99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the initiatives he is implementing to promote tourism in Kells, County Meath, to enhance the town’s appeal as a destination for visitors. [22820/25]
Sentiment score: 0.13
111. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the initiatives he is implementing to promote tourism in Meath and enhance the region’s appeal as a destination for visitors. [22819/25]
Sentiment score: 0.13
What initiatives are being implemented by the Minister to promote tourism in Kelly, County Meath, to enhance the town's appeal as a destination for visitors?
Sentiment score: 0.38
I thank the Minister for the response. I acknowledge the changeover of portfolios between Departments. I say to the Minister and his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, that there is a real overlap between tourism product in Kells, for example, and arts, culture and sport. For example, the Hinterland Festival of Literature and Arts happens at the end of June and includes contributions from the Kells Type Trail. I encourage the Minister to come to the festival; he would be more than welcome. We also have the Samhain Festival of Food and Culture. Our preseason soccer tournament for kids is among the biggest in Ireland. It plays a significant role in encouraging people into the town. We also have a 36-hole golf course, which is an attraction. We also have the River Blackwater. The anglers in Kells do a fantastic job of maintaining and protecting that natural resource. We also have the likes of Girley Bog, which is just outside the town, as a natural amenity. I appreciate the Minister's answer but the frustration among the community is that the town is working hard to put itself on the radar when the plans are not there to connect and draw people into the town of Kells. We must tap into the Book of Kells and the name of the town. Considerable numbers of people come to the Dublin area, for example, and there is potential to bring them on day trips to Kells. Is that immense potential being considered?
Sentiment score: 0.26
The Minister is absolutely right. We look to the monastic settlements, the round tower, the high crosses, St. Columcille's House and the Spire of Lloyd. The Minister mentioned those. There are incredible sites of historic significance. The Minister will know, and I suppose it is the point he is making, that local individuals and communities through their effort and initiative have made so much happen, including GAA, soccer and other sports clubs. We have the best handball club in Ireland, I would say. It is a sport that is often under-recognised. I draw the Minister's attention to a project supported by various Departments which taps into the type trail the Minister mentioned and the association of the Book of Kells with the creative art around type, lettering and font. It is the establishment of a printworks bringing old printers back. It would essentially be a print museum and it is hoped it will be launched and opened in the coming weeks or months. I particularly commend Mark Smith, who is a local community activist and working artist, including with the local authority and mental health organisations, on his role in that. I encourage the type of support provided so far by various Departments to continue, as well as the work with the local community in Kells, the same as in other areas, to ensure the potential that is there is realised. I invite the Minister - and will also invite the Minister, Deputy Burke - to come to Kells to see the huge potential that is there related to his role in the arts and culture and that of his colleague, the Minister of State, in sport.
Sentiment score: 0.31
No, no, no.
Sentiment score: -0.68
162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline his plans for investment at Gormanston Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17085/25]
Sentiment score: 0.04
Will the Tánaiste outline his plans for investment at Gormanston Camp?
Sentiment score: 0.00
That investment is welcome. It was welcome news in February. It is also welcome that the work is under way. It will be this time next year when it will be ready. Does the Tánaiste have an indication of when it will be operational or the numbers of people that will pass through it? I understand that it is for all units of the Defence Forces to use as a training camp. I wish to get a sense of the level of activity that might be there.
Sentiment score: 0.32
I thank the Tánaiste. As I said, it is a welcome investment. I recognise the security considerations and other considerations, but is there an opportunity for the local community to access, in some shape or form, the likes of those facilities? We recognise that there are security considerations and other considerations, but if, for example, there were a transition period during which the facilities were not being used or some arrangement could be made, is it possible that something like that could be considered? Between Gormanston and Stamullen there is a growing population and a real shortage of amenities generally. Specifically, I refer to Stamullen FC, for example, the local soccer club. This is something we have tried to raise in the past. We would like to see this very welcome investment used to its full potential, notwithstanding the security constraints.
Sentiment score: 0.37