Kells and Trim visitor centres in line for Failte Ireland funds

Two Meath projects are in line for a significant funding boost if an application by Meath Tourism and Meath County Council to Failte Ireland is successful. Failte Ireland has moved away from promoting individual counties and its marketing strategy now focuses on promoting tourism destinations, including the Boyne Valley, where it is working with the authorities in Meath and Louth to develop a tourist trail. Meath has many tourist attractions in the Boyne Valley region and has applied for capital funding from Failte Ireland to develop the Kells Heritage Centre and the Trim Visitor Centre into modern, interactive tourist facilities. Martello Media was engaged to put together proposals on how the two centres could be developed into a more modern offering. Kells Heritage Centre is to be reinvented as the Book of Kells Centre to capitalise on the town's links with the world famous manuscript. The centre is located in the town's former courthouse and has been closed for approximately 18 months. It was in need of modernisation and works to repair the roof and bring the building up to the required standard are nearing completion. The centre was not economically sustainable which was another contributing factor to its closure. When it was open, the centre attracted approximately 12,000 to 15,000 visitors a year though not all of these were tourists, and would include local people using the cafe. Meath County Council's director of economic development and innovation, Kevin Stewart, said they are hoping that the Kells Centre, when redeveloped, could link in with Trinity College, Dublin, where 440,000 people view the Book of Kells each year. He said the Book of Kells link had been underexploited in Meath and that there is a ready-made market there with the Trinity visitors. Even if 10 per cent went on to visit Kells, he said it would be a huge boost to the town. Mr Stewart said that the Kells Heritage Centre was an excellent facility but people expect more from visitor centres today and want them to be interactive. Regarding their application, Mr Stewart said Failte Ireland had been very positive and that its proposal fits in with Failte Ireland's strategy. "We are hoping to attract significant funding. If everything we have included is approved, it would amount of funding of approximately €1m," said Mr Stewart. He added that, at the same time, they have to be realistic but did feel that funding of €750,000 would be justified and that this is what they are aiming for. The development of tourist facilities at Trim Town Hall has also formed part of the funding application. At present, 50,000-60,000 tourists visit Trim Castle each year and Meath Tourism is hoping to keep these visitors longer in Trim and offer them more facilities. As well as King John's Castle and Trim's Norman links, the centre would also focus on the town's links with Hamilton and Swift. It is hoped that, if funding is secured, the Trim Visitor Centre can be developed into a modern facility that would tell the whole story of Trim. Trim Town Hall is home to many local productions throughout the year and part of the proposal would see these community facilities retained and upgraded. While the council has longterm plans to develop a theatre at the former Church of Ireland school on High Street, this is subject to funding and is unlikely to proceed in the short term. Meath County Council and Meath Tourism's application is currently being considered by Failte Ireland and Mr Stewart said the council is very hopeful of securing funding for both projects. If funding is secured, the next stage would be to prepare detailed designs for both centres.