Listen below to hear what Cian McCormack got up to on Day 2 of Ireland by Bike as he cycled through East Clare.
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Cian meets Paul Brook of Tuamgraney Development Association, one of the many people in East Clare who are passionate about unlocking the potential of the area.
It’s day 2 of ‘Ireland by Bike’. We’ll be hearing from Terryglass, Scarriff and Tuamgraney where Paul Brooks of the local development association was explaining how the village plans to attract tourists. After 7:30 on @morningireland @rte @rtenews @RTERadio1 pic.twitter.com/FaRg4RqTAD
— cian mccormack (@cian_mccormack) July 24, 2018
Paul explains how they are gradually developing the tourism potential of the historic site and are in the process of setting up an audio visual experience for the attraction. It's all part of the crusade "to make East Clare more attractive".
Despite missing out on the buzz of the Wild Atlantic Way, the team is optimistic about the recently launched Hidden Heartlands and hopeful that it will "lead to people discovering the middle of Ireland".
As the journey heads towards Scarriff, Mike Hogan tells Cian that the area is quite similar to the lakelands in the UK and is a hidden gem. The new tourist office will help to promote the area and increase the number of visitors.
Eoin O' Hagan left the film industry to run a tourist rhib from Scarriff marina to Holy Island. Cian gets to see first-hand how the East Clare villages are "bringing local history to life".
Holy Island is home to an array of antiquities including a round tower, high crosses, old churches and a holy well.
Eoin's belief is that "tourism is all about exporting smiles". That's exactly what Eoin aims to do on his boat trips, admitting that the tour features tall tales and stories of the Shannon - but the tales "get taller depending on who's on board".
After 8:30 on @morningireland ‘Ireland by bike’ joins Eoin O’Hagan of Derg Boat trips & Ailbhe Gerrard’s timeshare honey bees. @RTERadio1 @rtenews @RTERadio1 @RTENewsNow pic.twitter.com/aycIPqkXeB
— cian mccormack (@cian_mccormack) July 24, 2018
It's a good thing Cian works up an appetite while he is cycling because there was no shortage of food on the second day of the week-long excursion.
Trish Farrell, who set up Wild Irish Chocolates, provides "hands-on chocolate making demos" in her "secret artisan chocolate factory".
And if that hasn't satisfied Cian's sweet tooth, he also visits Brookfield Farm - an organic agricultural experience where Ailbhe Gerrard hosts an annual honey celebration.
Cian gets close and personal with the bees on the 10-acre flower meadow, where he sees the honey and hears all about Ailbhe's "Hive Share" idea, which offers visitors an immersive experience. It's "not just about honey", it's about "connecting with the joy of beekeeping".
Cian finishes his day at a busy Terryglass, where lots of people are on their cruisers. Niall Henan of Fuschia Lane Farm says he encourages people "to live like a local" to build on what is unique to the area.
In the 25 years he's been in business, the biggest challenge are the changes and shocks to the industry. He says: "You have to be resilient and innovative and also keep the customer in mind."
Listen to Day 2 of Ireland by Bike above. Tomorrow Cian heads East.
Ireland by Bike will feature on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One every day this week.
