COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, March 14, 2022
QUESTION NO. 16
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the Chief Executive to detail his plans for Tourism Recovery in our County following the lifting of Covid restrictions and will he make a statement?
REPLY:
South Dublin County Council continues to work to improve the tourism potential of South Dublin County and has delivered a number of offerings to date whilst continuing to develop other opportunities. Work is progressing on developing the physical infrastructure across the County needed to facilitate the recovery, and growth of the tourism industry across the County.
The Council sought the services of a consultant to work on Interpretative Planning and, Facilitation of an Exhibition of South Dublin’s Heritage as part of a visitor experience in a new Tallaght Heritage Centre recently. Tender evaluations are currently underway. It is hoped to have a consultant appointed by April. A site for the centre has been identified in the centre of Tallaght Town Centre.
South Dublin County Council continues to progress work in relation to the designation of Lucan as a Destination Town by Fáilte Ireland. The recent creation of a tourism product development plan will help the tourism and hospitality sector in Lucan and environs to attract more visitors to the town. As part of this, the Council is pursuing an interest in the Old School House in Lucan Village which could act as a bike hire and tourist information hub.
In terms of connecting South Dublin County to the increasing number of Greenways in the country, the Council is a member of a working group with Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, the OPW and Waterways Ireland pursuing the development of a longer-term circular canal route, which will link the Royal and Grand Canals via Lucan. The Council has received funding of €1.4m from Department of Transport, with the rest of the funding coming from SDCC, to progress works on the Grand Canal Greenway from the 12th Lock to Hazelhatch. Site investigation works are currently underway at this location. The council is working with Offaly and Kildare County Councils, and Waterways Ireland to ensure a continuous link from South Dublin to Shannon Harbour. Works on the Dodder Greenway are progressing with three new bridges constructed. This route links Bohernabreena Reservoir with Rathfarnham village and Bushy Park.
The Council is progressing the hospitality, food, retail and tourism project at the courtyards at Rathfarnham Castle with a capital budget agreed and in place. Market sentiment research is currently being undertaken.
The Tallaght ‘chapter’ of the South Dublin County Heritage Walking Trail app will be launched in St Maelruin’s church in Tallaght village on 08/03/22. The trail brings the user along 19 sites of social, cultural and heritage interest. The audio and text within the app are available in four languages (English, Irish, French and German) and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Goggle Play Store. The Clondalkin ‘chapter’ is also available on the same app.
The Council and Fáilte Ireland recently launched visitor interpretation enhancements at the Round Tower Visitor Centre, Clondalkin. The co-funded project places a strong focus on telling new stories about monastic life and the Round Towers of Ireland using a range of media including a free downloadable multi-lingual audio guide available in 5 languages – English, Irish, French, German and Spanish, interactive touchscreens, and printed interpretative panels, making a visit to the centre a much more immersive experience for all ages. The addition of a heated outdoor space and opportunities to take the perfect #towerselfie add further value for the visitor.
Following the success of the trial ‘urban picnic’ outdoor market in Corkagh Park last Autumn, the Council is considering developing two new markets for the summer of 2022 and it is hoped to issue tenders for market operators soon.
The evaluation of tenders of the construction of the north stand at Tallaght Stadium were completed recently and it is expected contractors will be on site within the next few months. In the meantime, the Council is preparing tender documents for the proposed naming rights and sponsorship opportunities at the stadium.
Since 2018 the Council has operated the Tourism Event and Festival Grant scheme which makes funding available to businesses and community groups across South Dublin County to support key priority areas such as cultural, food, sports and activity-based tourism aimed at growing the visitor economy. The aim is to fund innovative events/festivals that will be supported by local businesses and community groups, and which add value to our tourism product. The budget allocation for the scheme is currently €40,000 and the scheme for 2022 will be launch later in March.
How the streetscape looks plays an important part in attracting visitors to our towns and villages. The council developed the shopfront grant scheme to improve the appearance of independently owned shops fronting public streets, making our streets and villages more aesthetically pleasing to both residents and visitors. The 2022 scheme was launched in February and the County Promotion Unit is currently accepting applications from eligible businesses. More information on the scheme and how to apply can be found here https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/business/enterprise/business-support/shop-front-grant/shop-front-grant.html
The tourism, hospitality and creative sector have been among the worst affected sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic with tourism, museums, galleries and visitor experience businesses closed for lengthy periods. Consumer research undertaken by Fáilte Ireland during the pandemic has shown that the public and visitors remain interested in our key urban centres, but anxieties regarding personal safety continue. Despite recent removal of restrictions, some parts of the tourism and hospitality sector are still not fully operational. It is in this context that Fáilte Ireland continue to provide step-by-step guidance through their customised support hub — featuring expert insights, advice on support schemes and more. These supports are designed to help those operating within the tourism sector understand and adjust to the extreme challenges they are facing. The Council continue to work closely with Fáilte Ireland on various initiatives.
Planning permission for the Dublin Mountain Visitor Centre at Montpelier Hill was granted by An Board Pleanála in June 2020. The visitor centre will comprise a dedicated interpretative exhibition and educational facility as well as a café and shop, a rambler’s lounge and toilets. There will be enhanced access to the site with increased car parking and public transport, road improvements and the construction of a new footpath to the site. The proposal will also deliver improved quality and quantity of walks and trails for people of all ages and abilities incorporating an iconic tree-top walkway/bridge from Montpelier Hill into Massy’s Wood. Legal proceedings in relation to the project is currently before the Supreme Court.
The Council has been a member of the Dublin Mountains Partnership (DMP) since it was formed in 2008. The role of the DMP has been to provide and manage sustainable recreation in the Dublin Mountains on public / state lands. Through the DMP the Council continues to explore the issues and identify the opportunities associated with facilitating the recreational enjoyment of the Dublin Mountains whilst looking after their special qualities.
A food strategy is due to be launch later in 2022, and food and culinary tourism has been identified as opportunities for the County.