Fáilte Ireland authority meets in Mayo

FÁILTE Ireland’s chairperson, Ruth Andrews, together with the senior management team and the entire authority (board) of Fáilte Ireland, gathered in Westport House for the organisation’s quarterly authority meeting.

A number of businesses and local authority representatives from Mayo were invited to brief the authority members on their season to date and their future business plans. These included Kevin Kelly, chief executive, and Anna Connor, tourism officer, Mayo County Council; Michael Lennon, Westport Woods Hotel and co-chair of Clew Bay DEDP; Chris McCarthy, Achill Tourism and co-chair of Clew Bay DEDP; Barry O’Connor, chief executive, Westport Estate; Seán Carolan, Southwest Mayo Development Company and Old Irish Goat Centre; Sinead Cahalan, Inishturk development officer, and Catherine O’Grady Powers, Glen Keen Farm.

Fáilte Ireland’s recent research conducted to mark the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way shows that the Wild Atlantic Way drives €3 billion in revenue per year and a key focus for the future will be to continue to highlight the tourism offering in Mayo and encourage visitors to stay longer and explore the wealth of activities right across the destination.

Fáilte Ireland’s authority members also had the opportunity to see first-hand the heritage attraction at Westport Estate, which was awarded €20.2 million investment under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth for Heritage and Cultural Attractions in 2021, as part of an overall €75 million investment plan by the Hughes family to transform Westport Estate into a world-class tourism destination and visitor attraction which will benefit the overall region.