Promoting sustainable tourism in Kilkenny's Lingaun Valley

The Lingaun Valley Tourism workshop, hosted by Fáilte Ireland, saw an impressive turnout with over fifty-five enthusiastic members from the tourism and local communities of Kilkenny and Tipperary meeting at the Carraig Hotel last Thursday.

During her opening address, Justine Carey, Fáilte Ireland and Manager of the Ireland’s Ancient East brand destination, highlighted the cross-border Lingaun Valley’s region’s potential for a tourism transformation, based on the Ireland’s Ancient East brand focus and the Lingaun’s on prestige heritage sites.

The wonderful history and secrets of an ancient and sacred valley in Kilkenny

Built more than 5,000 years ago by the first farmers, Knockroe Passage Tomb is part of a large collection of interconnected megalithic sites in the area, including the Kilmacoliver Stone Circle on Bawnfree Hill and the cairn on Sliabh na mBan. Other notable sites in the valley include the Killamery High Cross, which dates back to the 8th Century, Kilkieran High Crosses, Kilmacoliver Stone Circle, Carrigadoon Hillfort, Owning Portal Tomb, Lamogue Ogham Stone and the Ahenny High Crosses, which were commissioned in the 8th Century by Cerball mac Dunlaighe, the High King of Ossory at the celebrated site of the early Christian Kilclispeen Monastery.

Ms Carey told the meeting that this sustainable development could be facilitated by community-driven accommodations and attractions, working with private businesses.

The facilitators of the workshop, Bane Mullarkey, emphasised the significance of fostering sustainable tourism success through collaborative efforts from a mix of tourism providers. This collaboration results in a better experience for visitors.
The facilitators also underlined the role of communities in Irish tourism, from driving annual festivals to the relentless dedication of Tidy Towns committees.

The workshop delved into visitor research shared by Failte Ireland regarding visitor expectations and preferences. The pivotal role of overnight stays was highlighted, as an necessity to grow a sustainable visitor experience while maximising spending within the community.

“Community networks are founded on a simple principle: tourism providers collaborating to endorse each other’s offerings to visitors. There’s unmatched power in personal recommendations - visitors value suggestions for other attractions from their hosts, be it a guided walking tour or recommendations for dining and accommodation.

“This enriches the area’s narrative, enhances visitor experiences, and bolsters sustainable community tourism networks,” according to the Fáilte Ireland research.

The workshop included insights and case studies and examples showcasing successful collaborations around Ireland, such as the Burren Ecotourism and ‘Geopark’ initiative in County Clare.

The ‘speed networking’ part of event provided a platform for participants to engage and exchange thoughts on challenges and opportunities for increasing future visitor awareness and attraction for the Lingaun Valley.

Jimmy Walsh, PRO for the Lingaun Valley Tourism Group, welcomed the ideas aimed at attracting visitors while safeguarding the special natural environment. He reminded the group of the upcoming Solstice Festival at Knockroe on December 21 and encouraged attendance at what has become a wonderful and moving greeting of the sunrise on that day sacred to the ancients.

Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny Leader Partnership also emphasised the crucial importance of cooperation among all the stakeholders- national and in the Kilkenny and Tipperary region, toward as shared goal as being key to the progress of tourism Lingaun Valley.

For more information and to get involved in this community initiative see lingaunvalleytourism.ie