knigh before arriving back in Nenagh. The full journey is 62Km (just under 40 miles) but along the way there are three shortcuts at route 1a (11Km), 1b (28Km) and 1c (46Km).
Garrykennedy forms the focal point of route 2 which continues along some of the quietest roads in the region to Castlelough before looping around Portroe and back to Nenagh, a total journey of 30Km. Route 3 (67Km) takes the cyclist to Cloughjordan, home of Ireland’s first eco village and on to The Pike, and Ballingarry towards Aglish before joining up with route 1 and the return journey to Nenagh. A shorter alternative (46Km) is provided from Modreeny to Borrisokane.
Pictured at the launch in Nenagh last Saturday (16th May ’09) of the new North Tipperary cycling hub are (l-r): Tom Harrington, Deputy Mayor North Tipperary, John King, Assistant Chief Executive, Shannon Development; Donal Purcell, Town Clerk, Nenagh Town Council; Attracta Lyons, North Tipperary County Council; Lorraine Treacy, Nenagh Town Council; Ossie Kilkenny, Chairman, Irish Sports Council.; Bernie Leonard, Shannon Development Tourism Officer, North Tipperary and South Offaly; Flan Quilligan, Tourism Projects Executive, Shannon Development; Elaine Cullinan, North Tipperary Sports Partnership; Paddy Heffernan, Town Manager, Nenagh Town Council, and Virginia O’ Dowd, Mayor of Nenagh.
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +353 61 710259
Mobile: +353 86-2371510
Fax: 061 363180
E-mail: Click Here