Developing the River Shannon for tourism will see towns like Carrick-On-Shannon thrive.
Leitrim County engineer Robin McNaughton has lived in the town of Carrick-On-Shannon for fifteen years. He believes Carrick will benefit hugely from Bord Fáilte grants to make improvements to the River Shannon.
In Carrick-On-Shannon there are plans to improve facilities along the quay as the traditional commercial traffic has been replaced by boats, pleasure cruisers, yachting and rowing. Improving both sides of the quay will enable the hiring of cruisers by holidaymakers.
Robin McNaughton hopes Carrick will become one of the principal towns on the Shannon. While there is light industry in the county,
Tourism is of vital importance to County Leitrim.
As has been seen with the fishing he believes the people of Carrick will embrace tourism and ensure the area flourishes.
The people are naturally friendly, they're hopeful and they’re looking forward to the future and they work hard.
Also enthusiastic about the prospects for the River Shannon is Dermot O'Clery. Since early 1962 he has been engaged by Bord Fáilte to survey the river and lakes and to make recommendations on the measures which should be taken for future growth of holiday traffic. His report gives an idea of the cost of putting a reasonable amount of amenities on the Shannon.
People using the Shannon for tourism need to be safe so clear navigation markers, indications and mapping are required. The recommendations made in his final report are being acted on by Bord Fáilte.
Dermot O'Clery feels the Grand Canal stretch from Ringsend in Dublin City to the River Shannon at Shannon Harbour has potential for tourism. However at present, navigation of the Grand Canal,
Falls a bit short of what we would like.
He believes on the banks of the Shannon hospitality and entertainment businesses should evolve organically rather than be established specifically for tourism.
This episode of 'Broadsheet’ was broadcast on 13 August 1963. The reporter is PP O’Reilly. Parts of the footage shown here are mute.
