Belleek Village Tourism Strategy launched

The group has been working on this plan since 2021, and has created a framework to support the development of tourism for the village.

Speaking on behalf of the group at the launch on Wednesday, February 15, Teresa O’Loughlin said: “We are delighted to have this document to guide the future development of the village for tourism.

“The strategy has been borne out of consultations with the local community and other stakeholders who have been enthusiastic about the idea of bringing the heritage story of Belleek to the fore.”

This plan was developed in partnership with the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP), through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In attendance at the launch, Jim McGreevy, a committee member of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support this project, which thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep.

“Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies across Northern Ireland, and this project is a fantastic example of achieving those aims.”

Also welcoming the project, Councillor Barry McElduff, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, said: “As Chair of the Council, I was very pleased to attend the launch of the Belleek Tourism Strategy 2022-2028.

“Belleek and its surrounding area has a wealth of heritage and historical and natural assets for visitors and locals to explore. This strategy will be an important road map to guide further enhancement of the village and its tourism potential.

“The Council recognises the tourism potential of the Fermanagh and Omagh area and the significant contribution it makes economically and socially.

“The Council, in partnership with Tourism NI and Waterways Ireland, is developing a 10-year Visitor Experience Development Plan for tourism development across the district, and this strategy will complement this plan.

“I would like to wish Belleek Development and Heritage Group every success with their plans.”

Richard Watson, Independent Chair, LELP, added: “The launch event highlights the fact that Belleek is a village of special character, with its lakeshore location and its wealth of heritage including Belleek Pottery, battlefield sites, fine churches, graveyards, bridges and listed buildings in the town and its surrounding area.

“All of that provides a huge opportunity to build on the established tourism success of Belleek by using a strategic approach that will benefit the future development of the village, and will also help to achieve the Belleek Development and Heritage Group’s ambitions to become the first heritage village in Northern Ireland.

“Obviously, LELP wants all the work that we do to have a lasting legacy for the communities of Lough Erne.

“We are sure that the Belleek Tourism Strategy and the commitment from the local community and the supporting organisations provide an excellent platform to create significant benefits for the future.”

Teresa added: “Belleek village has a wonderful heritage story to tell, and like many rural villages, it has a wealth of untapped heritage assets with numerous stories to tell.

“Our ultimate goal is to make Belleek a heritage village, and with momentum now growing around this concept, we are excited for what the future holds for Belleek and other rural villages in celebrating the heritage story.”

The Belleek Development and Heritage Group will continue to work on this plan over the coming year.

The detailed plan can be downloaded from www.belleekdhg.co.uk; for further information on the project, email info@belleekdhg.co.uk.

Watch out too for events in the village including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Belleek Summer Regatta.

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