Republic Of Ireland’s First ‘Aire De Service’ To Be Established In County Limerick

Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, will officially unveil the ‘Aire De Service’, the brainchild of local tour guide Anthony Sheehy, on Tuesday next.

Limerick County Council, in conjunction with the local community, has provided the service point as part of its development of the EUR5.66m Askeaton Pool And Leisure Centre. The service facility is estimated to have cost EUR5k to develop.

‘Aires De Services’ are already a common feature in towns and villages across mainland Europe and the United Kingdom but are virtually unheard of in Ireland.

"By developing this facility, the people of Askeaton have tapped into a form of tourism that is becoming increasingly popular", explained Councillor Kevin Sheahan.

The Askeaton native explained that more and more people, particularly Europeans, were moving away from budget package holidays and opting to go on self-drive holidays. He added that the benefits for the town in providing the service point would help establish the town as a centre for tourism in West Limerick.

He continued, "Communities that provide the service points claim that their presence leads to an increase in tourism activity. We expect that this situation will be repeated in Askeaton as motorhome users that avail of the service will, in turn, support the local shops and restaurants."

Councillor Sheahan said that the locating of the motor home service point close to the Tourist Information Point at Askeaton Civic Trust House would help showcase the town’s many tourist attractions.

"People embarking on motorhome or self-drive holidays do so with the express intention of dictating their own holiday itinerary. Therefore, the provision of the country’s first Aire De Service in Askeaton is likely to open up the area’s attractions to tourists. They include the Franciscan Friary, Desmond Castle and the Aughinish Alumina Nature Trail", concluded the Cathaoirleach.

The Askeaton ‘Aire De Service’ will officially be unveiled at 11am on Tuesday, 19th February 2008.

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:
- Cllr. Kevin Sheahan, Chairperson of Limerick County Council (087-2926333) is available for interview and further comment.
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
media@dunphypr.com
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)