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Councillors Pete Byrne and Killian Feehan believe there has been major progress on the development of an inclusive tourism strategy from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. A public campaign was run by the SDLP back in 2023 to try to ensure that the Council’s tourism strategy included the entire District, and to have the area’s tourism offering included as part of Ireland’s Ancient East.
After opposition to a previous draft strategy which marketed the entirety of the Newry Mourne and Down District under a “Visit Mourne” destination brand, Council officers have now brought forward a new 2024-2029 tourism strategy which is anticipated will be brought before Council SP&R committee in Q2 2024.
Slieve Gullion Councillor Pete Byrne said “SDLP councillors have fought long and hard for an inclusive tourism strategy for our District, and I am glad that after a number of years of discussions, the council has now responded with a strategy that includes every part of our District. As part of the campaign, we held a number of public meetings and engagements with local groups to ensure that South Armagh had a place at the heart of the tourism strategy. Council have now listened, which is a great win for the people I represent.
“You simply could not have a comprehensive tourism strategy for this area without including places like South Armagh. Council’s new strategy also provides us with a springboard to become part of Ireland’s Ancient East, a flagship international tourism initiative marketed by Tourism Ireland that looks at history in this area over hundreds of years, celebrating Ireland’s myths and legends and presenting them alongside the modern and vibrant Ireland we live in today.”
Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan welcomed the revised strategy from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Cllr Feehan said "Between the two counties of Armagh and Down, we boast the resting place of Brian Boru in Armagh City, Cú Chulainn’s stomping ground in the Ring of Gullion, and St. Patrick’s resting place in Downpatrick. This is incredible history, the envy of anywhere on this island, right on our doorstep and we need to make the most of that when highlighting what we have to offer and attracting visitors to this area, with the subsequent boost for our local economy and businesses.
“When this strategy comes into effect, the SDLP will continue working with the Irish Government, Tourism Ireland, the NI Tourist Board and the Council to renew our bid to have this part of our island included in the Ireland’s Ancient East destination marketing brand.
“We have seen how tourism boomed on the back of the rebranded Wild Atlantic Way. Ireland’s Ancient East is a globally tested marketing brand - bringing it north of the border would be a game changer for our entire region.
“We are undoubtedly a part of Ireland’s Ancient East. It’s time we made that official so that we can seize the clear opportunities in terms of jobs, investment, and a major boost for our local economy.”
Cllr Byrne concluded "The new proposed strategy meets key SDLP requests for District-wide inclusion, and delivers brand positioning which will strengthen the case for the inclusion of counties Armagh and Down in the Ireland’s Ancient East destination marketing brand."
