boyle local area plan 2012 - 2018 - Roscommon County Council

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PART II: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2012 – 2018 & BEYOND Chapter 5: Recreation, Leisure & Tourism 3. Roscommon was once hailed as an angler’s paradise but its reputation has been affected by a combination of limited access to the lakes and rivers, the impact of the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species, competition from other EU angling locations and lack of investment in product and marketing. 4. It is essential to safeguard, for future generations, the physical elements of the town that combine to give its unique character. Improving the town’s publicly accessible environment can bring about significant long term social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits for the town and its people. 5. Fishing is a major attraction in Boyle and the surrounding area. This area is recognised as being an angler’s paradise with several lakes and rivers within close proximity. Activities such as boating, fishing, watersports, walking, cycling, swimming and bird watching are all available in the region. The Council believes that this industry has the potential to develop further and will support further investment proposals that will expand and upgrade the tourism product on offer. The following are a number of the significant attractions and events in and around Boyle; ‣ Lough Key Forest & Activity Park Lough Key Forest and Activity Park includes some 350 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Key in close proximity to Boyle. This beautiful landscape is steeped in history with remains of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements. In the 12th Century, the area surrounding Lough Key Parkland served as a stronghold of the MacDermott Clan. After Cromwell, the lands were given over to the King family, who lived on the land for some 350 years until fire ravaged the manor home, completely destroying it in the 1950’s. The property was subsequently sold to the Government and was then managed as a forest park. Lough Key is a scenic and historical area with several interesting features. Guests can enjoy walking through more than 10 kilometers of forest walks which take you along magnificent lake shore areas, canal banks and forested areas. Photo 27: ‘The Gazebo’ in Lough Key Forest & Activity Park Photo 28: Lakeshore near car park in Lough Key Forest & Activity Park Photo 29: Cruising on the Shannon-Erne Waterway The Lough Key Experience focuses on a journey of nature and history. It takes the visitor through the nineteenth century underground servant’s tunnels up the Moylurg Viewing Tower and along Ireland's first Tree Canopy Walk. The Tree Canopy Walk is approximately 300 metres long, is constructed of timber and steel, and gently rises approximately 9 metres above the ground offering a great view of the surrounding landscape. There also is an adventure Playground in the complex, together with an adventure house for adults and children called Boda Borg. Boda Borg is an innovative Swedish concept unique to Ireland and is challenging for both adults and children. It is indoor weather independent and offers a unique challenge. Its 47 rooms contain fun filled activities, imaginative puzzles and enjoyable tasks, but no instructions! Boda Borg is open all year round for prebooked groups and is an idea activity for family and friends, school tours, youth clubs, stag and hen parties, corporate groups, sports clubs, and social organisations. ‣ Boyle River The Boyle River flows through the heart of Boyle and is a major asset to the town, with potential for increased use of the river and the riverside for recreation and business. The Boyle River is canoed regularly by members of the local community and visitors to the area. The river and riverbanks are an important part of Boyle’s identity and form an important wildlife corridor and refuge. The Boyle River flows from Lough Gara through the town of Boyle and onto Lough Key, before joining with Ireland's longest river, the River Shannon. It holds good stocks of wild brown trout, with the best pools Boyle Local Area Plan 2012-2018 Page 50
PART II: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2012 – 2018 & BEYOND Chapter 5: Recreation, Leisure & Tourism downstream of the town of Boyle, towards Lough Key. Boyle Harbour offers Shannon river cruiser holidaymakers berthing just 1km from Boyle town. Photo 30: Boyle River flowing through Boyle Town ‣ Boyle Canal & Harbour The canal and harbour, completed by Waterways Ireland in May 2001, has provided infrastructural development to meet the growing demand for mooring and boating facilities on the Shannon-Erne Waterway. The project involved a 1.3km new cut canal along with the construction of a new harbour to accommodate up to 28 boats, parking and connecting footpaths to the town. Paths of 1.3km in length on either side of the canal link the harbour with the Boyle River. This facility includes a service block providing toilets, showers and a laundry room. There are several publicly accessible boat slipways in the general area including for example; ‣ Lough Key, on the Doon Shore ‣ Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, near the harbour ‣ Cootehall, near the bridge ‣ Cootehall, at Oakport Lough ‣ Cortober, at the riverside park ‣ Drumharlow Amenity Area, accessed off the N4 between Boyle and Carrick-on-Shannon Other private sites in the area include for example The Moorings, Knockvicar and Gilboys Marina, Knockvicar. From Boyle Harbour it is possible to navigate to the sea at Limerick, to the sea at New Ross in County Wexford (via the Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation) or to Dublin along the Grand Canal. The harbour is accessed via a local road off the N61 National Route (to car park) or via a pedestrian walkway directly off the N61. A walkway runs from the Harbour north-eastwards along the length of the Canal. This recreational facility is in the ownership of Waterways Ireland. ‣ King House One of the key tourist attractions in Boyle is King House which consists of an 18 th Century Mansion and an 19 th Century Barracks. This complex accommodates an exhibition focussing on the Ancient Kingdom of Connaught, the construction and restoration of King House and the Connaught Rangers Regiment. Visitors can explore this unique architectural treasure and enjoy a range of interactive presentations that offer an enchanting view of Ireland’s heritage and culture. The exhibitions tell the story of the house, its people and the surrounding locality in an entertaining and informative manner. They focus on the world of Gaelic Ireland, the dramatic episodes in the lives of the King family, the architecture, construction and restoration of the House and the military history associated with the building. The complex is open for the seasonal months of April to September. ‣ Boyle Abbey Boyle Abbey is an impressive and well preserved Cistercian Monastery which was founded in the 12th century under the patronage of the local ruling family, the McDermott’s. Though mutilated during the 17th and 18th centuries when it was used to accommodate a military garrison, Boyle Abbey nevertheless retains its ability to impress the visitor as one of the most formidable of the early Cistercian foundations in Ireland. A restored gatehouse of 16th/17th century houses an exhibition. ‣ Arts and Theatre County Roscommon has a lot to offer the visitor with regard to Arts and the Theatre. There are a number of other non-arts buildings throughout the county that host arts events occasionally such as King House. Each year many local communities also organise events throughout County Roscommon as part of Heritage Week with the aim of building awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation 1 as well as acting as a draw for tourists. The policies and objectives contained in the Roscommon County Arts Plan 2009-2012, for the promotion of a wide variety of arts and participation in the arts in County Roscommon, are being implemented 1 http://www.heritageweek.ie Boyle Local Area Plan 2012-2018 Page 51
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boyle local area plan 2012 - 2018 - Roscommon County Council

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