Exciting plans for tourism in North Mayo

An ambitious five-year strategy to develop a North Mayo tourism brand was outlined at a recent meeting of Mayo County Council's Economic and Enterprise Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

Edel Healy of Fáilte Ireland told the meeting that the Wild Mayo Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), which was officially launched in May, will cover less mature destinations in Mayo, identifying priority experiences and infrastructure needed to drive sustainable tourism within the area.

She outlined a five-year vision for Mayo as a place that attracts increased levels of international visitors, offering additional attractions, a collaborative tourism network, improved connectivity, celebration of the Irish language, interpretative experiences and an authentic, spectacular and sustainable wilderness destination.

She welcomed great input and on-the-ground feedback from many stakeholders across local industry, voluntary community groups, local development agencies and the Wild Mayo Steering Committee to the plan, which has been carried out under the stewardship of Fáilte Ireland in collaboration with Mayo County Council.

While Wild Mayo will essentially relate to North Mayo, she said that ultimately all of Mayo will be covered through three separate DEDPs, including the Clew Bay DEDP and the Inland Mayo DEDP, which will range across the east and south of the county.

Regarding the Wild Mayo DEDP, she told members: “This is about driving tourism to the northern half of the Wild Atlantic Way, covering Erris and all along the north coast to Ballina, Bonniconlon, Foxford, Straide, incorporating Lough Conn and Lough Cullen, and onto Crossmolina, Bangor Erris and back out to Geesala again.

“Looking at the opportunities here, we have wild landscapes that are off the beaten track, breathtaking scenery, areas rich in culture and a Gaeltacht heritage, vibrant towns and villages, an expansive network of adventure trails, an existing focus on stewardship and biodiversity, and active and engaged community groups.” 

She also highlighted some challenges that need to be addressed, including infrastructure and transport gaps, and new initiatives to extend off-season tourism beyond the eight weeks of summer. Other issues arising include limited culinary tourism options, cohesive networking of tourism operators, access to training, mentorship and capacity building, and the need for digitisation and online booking offerings from small businesses.

Three themes being focused on are Wild Adventure; Heritage of life, land, sea; and Mayo as a vibrant and connected destination, while six particular projects are currently in hand, targeting the Céide Coast, the Western Way and North Mayo Trails Network, the Gaeltacht, Ballina, Killala, and Building Accommodation Capacity.

The plan for the Céide Coast is to develop a 15km world class coastal trail, linked in with the Visitor Centre and on over to Downpatrick Head.

The Gaeltacht project will focus on Erris, seeking to build year-long tourism through the development of walks and trails and celebrating the Irish language through storytelling and interpretation. A tie-in with Carne Golf Links is also planned, recognising its status as an international visitor attraction with ambitious aspirations while eco and agri-tourism in Gaeltacht villages will also be promoted.

In Ballina, Ms Healy said the town is being recognised as the biggest accommodation hub for Wild Mayo, and described recent planning approved for Ballina Quay as “really exciting”, saying: “It will grow boating and water sport activity potential, as well as facilities for changing, public toilets, etc.” She added that within Ballina town itself there is a plan to develop a Cultural Quarter, based off the Clarke Museum and tying in with Belleek Woods.

As to Killala, she said: “Killala is such a beautiful village with great potential. The local community definitely know that and came up with the Tower Hub concept for a community and visitor centre, where visitors could access the huge amount of stories from Humbert and 1798 in the town and then go off and see the different sites; and we are also looking at promoting Killala Pier and right out to Ross Beach, which is really popular.” 

Ms Healy added that a cluster of ten visitor attractions within the North Mayo area is already succeeding as a tourism experience while other plans include developing water and marine tourism, leisure facilities, and media and press trips, saying that a recent visit by journalists showed that “Americans are looking for the first time for off-the-beaten-track tours around Ireland".

Director of Services Tom Gilligan thanked Ms Healy and Fáilte Ireland for all the work on the plan, describing it as “bold, inspiring, transformative and ambitious".

“This plan not only enhances Mayo’s appeal and particularly North Mayo and the whole Wild Mayo area, but you can also see that sense of pride within whole communities as locals are getting involved and having an input.” 

Acknowledging that accommodation is a challenge, he said: “We will look at this from the point of view of how we can create opportunity for communities from this and also sustainability, people coming and leaving no trace. Overall, it is great, I am delighted we have this plan now launched and are in a position to deliver on it, with thanks to Fáilte Ireland."

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.