Motorhome site proposed beside Laois heritage centre
The proposed motorhome site would be located to the front of Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum, on land owned by Laois Co Council
A PROPOSAL for a motorhome and caravan site beside a Laois heritage attraction aims to boost tourism across a wide rural area.
Laois County Council has applied for funding to carry out a feasibility study for the development, which would be located to the front of Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum.
The council owns two parcels of land beside the museum and the large site could include space for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and general parking for tourists, as well as food facilities and a visitor centre.
At a council meeting this week, Elaine Moore from the council’s tourism section confirmed that a funding application has been made to Fáilte Ireland for a feasibility study in Donaghmore.
Councillors agreed that the site could be an ideal tourist base for the west of the county, as it is located near the Slieve Bloom Mountains, motorways and Ballybrophy railway station, as well as existing visitor attractions such as Pond Beach Resort in Errill and the Making Tracks glamping site at Ballybrophy House.
The initiative was highlighted at the May monthly meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, after Cllr John King asked the council to apply for funding for a feasibility study in Donaghmore.
He proposed that the council develop ‘this wonderful amenity and tourist attraction by developing the front field for parking, caravans and motorhomes’, together with food facilities and a tourist information centre.
Ms Moore replied that an application has been made to Fáilte Ireland for funding under the EU Just Transition Fund, to carry out a feasibility study at the location. The council is awaiting a decision.
Welcoming the response, Cllr King said he was struck by the area’s potential when he attended a recent Age Friendly event at Ballybrophy train station, followed by refreshments at the Donaghmore museum.
He said: “I was thinking about the two parcels of land there that are owned by the county council. You have the Pond Beach Resort outside Errill and the Making Tracks glamping site across from Ballybrophy train station, as well as the Donaghmore museum. We have people coming to the area, so it's our chance now to develop it.”
The Rathdowney councillor added: “Pubs are struggling. Donaghmore is a prime location and it’s very central. If we had space there for motorhomes, campervans and a caravan park, it would be the keystone to bring people to our area. It will be the icing on the cake.”
Director of services Angela McEvoy agreed, pointing out that the Donaghmore museum recently received a €200,000 heritage grant to maintain the building. She said the county council is also developing a motorhome policy for Laois through the SPC (special policy committee), which is looking at various locations across the county.
Ms McEvoy said that “a cluster of developments” is happening in the Donaghmore area, including the Making Tracks centre and the Pond Beach Resort, while “a lot of good work” has been done by the Rathdowney Town Team.
She said: “All the right things have been put in place to try and move this on.”
The proposal was supported by other councillors in the municipal district, with Cllr James Kelly describing the move as “a positive for the county”.
Cllr Kelly said: “We don't have motorhome spaces in the county and I believe we should have three or four. We have the beautiful Slieve Blooms, Donaghmore, Mountrath and other areas. We need space for motorhomes.”
District cathaoirleach Cllr Seamus McDonald from Rosenallis also fully supported the proposal, while Cllr Ollie Clooney from Durrow said he would support any development of rural Laois and the area was steeped in history.
Cllr Clooney commented: “Parking is a huge problem for these motorhomes. When you have a bit of land, why not use it?”
Borris-in-Ossory councillor Conor Bergin described the Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum as a fantastic amenity, adding: “The fantastic work that Trevor Stanley does out there is a huge part of it. He has an incredible knowledge of the history of the workhouse and of the whole area. I very much support anything that can be done to improve the facility.”
