Pictured are Michael Carty from Sligo County Council, Grainne O’Connor from Cavan County Council, Martina O’Neill from Fermanagh District Council and Paul Kirkpatrick from Leitrim County Council.

FOUR county council areas, under the banner of the Border Uplands Project, have joined forces in order to showcase their world-class tourism offering to people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Border Uplands Project is a joint venture between ICBAN, Fermanagh District Council and the County Councils of Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo which will create much needed outdoor access, recreational and amenity infrastructure in the scenic uplands of the region.

The Project, with a total budget of over €3.1m, is funded under the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme and managed by the Special European Union’s Programme Body (SEUPB).

The council areas of Fermanagh, Sligo, Cavan and Leitrim will embark upon a joint effort to communicate their geo-tourism offering to holidaymakers in order to increase visitor numbers and interest in the Counties.

Explained Una Collier from Fermanagh District Council: “The natural beauty of these four areas and their distinctive geology and bio-diversity provides us with a unique tourism opportunity that has huge potential and real stand-out.

“The variety and quality of the attractions and places of interest in each county is what makes them special and must-see destinations for holidaymakers. As they already have mature and growing hospitality sectors plus great shopping districts, busy local food scenes and countless events that continually draw people to them every year – they are each a force to be reckoned with in their own right.”

The four counties feature visitor attractions like the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in Fermanagh and the Burren Park in Cavan and natural wonders like Glenade Lake, with its many activities, and one of the largest and most important megalithic sites in Europe, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in Sligo

Una continued: “The region has it all – ancient burial sites, hidden gems, a rich cultural and arts scene, globally recognised visitor attractions, and with a programme of exciting events and festivals taking place every month there are hundreds of reasons to visit.

“The outdoor offering in the region is phenomenal, bursting with forest parks and stunning woodland, walking and bike trails, a huge range of water-based activities and countless caravan parks and camp sites that give tourists an option whatever their reason for travelling is.

“Our continuing efforts and cross-border co-operation will help to strengthen and develop the region as a world class tourism destination allowing us to stay ahead of the game and keep things fresh and interesting in an ever-changing sector.”

For further information on each county and for details on great places to stay, log onto www.thisiscavan.ie, www.fermanaghlakelands.com, www.leitrimtourism.com, and www.sligotourism.ie.