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Kilmallock Cycle Hub launched on 25th April 2010

Co. Limerick Cllr Mike Houlihan, launched Ireland’s latest tourism attraction, the Kilmallock Cycle Hub, on Sunday 25th April 2010.

To celebrate the launch of the new Co. Limerick cycle hub a special cycling event has been organised to accommodate cyclists of every level from beginners and families to experienced cyclists. There are three routes on offer, "The Hub Family - 10Km Cycle’’ aimed at beginners and families, ‘The Hub Experience’ a 60Km cycle designed for regular leisure cyclists and for the cycling enthusiast "The Hub Challenge’ 120Km in length. All events will start and finish in Kilmallock.

Welcoming the new routes, Ethna Murphy Leisure Tourism Manager, Fáilte Ireland said -
“The development of this quality cycling infrastructure will ensure that all in the region are in a position to capitalise on this lucrative market, in addition to adding value to the domestic holiday experience. Holidaymakers, engaging in active pursuits in Ireland, spent more than €1 billion in 2008 with almost a million overseas visitors engaging in activities such as cycling, walking equestrian pursuits and water based activities. These were high value overseas tourists generating spend levels 40% higher than the average visitor.”

The cycle event will mark the official opening of the cycle hub in Kilmallock which consists of four loop cycle routes developed out from Kilmallock in the direction of Lough Gur, the Glen of Aherlow, Doneraile and around the Ballyhoura Mountains. This new cycling project called the Ballyhoura Cycle Routes will form part of the National Cycle Network, a network of 10 cycle hubs throughout Ireland.

The Kilmallock Cycle Hub has been developed by Limerick County Council with support from Shannon Development, Ballyhoura Fáilte, Cork and South Tipperary County Councils, and funded by Fáilte Ireland the National Tourism Development Authority through the National Development Plan 2010 – 2013. Work involved the identification of the most suitable routes, the installation of route signage, information boards and bicycle stands at a number of locations.

Commenting on the cycle routes Limerick County Council Director of Services Josephine Cotter Coughlan , said, “Limerick County Council is delighted to have been actively involved in developing these routes. Cycling tourists leave a bigger spend in an area than many other forms of tourists. Cyclists spend their money in the locality on accommodation, food and leisure. This is a golden opportunity for our tourism providers to develop their markets.”

Welcoming the very successful partnership arrangement for the project Pat Daly, Tourism and Marketing Division Manager Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Tourism Authority said, “This project has major potential to grow cycling tourism for Co Limerick. Currently 102,000 overseas visitors participate in cycling holidays in Ireland annually, generating €78m in annual revenue. There is significant opportunity to grow theses numbers along with domestic visitors to the Limerick area. This new attraction will also be a major amenity to the local community. We would encourage local accommodation providers, cycling enthusiasts and general tourism operators to get behind the initiative and exploit the opportunity to grow cycling tourism to the area”.

The new cycle hub will form part of the Shannon Region Trails Programme a Shannon Development led initiative established by the Company working with Shannon Region local authorities and other key partners to develop a series of cycling hub projects and other trails throughout the region. Other facilities already launched as part of the programme are new cycling hub projects for Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, and Doolin, Co. Clare. A new cycle hub for Birr, Co. Offaly is nearing completion and due for launch in May. These projects form part of a Shannon Region cycling network being established by Shannon Development and are linked to the national cycling network.

Full details of the routes will be available through large signboards placed at key locations along the loops. Maps and brochures will be available from Shannon Region Tourist Information Offices shortly. Click here for more details of the route. 

Pictured below (left - right):   John King Shannon Development, Clr Mike Houlihan, Phelim Macken Co.Limerick Local Sports Partnership, Cllr Mike Donegan and Anthony Coleman Limerick Co Council