Denise Canavan

Lough Ree has some of the finest fisheries in Europe. When we brought 14 countries from all over Europe here for the world championships in 2016 , the visitors couldn’t get over the stock of pike in the lake and that was one of the reasons why I asked Fáilte Ireland to row in behind LoughRee Lanesborough Angling Hub and help promote our area at some of the top fishing trade shows in Europe . The answer was very positive - We got support from both Longford and Roscommon county councils and in 2017 Alan F Broderick headed off with help to Clermont Ferrand in France. In subsequent years Philip Gordon and Liam Garvey Sweeney attended shows at home and abroad and 3 years ago Liam Grimes and myself went back to France . Our experiences at these shows has always been hugely positive - I remember we were mobbed with visitors in France 3 years ago so I was delighted to get these photos today of the crowds flocking again to talk to Liam and Bridget from Lough Ree Access For All at a major show in Rimini Italy this weekend . This is the type of promotion work the midlands counties need to be doing on multiple occasions every year and I am glad to see that the European Commission Just Transition Funds is adding more tourism product for our visitors all the time . We need more attractions alongside the fishing and it’s great to see more accommodation coming on board -especially in my home town of Ballyleague Renewal Lanesborough-Ballyleague Twinning Association where we have now over 30 beds for hire in the community Well done Liam and Bridget and well done VisitRoscommon and Longford Tourism for working with Failte Ireland and the Hidden Heartlands team