Boyne Valley Styled Map
Boyne Valley Drive – Enjoy at your leisure
A new €220,000 driving route for counties Meath and Louth was today launched by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD. The Boyne Valley Drive, 225 kilometres in length and taking in 22 historic sites along the way, is a collaborative project between Fáilte Ireland and the local authorities in Meath and Louth which seeks to revitalise the region and promote it as a must-visit destination for overseas tourists. [See pdf Driving Route Map]
The new route will promote the area as one of world renowned heritage with some of the best examples to be found anywhere. The sites featured along the way include Bru Na Boinne (the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Newgrange Knowth Dowth), Trim Castle, Monasterboice, Slane Castle and Mellifont Abbey (For a full list, see the notes to editor).
Speaking at the launch at the Battle of the Boyne site, Minister Varadkar said –
“The Boyne Valley features international sites like Newgrange, alongside some hidden gems. This new route brings all these sites together into a single package which can be promoted within Ireland and around the world.
“A significant number of tourists are interested in culture and heritage on their travels, and tours like this are particularly popular with British visitors. This route will place the Boyne Valley firmly on their list of options. The challenge now for us is to take this asset and sell it well.”
Phase one of the project, which included signage along the route, is almost complete and plans are underway for the next phase regarding the layout and design of the sites to ensure a cohesive look to the drive.
A full promotional programme both at home and overseas is also gaining momentum. The local Head of Operations for Fáilte Ireland, Kevin Moriarty emphasised:
“This new route - with its strong brand and emphasis on our cultural heritage – gives tourism in the north east a compelling hook to lure the extra visitors and revenue that this region is well placed to deliver.”
An ongoing programme of promotion in the main overseas markets is already underway and the Drive is already receiving visits and interest from overseas operators. A number of tourism businesses from the Boyne Valley and from the local heritage attractions have already taken part in promotional visits to the Netherlands and Germany where the Boyne Valley Drive has featured in Tour Operator Publications for the 2013 season.
This year, the Boyne Valley destination will also feature in extensive promotions in the Great Britain market targeting an identified “culturally curious” market segment which has particular potential for the region.
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ENDS
For further information please contact:
Alex Connolly – Head of Communications
086 7966320/01 8847884
Louise Tolerton - Press Officer
086 6086578/01 8847135
Note for Editor
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 185,000 people and generates almost €5.7 billion in revenue a year.
Further information on the Boyne Valley Drive
Project Information
The Boyne Valley Drive is a joint collaboration between Fáilte Ireland, Meath Local Authority and Louth Local Authority with a Capital Grant spend of €220,000 (National Development Fund). 3 groups have been set up to oversee the project to date and to oversee its future developments – which included OPW, state agencies and an advisory Group drawn from the local Tourism Businesses.
Other funding in the area from the development fund has been -;
- Kells Heritage Centre & Drogheda Tholsel Boyne Valley Interpretation Project
€243,000
- IPB Funded Festivals for The Gathering €49,000 (Drogheda Samba Festival, Blue Jean Festival, Swift Satire, Tara High Kings Festival)
- Fáilte Ireland funded festivals €35,000 (Loughcrew Opera, Navan Choral Festival, Spirits of Meath Halloween festival, Kells Hay Festival, Tattersall’s International Horse Trials & Country Fair, Trim Swift Festival)
Those involved in the project include:
• Tourism Advisory Group
• Tourism businesses and support businesses in the Boyne Valley.
• Louth Local Authority
• Meath Local Authority
• Office of Public Works
• Louth and Meath Partnership Companies (Leader Companies)
Sites included along the Boyne Valley drive are –
1. Trim castle
2. Bective Abbey
3. Hill of Tara
4. Skyrne Church
5. Ardmulchan
6. Bru Na Boinne (Newgrange Knowth Dowth)
7. Duleek
8. Battle of Boyne
9. Millmount
10. Beaulieu
11. Monasterboice
12. Old Mellifont
13. Townley Hall
14. Francis Ledwidge Museum
15. Hill of Slane
16. Slane castle
17. Donaghmore
18. Donagaghpatrick
19. Kells Monastic Site
20. Spire of Lloyd
21. Patricksyown viewing Pont
22. Loughcrew
Local Gathering Update
Current number of Gatherings for:
• Meath = 82
• Louth = 101
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