Council awards contract to study feasibility of developing recreational facilities adjacent to River Liffey
South Dublin County Council has this week awarded a contract for the development of a feasibility study and plan for the development of a Liffey Blueway. A blueway is a water path or trail that is developed with launch points, river side activities and points of interest for canoeists, paddle boarders, kayakers and other water users. The study will also make recommendations for recreational facilities in public parks adjacent to the river in order to maximise the tourism and recreation potential of this part of Dublin. The plan would aim to make the outdoors, and the hidden gem that is the Valley of the River Liffey in particular, a must see part of the visitor experience of Dublin.
Welcoming the collaborative initiative between South Dublin and Fingal County Councils, Mayor Guss O¡¯Connell of South Dublin County Council recognised the role the River Liffey and the Villages in the area can play in attracting visitors to the region.
¡°South Dublin County Council¡¯s Tourism Strategy positions the outdoors as part of the visitor experience of Dublin and is aimed at making the experience of Dublin¡¯s outdoors accessible and enjoyable for all¡± said Mayor O¡¯Connell.
¡°The rivers, parks and mountains of the County play an important role in attracting visitors to the region. Exploring sustainable interventions along the River Liffey, with its landscape and vistas which was recognised by the renowned Town Planner, Myles Wright, as one of the Jewels of Dublin, therefore has the potential to act as a destination for tourists and a great amenity for Dubliners too.¡±
The feasibility study will examine opportunities to facilitate safe, sustainable and increased access to the River Liffey for water based activities from publicly owned land and recommend river side tourist focused recreation activities. These activities would be backed up with appropriate promotion to attract visitors to the area.
Failte Ireland¡¯s wide-ranging ¡°Destination Dublin¡± report by the Grow Dublin Taskforce, launched in January 2014 outlined a series of actions to re-define and develop the tourism product in Dublin. The development of enhansed access to the River Liffey sits well with F¨¢ilte Ireland¡¯s new vision for the visitor experience of Dublin; ¡°The vibrant capital city bursting with a variety of surprising experiences-where city living thrives side by side with the natural outdoors.¡±
It is expected that a final project plan and report will be made available to the Council in 2017.