This article is from page 14 of the 2013-07-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
BORD Fáilte has refused to pay out for proper signage highlighting the tourism information point in Kilrush. That is just one of the many accusations levelled against the national tourism promotion body, who closed its two tourist offices in West Clare this year.
Instead it tendered for two private businesses to take on a Bórd Fáilte-supported Tourist Information Points, but Rebecca Brew the proprietor of Crotty’s in Kilrush who won the tender is not enamoured by the support to date.
She said that the information stand for the thousands of booklets and leaflets was inadequate and Bord Fáilte sent a plastic A4 sign to indicate where the information point was that was also inadequate.
The businesswoman added that Crotty’s was happy to provide the service and would purchase a sign “but the sad fact is we have four paid staff who are trained to provide information and we can’t get € 100 for a sign”.
Crotty’s staff were sent on information trips by the business and not by Bord Fáilte so that they could tell tourists about facilities all over Clare.
“We are doing the best in the capacity we have,” said Ms Brew.
Kilrush town councillor Tom Prendeville (FF), who has been critical of Bórd Fáilte’s support of West Clare tourism, said that he would sponsor one sign.
He criticised Bord Fáilte for closing the tourist office in Kilrush and Kilkee and insisting whoever took on the responsibility of the information point would take on all of the overheads.
He added that € 150,000 is given by Enterprise Ireland to the Dublin Horse Show every year but a € 100 for a sign in West Clare cannot be found.