Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border Destination and Experience Development Plan

Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border Destination and Experience Development Plan

Failte Ireland, in partnership with a range of local stakeholders, is developing a Destination & Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border area. This will be a five-year tourism destination plan for Cavan, Leitrim and North Roscommon as part of the development of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands region and will also complement initiatives emanating from development plans within neighbouring destinations, in particular along the coast.  

The USSEB DEDP sits within and will integrate with the overarching framework of the Regional Tourism Strategy (RTS) for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, in particular, the following five strategic objectives:  

  • Strategic Objective 1: Raise awareness and recognition of the region and brand among domestic and international visitors and increase the duration of visitor stays, particularly within the domestic market  

  • Strategic Objective 2: Enhance the range and quality of our visitor experiences to underpin the Hidden Heartland’s brand proposition, leveraging the natural and cultural assets of the region in a sustainable way with a focus on ecotourism     

  • Strategic Objective 3: Grow the economic impact of tourism and create jobs in local tourism by supporting the tourism industry (private, public and community sectors) to develop its capacity and capability.     

  • Strategic Objective 4: Establish the region as one of the leading regenerative tourism destinations in Europe with nature and community at its heart     

  • Strategic Objective 5: Build a committed industry and stakeholder coalition to guide and co-ordinate the sustainable development of destinations across the region.

Current Status

The draft Plan is out for public consultation from Wednesday 23rd October to 21st November 2024. Please see the official notice below regarding the Public Consultation, and where the draft Plan and associated documents can be viewed on-line and in-person during this period.

In accordance with Article 13(1)(b) of the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, as amended by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, notice is hereby given that Fáilte Ireland has prepared:

  • Draft  Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border area;
  • Associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report of the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Plan, in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, as amended; and
  • Associated Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Statement, pursuant to Article 6 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.
A copy of the Draft Plan, associated SEA Environmental Report and associated AA Natura Impact Statement are available for public inspection from 23th October to 21st November 2024:
  • At the following locations in counties Cavan, Leitrim and Roscommon
    • Blacklion Tourist Office, The Market House, Tuam, Blacklion, Co. Cavan 
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00-17:00; Fri 9:00-16:00; Closed weekends & bank holiday Mondays
  • Johnston Central Library, Farnham Centre, Farnham St, Cavan H12 A3T1
Opening hours: Mon 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:15; Tues 10:00 - 20:30; Weds 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:15; Thurs 10:00 - 20:30; Fri: 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:15; Sat 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:15 (closed Saturdays of bank holiday weekends)
  • Visitor Centre, Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon F52 PY66
Opening hours: Weds-Sun 10:00-17:00
  • Manorhamilton Library, Main St, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Opening hours: Tues 12:00-19:00; Weds-Fri 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00; Sat 10:00-13:00 (closed Saturdays of bank holiday weekends)
  • Mohill Library, Castle St, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, N41 HP29
Opening hours: Tues 12:00-19:00; Weds-Friday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00; Sat 10:00-13:00 (closed Saturdays of bank holiday weekends)
  • Roscommon County Library, Abbey Street, Roscommon, F42 RP49
Opening hours: Tues 13:00-20:00; Weds 10:00-13:00; Thurs 13:00-20:00; Fri & Sat 14:00-17:00 (closed Saturdays of bank holiday weekends)

And, in Dublin at
  • Fáilte Ireland Head Office, Áras Fáilte, 88-95 Amiens St, North Wall, D01 WR86
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 08:00-17:00

A written submission or observation with respect to the Draft Plan and/or associated SEA Environmental Report and/or associated AA Natura Impact Statement made to Fáilte Ireland within the timeframe referred to above will be taken into consideration before the finalisation of the Plan and associated assessments.

Written submissions or observations should be marked “Draft Destination and Experience Development Plan”, and submitted to:
Dr Sarah McCarthy, Fáilte Ireland, Market Square, Commons, Mullingar, County Westmeath, N91 PW95
Submissions or observations can also be made within the timeframe referred to above by email to dedp_uppershannon@failteireland.ie and titled “Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border area