Plans are afoot to create create a high-concept eco-friendly destination in Ireland, focusing on historic Lough Derg in the West, with proponents comparing it to the kind of ‘slow tourism’ attraction that Lake Como in Italy has become.
Lough Derg, which has a historic connection to legendary Irish King Brian Boru, is also the destination of a number of pilgrimages each year. The promoters of the Lough Derg Visitor Experience Development plan want to extend the season to more of the year, but also avoid over commercialization, which Como has succeeded at.
Cooperating in the plan, which wants to draw more foreign visitors as well, are the national tourism agency Failte Ireland as well as Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries and local community development groups. The lake borders Tipperary, Limerick and Clare.
A major element of the strategy will be the focus on value-added and environmentally-friendly tourism investments ranging from accommodation assets to restaurants, cafes and outdoor leisure experiences. The importance of outdoor facilities – as evidenced by the Covid-19 pandemic – has also been noted.
