Planning approval has been granted for the construction of a new discovery centre at the traditional source of the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river.

Cavan Belturbet Municipal District have granted Part Eight Planning Approval for the construction of a discovery centre and related amenities at the Shannon Pot and for Phase Two of Cavan Burren Park.

The Shannon Pot is part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark.

The approval now allows Cavan County Council, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, to progress the preparation of Tender Documents with a view to construction commencing at the end of 2023 or very early in 2024.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley described the approval as a “red-letter day” for tourism in Co. Cavan, particularly West Cavan but also the region.

“These two projects create a high-profile attraction for the northern end of Ireland’s hidden heartlands and as such are heavily supported by Fáilte Ireland,” said Councillor Feeley.

“They are also two key elements of the Cuilcagh Lakeslands Geopark, and will significantly increase the tourist offering within the geopark.”

The development at the Shannon Pot discovery centre will tell the story of the River Shannon, from its source in the Cuilcagh Mountains to the sea.

The building is designed to maximise the views of Cuilcagh and create a link with Cavan Burren Park, while minimising the visual impact on the landscape.

The building will be specially configured to facilitate visitors of all levels of mobility and is designed to be usable and accessible by the community when not open as a tourist attraction.

In addition to new road access, the development includes new walks to and from the Shannon Pot and a re-wilded area.

Some of the walks are slightly elevated to put the Shannon Pot into the context of the surrounding landscape.

The second element of the planning approval is to allow Phase Two of Cavan Burren Park.

This development includes alterations to the existing car park, formalising the amphitheatre at the rear of the existing visitors centre to facilitate artist performance, and other related work.

The main element will be the creation of walks through part of the Burren to allow visitors experience the megalithic field structures, and on towards a raised treetop walk to give views towards Cuilcagh, Garvagh Lake and towards the Shannon Pot.

The total budget for both projects stands at €6.5million, the bulk of which comes from Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth, a funding stream which is aimed at projects with the greatest potential in developing tourism over the coming years.

Cavan County Council are providing approximately €2 million towards the project.

“The work on this project, to date, by the team in Cavan County Council along with the outside experts has been phenomenal,” said Councillor Feeley.

“There have been two rounds of public consultation with the views of the local community shaping the project significantly.

“The entire concept is very much in keeping with the objectives of the geopark in creating a sustainable tourist project which benefits the local community.

“These are exciting times and I look forward to seeing tourists and the local community making use of these two locations in the summer of 2025.

“This project is of national importance and I was delighted to update An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, on the plans during his recent visit to County Cavan on these exciting plans.

“These are two key sites in the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark,” concluded Councillor Feeley.