Fine Gael General Election candidate Pa O’Driscoll in Doneraile Park.
Tourism has enormous potential to grow in North Cork, according to Fine Gael General Election candidate Pa O’Driscoll, who was speaking after the latest Fáilte Ireland report showed that Doneraile Park was the 7th most visited free attraction in Ireland, with 490,000 people visiting in 2018. O’Driscoll told The Mallow Star that, “there is great potential for the development of the tourism industry in North Cork. The official opening of Doneraile Court last month will only add to the attraction of Doneraile Park for visitors. The restoration of Annesgrove Gardens and the future development of Mallow Castle and the neighbouring grounds show that there are attractions in North Cork that can be used for the marketing or North Cork as a tourist destination.”
O’Driscoll went on to say that, “there is further potential in towns like Buttevant with its rich medieval history, and in the development of a Blueway on the Blackwater, as well as cycling and walking routes.”
“The potential for tourism can only be realised if there are enough services, particularly accommo-dation. While we have some excellent accom-modation providers, there is a need to build this tourism service. The impact of Brexit will also be felt in the tourism industry, and future budgets will have to take into consideration the supports that can be provided by government to the hospitality industry,” he said.