In late 2018, Breffni Integrated CLG, in association with 13 local development companies and thirteen local authorities (Including Cavan County Council) along the entire Shannon and Erne navigation, commissioned SLR Consulting and Alan Hill Tourism Development to investigate the feasibility of developing an internationally attractive, iconic Pilgrim Way along the Shannon Erne waterway. The area under consideration embraces a 20km wide corridor from Kerry-Clare-Limerick on the Shannon Estuary northwards through the Shannon lakes to the Shannon-Erne Waterway through to the Erne system in Cavan-Fermanagh-Donegal.
The aim is to develop an iconic international ‘Pilgrim Way’ based on the rich early Christian and Viking heritage of the Early Medieval period in Ireland. Well known ecclesiastical sites include Scattery Island, Iniscealtra (Holy Island, Clare), Clonmacnoise (Offaly), Quaker Island (Lough Ree), Boyle Abbey (Roscommon), Devenish Island (Lough Erne) and the iconic pilgrimage site at Lough Derg (St Patrick’s) in Donegal, among others. Many more, lesser known sites are included in the overall analysis for a total of more than 100 sites in total including St. Mogues Island & Church, Templeport, Bawnboy, County Cavan
A series of four Consultative Workshops on the feasibility of an iconic Pilgrim Way are planned for early February 2019, with two planned in Northern section covering Leitrim, Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal. Select the venue most suitable to you:
Upper Shannon & Erne, 6.30 to 9.00pm, Wednesday 6th February, The Bush Hotel, Central Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim
Lough Erne & Donegal, 6.30 to 9.00pm, Thursday 7th February, The Enniskillen Hotel, 72 Forthhill St., Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
These workshops main aim is to engage with local communities, heritage groups, heritage guides, local authorities, statutory heritage managers/tourism, transport and activity providers, tourism businesses, heritage and other voluntary groups. This feasibility study would like your input on the key heritage and conservation issues, potential sustainable ‘ways’ to link these special sites (walk, cycle, boat, bus transport) and visitor management (accommodation, food, guidance, transport, parking) solutions.
A number of other issues will be examined in the course of each of these workshops and your participation is vital in reviewing the feasibility of developing this proposed Pilgrim Way along the Shannon-Erne.
You are invited to participate in one of these workshops and please invite others who may be interested in participating.
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Cooperation Project FUNDED BY THE IRISH GOVERNMENT UNDER THE LEADER PROGRAMME 2014-2020.