Businesses help to develop ‘Castles and Conquests’ visitor experience plan
The Norman story in New Ross and the Hook Peninsula is set to be brought to life through Fáilte Ireland’s long-term ‘Castles and Conquests’ tourism plan for Ireland’s Ancient East.
With a rich Norman heritage, the New Ross and Hook Peninsula area is identified to have the potential to evolve as a strong cluster of attractions that can draw international visitors.
Local tourism businesses from New Ross and the Hook Peninsula attended a workshop at The Brandon House Hotel in New Ross today to consult on developing the Norman story in the area to connect experiences which will drive increased visitors to this part of Ireland’s Ancient East.
This work will feed into the Castles and Conquests tourism plan, which local tourism businesses and stakeholders are working closely on, and will play a key role in extending the season and increasing dwell time in the area.
Castles and Conquests is one of the key Ireland’s Ancient East Visitor Experience Development Plans currently underway and has been created to develop brilliant visitor experiences in the region so they are motivating and appealing to international markets.
Speaking about the workshop, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland, Jenny De Saulles said:
“The Norman heritage in Wexford is a true gem in the Ireland’s Ancient East offering. It is hugely appealing to our core international markets and, in order to encourage them to visit this part of Wexford and stay in the area for longer, we need to ensure that we can offer a really compelling visitor experience in terms of storytelling and bringing the area’s rich history to life – key elements of the Ireland’s Ancient East brand.
“Visitor numbers to Wexford are already on a strong footing through the brand, and the long-term Castles and Conquests plan will help to bring even more visitors here. Thanks to all the local businesses who contributed to the plan - we will continue to work alongside the industry to improve visitor experiences across the region.”
Today’s workshop is the first in a series of sessions taking place across the Ireland’s Ancient East region as part of the Castles and Conquests visitor Experience Development plan over the coming months.
Tourism businesses and organisations who attended the worship today include:
• Brandon House Hotel and Solas Croi Spa
• Colclough Gardens
• Creacon Wellness Retreat
• Dunbrody Abbey and Visitor Centre
• Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience
• Duncannon Beach Holiday Park
• Fort Conan Hotel
• Gallivanting Tours
• Heritage Tours Wexford
• Hook Rural Tourism
• Irish American Festival
• Kilmokea House & Gardens
• Loftus Hall
• OPW
• Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
• Wexford County Council
• Wexford Local Development Ltd
Ireland’s Ancient East
Ireland’s Ancient East has been developed by Fáilte Ireland as a branded visitor experience encompassing the rich heritage and cultural assets that Ireland has to offer in the midlands/eastern half of the country.
Fáilte Ireland’s goal is to make Ireland’s Ancient East the most personally engaging cultural destination in Europe by harnessing our living culture, lush landscapes and hidden history, opening it up for everyone. When we achieve this, we support sustained economic growth and community wellbeing whilst valuing our heritage, history and environment.
The Ireland’s Ancient East visitor experience is based on Ireland’s rich built, natural and cultural legacy, made accessible and delivered through storytelling and interpretation at key historical sites throughout the region.
A series of themes (or Signature Stories) across Ireland’s Ancient East have been created and these stories are shaping the experiences we wish to develop to meet our visitors’ expectations. They include:
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Tales of Two Worlds
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Castles and Conquests
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Ancient Ireland
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Vikings
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The Sport of Kings
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High Kings and Heroes
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Maritime Gateway
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Sacred Ireland
Further details on the Ireland’s Ancient East Brand can be found at: www.irelandsancienteast.com and
www.failteireland.ie/irelandsancienteast .
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