Booras 15m visitor centre and facilities officially opened

A new visitor centre and facilities costing €1.5m were opened today at Lough Boora Discovery Park.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Alex White carried out the honours this morning (Monday).

Speaking at the opening Bord na Mona chairman John Horgan said the new facilities will provide an improved experience for all visitors, and help them to enjoy the full extent of Lough Boora Discovery Park.

“This significant development that we are here to launch today will support the future economic growth of not only west Offaly but the entire county and will prove to be a unique and significant attraction for local, national and international visitors,” he said.

The development of Lough Boora began in 1994, when Bord na Mona staff and representatives of the local community formed the Lough Boora Group.

The group completed a feasibility study that formed a blueprint for the subsequent development of the greater Lough Boora area, and Lough Boora Discovery Park now extends to over 2,000 hectares with a network of off-road walking and cycle routes within a perimeter of about 20km.

“Throughout the planning and building process, Bord na Mona sought to create a sense of arrival and identity for Lough Boora Discovery Park, to provide improved visitor facilities and services and to upgrade interpretation and signage throughout the whole site,” Mr Horgan said this morning.

“A key objective of this investment was to provide a sustainable development that is in keeping with the landscape. With this in mind, the building itself has a number of environmentally friendly features, including use of sustainable materials in construction, a green roof, solar energy, and an ecological waste water treatment system, amongst other things.”

Tribute was also paid today to stakeholders including Failte Ireland, Offaly County Council and all others who contributed to Lough Boora’s development over the years.