Forty five of Monaghan’s tourism providers met last week in Castleblayney for a networking event and work-shop to gain an understanding of the importance of selling Monaghan to the national and international tourist markets; to learn how to grow tourism through networking; and to hear how developing specific themes will attract more visitors to Monaghan. This master class in growing tourism was provided by Monaghan County Council and Fáilte Ireland who invited representatives from Monaghan’s accommodation and attraction sectors to hear Margaret Ryan, a specialist in international  tourism consumer trends, outline how Monaghan’s tourism providers can target visitors from the US, France, Germany, Great Britain and domestic markets.

The event which was held in the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney on Thursday 30th June started at 9.30a.m and after hearing from Martin Donnelly, Client Services Officer, Fáilte Ireland; the attendees were given a master-class in meeting consumer needs by expert in the field, Margaret Ryan: speed networking sessions then took place where accommodation providers had an opportunity to link with those offering attractions such as sporting, leisure, heritage and other activities;   This proved most interesting for the attendees with some of the accommodation providers stating that, although there were few activities in their immediate  area, they were able to link with those who provide different activities for tourists and offer a mobile service bringing the activities  to any location in County Monaghan e.g. Irish Country Quads, AWOL Paintball, Mullaghmore Equestrian Centre.

Speaking after the meeting Dympna Condra, Tourism Officer, Monaghan County Council, said “County Monaghan is a fantastic holiday destination with its unspoiled landscapes, wildlife, heritage, beautiful scenery extensive choice of accommodation and activities to suit all visitor needs.   The event today is just one of the initiatives from Monaghan County Council and Fáilte Ireland to help tourism providers showcase what is on offer in Monaghan.   We were delighted that such a large number of tourism providers attended this master-class on how to grow tourism and I was also very heartened at how successful the networking element of the day was; with accommodation providers linking with activity based providers in order to offer wider choice for visitors to Monaghan”.

Ms Condra also took the opportunity offered by the event to announce details of the new Monaghan Tourism APP which is now available to download free of charge to iPhones/smartphones from the APP store or it can be scanned from a QR code on www.monaghantourism.com.


Some interesting facts given to the Monaghan Tourism Providers included: the UK delivers almost of 50% of all overseas visitors to Ireland. With France Germany and the US being specifically targeted as key potential markets for Ireland: almost three out of four US holidaymakers are visiting Ireland for the first time:  Wanting to escape from life and work for a holiday they desire to learn about history, cuisine, languages, art and culture and they want uniqueness.  Some of what the US & Canadian Market love about Ireland include the greenness of the countryside; the Irish People; the pubs; the shamrock, Ballads, Folk Songs and Poems; Castles and Golf.

French and German tourists cite quality of service, good food, good value and comfort as high on their priority list for a holiday. They are interested in both relaxation time and activities including culture-related; visiting monuments, museums, exhibitions and they also love festivals.  The three dominant criteria that the French consider are;  best value for money; the offer of multi-activities; the lack of constraints such as visas, vaccinations and long flights. Like the US and Canadian visitors the French like culture, tradition and music.

Visitors from Great Britain see Ireland as year-round holiday destination and equate us with Guinness, greenery, friendly people, cosy pubs, hospitality, traditions; Riverdance; Fr. Ted: and U2.

Martin Donnelly of Fáilte Ireland said “Everyone in this industry must be customer focussed in their efforts to develop a product offering that will have the best possible chance of competing in the market place.  I have been heartened by the excellent turnout today and I know from speaking to those who attended, that it has served as a timely insight into consumer buying patterns and their very high expectations when choosing their destination within Ireland.  One of the many positive outcomes of the event was the realisation by the tourism providers of the advantages of partnering with other products in the county, so as to present as exciting a proposition as possible to the consumer.  We know how important the internet is to consumers in researching what destination within Ireland they will travel to, so we must understand what the consumer is looking for and present what Monaghan has to offer, packaged in line with those expectations on the internet.”
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A mini-exhibition was also part of the Monaghan Tourism / Fáilte Ireland networking event giving the attendees the opportunity to showcase what is on offer in Monaghan:  Exhibitors included Ski Muckno: Tanagh Outdoor Centre;   A Healthy Choices Spa & Clinic Nuremore Hotel;  Glencarn Hotel;  Shirley Arms Hotel; Concra Wood Golf Club; Irish Country Quads  and Alice’s Loft

Michelle Forrester from the Tanagh Centre, understanding the value of showcasing what they have to offer to other Monaghan tourism providers, used the opportunity of the networking event to invite those attending to a morning’s activities on August 16th   in Tanagh Centre to familiarise them with what is on offer.

Pictured Left L-R:  is Grace Branyan and Michelle Forester: Tanagh Outdoor Centre who showcased what Tanagh Outdoor Centre has to offer at the Monaghan Tourism Networking Seminar in Castleblaney. (Picture by Jimmy Walsh)



Pictured L-R: at the recent Monaghan Tourism Networking seminar and Exhibition Grace are Herffernan and Martin Donnelly Fáilte Ireland: Donal McGuigan, Spoa Clinic, Julie Galholly, Nuremore Hotel and Dympna Contra, Tourism Officer, Monaghan County Council. (Picture by Jimmy Walsh)

Showcasing their products at the recent Monaghan Tourism Networking  Seminar in Castleblaney are Seamus Keenan,  Irish Country Quads, Gem Keenan, Fiona McConnell, Awol Paintball & Adventure Centre and Tony McConnell     (picture by Jimmy Walsh)