Local tourism attractions showcased at over 50s fair

Westmeath Tourism showcased the attractions of the region at the Over 50s Show which took place in the RDS recently. The show drew great crowds with over 22,000 visitors attending during the three-day event. Catering for a wide variety of needs and interests of older people, the show also included new genealogy and coin collection areas this year. The show is an ideal opportunity to promote Westmeath says Rhona Rogers of Westmeath Tourism. “Many representatives of active retired groups visit the show seeking information on places to visit and stay”. She continued: “Eight local businesses participated on the Westmeath Tourism stand over the three day event. A great variety of products including accommodation and tourist attractions from Westmeath were highlighted.” Bloomfield House Hotel and Glasson Golf Hotel attended the show as well as did Derryglad Folk Museum and Viking Boat Tours. Samples of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey were distributed by John Teeling, Chairman of Cooley Distillers PLC and promoted Locke’s Distillery Museum. Flowers picked from the gardens of Belvedere House drew admiring comments. The new initiative of the Thursday Club at Belvedere which admits people over sixty half price admission every Thursday all year round was very well received. Adding great colour to the stand was local artist and children’s author Dolores Keaveny. Her books “If I Were A Bee” and “Jenny The Little Brown Hen” were popular gifts for grandchildren. Local food products Tara Jams from Milltownpass were available on the stand. “As well as offering quality good value accommodation deals, people also want to know what there is to see and do in the local area. The central location of the county was well highlighted with many visitors commenting on the road improvements to Athlone and Mullingar,” she said. “Participation was coordinated by Co. Westmeath Tourism Ltd. As this was a joint trade stand, costs for participating businesses were kept to a minimum,”she said.