This article is from page 15 of the 2008-09-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE allocation of almost €140.000 to two historic town projects in En- nis and Kilrush will enable the town councils provide a range of tourist signage, including orientation, in- terpretive and information boards, along the designated
historic trails.
€112,760 has been allocated to the Ennis Historic ‘Town Trail and €27,080 to the Kilrush Historic Town Trail under Failte Ire- land’s Historic Towns Initiative.
Welcoming the al- location, Munister of State Tony Killeen (right) said the initiative is aimed at the develop- ment of a series of historic walking trails in up to 100 towns around the country and the grants would assist in maximising the tourism potential of Kilrush and Ennis.
“T hope that funding will enhance the overall experience of those who visit Kilrush and Ennis. Clare 1s for- tunate to possess so many important heritage sites. Therefore, we must do everything possible to make them more accessible to members of the local community and visitors to the
respective towns.”
The Historic ‘Towns Initiative forms part of the Tourism Product Development and Infrastructure sub- programme of the National Develop- ment Plan 2007-13. It is also a com- ponent of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which supports local authori-
ties and other infra- structure providers to develop facilities for RO) UONMEUG MEE KEYEIe ing and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, and ac- cess paths to areas of environmental and sce- nic interest. The funding was also welcomed by Deputy Timmy Dooley who said that the historic town trails were very popular with tourists in other parts of the country and should lead to more tourists coming to visit Clare.
“Tt will also be good news for any businesses along the trail and will help provide an extra boost to the local economies. I hope that other Clare towns will also be considered for other historic trails and I plan to raise this with Minister Cullen and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism,’ Deputy Dooley conclud- ed.