Push continues for area to be included in Ireland's Ancient East

Representatives from the SDLP party have met with Tourism Ireland and the NI Tourist Board in relation to advancing the campaign to bring Armagh and Down into the Ireland’s Ancient East destination marketing brand.

A motion calling for the move was brought forward by Slieve Gullion Councillor Pete Byrne at Newry Mourne and Down District Council in November 2022, receiving unanimous support from all parties. Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Council have also backed the move and both Councils have written to the Irish Government calling for Ireland’s Ancient East to be extended.

Councillor Byrne said “I was pleased to be able to meet with Tourism Ireland and the NI Tourist Board to progress this campaign. My own area of South Armagh has one of the most authentic tourism offerings of anywhere on this island. Through a combination of outstanding natural beauty and heritage, we have a vibrant and compelling tourism product in this area, and it was encouraging to hear our tourism bodies recognise that. Our local area can and should be competing on the international stage. The best way to make that happen is for Ireland’s Ancient East to be extended to include Armagh and Down."

The party believe that Ireland’s Ancient East is a globally tested marketing brand and that bringing it north of the border would be a game changer for the entire region.

SDLP member Killian Feehan talked of the next stage in progressing the campaign "The next step for us is to seek a meeting with Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, to progress the issue. Having the support of both ABC and NMD Councils is important because it demonstrates the appetite for our campaign on this side of the border, and the positive engagement we had with both Tourism Ireland & the NI Tourist Board adds further strength to the campaign. In terms of progressing the campaign further, we need to engage with Fáilte Ireland, who hold operational responsibility for Ireland’s Ancient East. Our objective is to secure support from the Department of Tourism, and by extension Fáilte Ireland, in securing the inclusion of Armagh and Down in the Ireland’s Ancient East brand."

Ireland's Ancient East currently covers 12 counties from Cork to Monaghan but not Dublin. The inclusion of Armagh and Down and potentially Antrim would mean that the entire east coast minus Dublin and west Cork would make up the brand.