Cian McCormack leaves the shores of Lough Derg and heads for Banagher, Co Offaly, with a quick stopover in Birr.
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Cian was back on his bike today as he moved further inland to the picturesque heritage town of Birr today.
The Georgian town has seen a surge in tourism as the telescope, science centre and gardens have attracted even more visitors since being included in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Day 3 of ‘Ireland by bike’ brings me to Banagher and Birr in county Offaly. Tune in to @morningireland @RTERadio1 @rtenews @RTENewsNow pic.twitter.com/XI0IweWyTM
— cian mccormack (@cian_mccormack) July 25, 2018
Cian spoke to Alicia Clements about her ancestors' family home. She shows Cian Ireland's largest treehouse which attracts lots of families to the town.
Megan Kearn of Nutmeg café employs five people full-time and eight part-time. She acknowledges the positive effect of the castle on her business as she greets lots of tourists from the US and Asia.
On his visit, Cian found out all about the town's annual Vintage Week which is now in its 50th year. Its continued success is credited to the affection and commitment of the community. This year's festival features a World War I Trench Dig at Crinkill.
The next leg of the trip brought Cian to the banks of the Shannon, to Banagher.
Local man Gerard Killilea contacted Cian to highlight how Banagher is connected to Charlotte Bronte. It’s something locals are promoting in a bid to attract more tourists.
On arrival in Banagher, Cian visited St Paul's church to meet local historian James Scully who explained the famous novelist's links to the town.
Bronte honeymooned to the town in 1854 and the town is still benefiting from her visit. Nicola Daly of Charlotte's Way B&B says her house is "steeped in history". Now in her 16th year of business, her guest accommodation continues to go from strength to strength.
Cian met Barbara Smyth of Silver Line Cruises at the second biggest marina along the river Shannon. She views the overseas market, in particular, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as her key customers.
A five-year plan has been put in place to promote Banagher as town and create a vibrant community using "the assets that exist and the resources that are there" with the commitment of the local community.
Tomorrow, Cian explores the boglands of the Midlands as he passes the halfway mark on his week-long cycle.
Listen to Ireland by Bike on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 every morning this week and catch the highlights at RTÉ.ie/Lifestyle.
