Press Release 6th December 2006
Local Industry Welcome Cavan Angling Tourism Workshop
Cavan Monaghan Rural Development (CMRD) in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board recently organised an angling tourism workshop in Baileboro, Co. Cavan. The workshop held at Skeaghvil Woodland Chalets, Skeagh, Baileboro was aimed at all tourism accommodation providers, including self-catering, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts and hoteliers. Overlooking the impressive Skeagh Lake, a lake that provides some of the best coarse and pike fishing in the Eastern Region, the half day workshop was designed to provide attendees with the most up to date information on the current trends/needs of the angling market.
The main objective of the workshop was to re-ignite an interest in angling tourism. Albeit, there has been a decline in angling visitors in recent years, angling is still considered a lucrative area for Irish Tourism and a key product for the Cavan area.
The first part of the workshop consisted of a series of talks by marketing representatives from the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, the Central Fisheries Board and presentations from well renowned fishing guides, Gerry Duffy and Marc O’Regan. A number of topics were covered including details on the role of the Regional Fisheries Board, current marketing activities undertaken by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and angling guides, an overview of the role of an angling guide and examples of best practice in the provision of angling tourist accommodation.
After lunch, the practical side of the workshop was held at nearby Lough Skeagh. This part of the workshop consisted of fishing guides, Marc O’Regan, Pat McLaughlin, Gerry Duffy and Mark Corps, Angling Advisor for the Central Fisheries Board demonstrating the most popular pike fishing techniques as well as informing attendees on the practices fishing guides must adhere to in order to ensure angling visitors get the most out of their fishing trip.
The workshop was a great success and provided an ideal forum for accommodation providers to meet qualified fishing guides with a view to working together to offer anglers competitive packages that encompass all aspects of an angling offer, namely, good fishing, angler friendly accommodation (dry rooms, bait rooms, packed lunches etc), nearby entertainment and qualified fishing guides.
A further workshop is planned for the Monaghan area in January (details to be confirmed). The workshop is free of charge and includes a light lunch. Places are limited and if interested please contact CMRD on 049-4338477 and/or e-mail tourism@cmrd.ie for more information. Booking is essential.
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‘Part-financed by the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, and managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Border Action'
Media enquiries: Marketing Angling Co-ordinator, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, 087 2746127
Notes to Editor:
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is a statutory authority whose function is to conserve, develop, protect, manage and promote the inland fisheries and sea angling resources within its jurisdiction. The Region extends from the border in Northern Ireland to South of the Wexford coast and includes all catchments which enter the sea between these boundaries.