Promote Lough Ree’s early Christian ruins - locals

Locals attending the Fáilte Ireland/Waterways Ireland presentation pointed out that the historical early Christian ruins on several islands on Lough Ree are the jewel in Athlone's crown when it comes to tourism and need to be promoted. Churches, monuments and early Christian settlements such as those on Rindoon near Lecarrow, Inchbofin and Inchmore would interest many tourists who come here for the Irish heritage and culture. Local historian Harmon Murtagh wondered why this historical aspect of Lough Ree hadn't been promoted more. “There's no access for the suite of historic monuments around the lake, there's no information, no storyboards. There's no Arsenal or Chelsea, but we have many Evertons or Aston Villas. But they are very difficult to access. There's also no buoys any more to land at, this makes it extremely difficult if you're not a local,†he said. He said that the ruins of stone churches and early Christian monuments were “grossly under-presented†yet were the “best product Athlone hasâ€. Ritchie O'Hara who runs Bay Sports at Hodson Bay first of all acknowledged Roscommon County Council for putting the facility in place along with Fáilte Ireland. “I'd like to echo what the esteemed historian and my friend Harmon said earlier about access to the islands on Lough Ree. Cultural tourism is a dimension that can be capitalised on,†he said. “There's two monuments in State care on two islands in Lough Ree.†He said that he had a passenger boat and if that dimension was promoted and access was available it would give the Lakelands region a “terrific edgeâ€. He added that marketing is a “huge challengeâ€. In reply, Éanna Rowe fromWaterways Ireland, said that access was the problem and that discussions would have to take place with the landowners. “The agencies will look at ownership and access and the results will feed into one of the programmes. We have 16 programmes for Lough Ree, including the development of access for a heritage trail... and interpretation.†He said that Lough Ree could link up with Clonmacnoise, while the Shannon Callows and Lough Ree could further develop its wildlife attraction programme.