Chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, has stressed the importance of serious investment and in coordinating the development of a tourist trail on Cork's historic spine with Fáilte Ireland.
Having previously discussed the issue with Ireland's National Tourism Development Authority, its hoped that by highlighting attractions on it, like the Elizabeth Fort and Butter Exchange, it will help reinvigorate the county's tourism industry. Areas on the spine, such as Barrack Street, North Main Street and Shandon, have all struggled with high levels of dereliction over the years according to the EveningEcho.ie.
“There have been many, many proposals around Shandon and, regrettably, none of them have come to fruition. It hasn’t been a matter of wanting or trying. We are working with Fáilte Ireland as part of their Capital Investment Programme to look at developing something in relation to the historical spine from Shandon to Elizabeth Fort and looking at building a tourist offering around that,” says Doherty.
Cork's local authority has previously invested in the area, refurbishing the Triskel Arts and St Peter's Church, which Doherty describes as having huge potential. Ultimately, Doherty says “it is about attracting investment,” and although “Fáilte Ireland is a national tourism support agency, there are other mechanisms which we are open to to develop these offerings in the city, such as entrepreneurial money.”
