Listen to what Cian McCormack got up to on the final day of Ireland by Bike
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Cian departed from Tullamore to cycle some of the Grand Canal Greenway, but first he took a spontaneous visit off to Boland's Lock Keeper house where he met Mick Scully who gave him a tour of the chateau-style building.
Wow! What a fantastic cycle on the Grand Canal. Find out more on @morningireland @RTERadio1 @LifeStyleRTE @rte @rtenews @RTENewsNow later. pic.twitter.com/ieud6rXYJo
— cian mccormack (@cian_mccormack) July 26, 2018
Mick Scully is keen to encourage more visitors to call and discover the lovely building which he describes as "a hidden gem."
Cycling on the Grand Canal. It’s the final day of ‘Ireland by bike’ on @morningireland @RTERadio1 @rtenews @rte @LifeStyleRTE ... tune in between 7 & 9. pic.twitter.com/KIkk0fwxlh
— cian mccormack (@cian_mccormack) July 27, 2018
Cian's next stop sees him visit the Mount Biscoe organic farm, where he met Margaret who runs the farm and accommodation. She believes that tourism in the midlands is not marketed correctly as a product and "is happening by default."
On the Grand Canal Greenway met John Boyle who told him all about the vision for the 131 kilometre bike trail which will run from the Grand Canal Dock to the Shannon Harbour.
He described the "massive potential" for the greenway which is currently in the "visionary stage."
Paddy Matthews of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands shared his ambition and plans for the project to attract more visitors to the midlands.
Although still in "the embryonic phase," Fáilte Ireland have heavily invested in the development of the tourism industry in the area. Paddy sees the initiative being a huge success for the local economies.
To catch up on Cian's week-long tour listen back to Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 or catch the highlights here at RTÉ.ie/Lifestyle
