New initiative to drive forward Mullingar as a visitor destination

An impressive line up of inspirational speakers will take to the stage on Thursday, November 15, at 11am in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, for the Mullingar Destination Development Seminar. 

This event, organised by Westmeath County Council and supported by Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, aims to kick-start a new drive towards developing Mullingar as stand-out visitor destination.

The cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr John Dolan, said: “The experience of other successful areas has shown us that great things can be achieved by all stakeholders coming together.”

Award winning travel expert Pól Ó Conghaile will speak at the event on what visitors really want from a destination. 

Pól has expertise in online, broadcast and print media and an extensive knowledge of the sector, as well as an impressive list of awards and honours, including ‘Best Irish Travel Writer’ 2017 (Travel Media Awards), British Guild of Travel Writers ‘Travel Writer of the Year’ 2016, and ‘Irish Travel Writer of the Year’ 2014, 2013, 2008, and 2003-4. 

Well-known for his work with Independent.ie and Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show, Pól is also regular contributor to Ireland AM, the RTÉ Today Show, RTÉ Radio One, the BBC, Today FM, 2FM and a range of international publications, including the National Geographic Traveller and Cara Magazine.

Cillian Murphy from Loop Head Tourism will speak at the event about the success that can be achieved through working together. 

Cillian will speak from personal experience and the journey taken by his own group to reach their goals; the Loop Head Peninsula is currently the only Irish destination listed in the ‘Sustainable Destinations Global Top 100’ and has won many awards for the manner in which it has developed including; The EDEN award in 2010, ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland’ in 2013, Best Destination at Responsible Tourism in Destinations Conference, 2015 and Winner of Best Cultural Heritage Attraction at the World Responsible Tourism Awards in 2015. 

Derek Dolan will represent Fáilte Ireland at the event as manager of Ireland’s Ancient East. 

Derek stated that he looks forward to supporting the initiative: “Ireland’s Ancient East is contributing strongly to our national success in international tourism growth in recent years and Mullingar has the potential to benefit from this.”

The Irish tourism industry is now worth €8.3 billion and employs around 230,000 people.

“Mullingar has not yet seen the same level of growth that has taken place nationally,” says Úna Doris, tourism officer with Westmeath County Council, “and we aim to change that”. 

Valuable tourism attractions in the area surrounding Mullingar include Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, The Hill of Uisneach, the Royal Canal Greenway, Tullynally Castle, Fore Abbey and Kilbeggan Distillery. 

“Mullingar has a wealth of assets and services that could enable its growth as a visitor destination and visitors are happy to travel for 40 minutes or more for a high quality visitor attraction from their accommodation base”, says Una. 

“The Destination Development Seminar on the 15th aims to set the wheels in motion for reaching the potential of this region, in line with our County Tourism Strategy.” 

Brigid Manley, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, will speak about the recent success achieved in Mullingar, including the award of the Purple Flag, which highlights the entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable nightlife available in the town.

Further details on the event are available from Una Doris, by emailing una.doris@westmeathcoco.ie or by phone on 044 9338951.