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THE TWO TOWNS that have shown an outstanding commitment to tourism in the last year are Westport and Kinsale.
That’s according to the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Towns Awards, which today honoured the Mayo and Cork hotspots in the large and small categories respectively.
The 2014 winners held off competition from eight other towns:
- Ardmore, Co Waterford
- Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
- Glengarriff, Co Cork
- Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
- Killarney, Co Kerry
- Lismore, Co Waterford
- Portmagee, Co Kerry
In their statement on Westport, the judges praised the “energy, pride and friendliness” of locals, as well as the variety available to visitors in the town.
Minister for State for Tourism, Michael Ring, said both winners had been honoured for “putting tourism at the centre of what they do.”
Judges were impressed by the “cosmopolitan feeling” in Kinsale, as well as what they called its “beautiful scenery and narrow streets bursting with history.”
Both Westport and Kinsale will receive winning certificates and €5,000 grants, while the eight short-listed towns will get certificates of merit “to acknowledge their own impressive performances.”
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€5k is a bit on the tight side
Visited Westport in September for a weekend and was blown away by the food and hospitality, a really special part of the country.
Undoubtedly Westport has a lot going for it now with the GWR greenway pulling in the tourists. But to leave out Dingle from the list is an absolute travesty.
I’d agree about DIngle apart from the rip off prices in their restaurants.
Have to agree… Spent a long weekend in Westport last year and the people were amazing! The restaurants and pubs were top notch. Couldn’t recommend it enough. Every tourist I met couldn’t say enough good things about the place. The award is well deserved!
Certainly not cheap Tom, but Dingle is a great location with some good pubs and Murphy’s ice-cream.
Ah yes…Murphys Ice Cream….another rip off merchant if there ever was one. The price of their ice cream is ridiculous.
Kinsale is a good spot for every season
Kinvarra and Lahinch
Ah sure you just can’t beat the south
Hook head, peninsula,fethard on sea,,some lovely places around Wexford too
Kenmare!
Coolock !!!
Galway city is beautiful.
Beautiful? I wouldn’t say that. It’s a nice town to visit once maybe twice. Overrated in my opinion.
Anyone else thing Westport overrated, twee town? Tries way too hard!
Countless awards down the years and sold out hotels but your comment to bed. The destination is about so much more than the actual town too.
Muff
Seriously though a 5000 grant?? That would pay for a 3rd of an irish wedding
I like Muff
I told customers today the only good thing that came out of Longford was the road to Galway
ADARE .Co. Limerick is also very tourist friendly spot.
Oughterard … the gateway to Connemara!
Kilkee, Clare
Carlow ….
It’s time they sampled the Cavan the drumlin county a hidden gem! For starters 365 lakes, where the Shannon river starts & it’s very own Burren yes really (UNSCO World heritage site), fantastic scenery& vibrant cultural scene. Check out http://www.thisiscavan.ie
Maybe it is a hidden gem Una because there is no railway in Cavan……unfortunately and no greenways either.
Killarney is well known, where Ireland was never heard of…
ATHLONE
The poor crows must have feck all to do in these places only sit around being bored.
Inchigeela is a savage spot ! Lively out like!
I almost left out the last two letters of your town
Limerick?
5k grant is pathetic.
North Kildare
hurr the govermeant is shite! luk at dat idot der Edna HAHAHAHAHAH lik dis if no to water charge
Dey tuk err jerbs!
Back in the pile haha.
Oh believe me I really, really, really wanted to but I couldn’t find the lik button..keep up the good work.
See the w*nker with the map, “This is where the next Irish Water Protest is taking place, must make sure that I do not go there.”
I think a tourist would say he was ripped off everywhere.
Go Rathkeale!
Wherever Drone Burtons at.
have your say