Including two Clare routes in a new Fáilte Ireland scheme could transform the county’s tourism industry.
As previously reported by The Clare Herald, the Shannon Estuary Drive and the Burren Drive are the first in a series of drives to be developed adjacent to the Wild Atlantic Way with additional routes planned for later next year.
It is hoped that the Burren Drive will help reduce traffic congestion, support best practice in visitor management and present additional tourism experiences for visitors.
The Shannon Estuary Drive will see a route provided from Kilimer on the Wild Atlantic Way, onwards to Labasheeda, Kildysart, Ballynacally, Clarecastle, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Bunratty and on to Limerick and Foynes to join up again with the Wild Atlantic Way. It is being developed in conjunction with Clare County Council and Limerick City and County Council with regular progress reports being provided to Minister Patrick O’Donovan in his role as Minister for Tourism.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said “Clare is performing exceptionally well in the tourism stakes and local businesses have benefitted from the ongoing development of the Wild Atlantic Way; the retention of the 9 per cent VAT rate for the hospitality industry and, most importantly, the growth of Shannon airport as an independent entity.
“World famous attractions like the Cliffs of Moher and the Bunratty Folk Park continue to attract significant visitor numbers and, with the growth of the active holiday market, these new touring routes could transform the county’s tourism industry”.