Fáilte Ireland has approved the additional expenditure required to allow construction at the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre and Phase 2 of the Cavan Burren Park in the coming weeks. This project inclusive of planning and design was projected to cost around €7 million. However it is now, having come through tender stage at a cost of around €9million. According to Cllr John Paul Feeley, it is hoped that the visitors will be using the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre in 2025.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr Feeley stated; "We have been waiting for this last piece of the jig-saw to fall into place for some weeks now. This project can be transformative for West Cavan and create a flagship tourist attraction for the region, I look forward to visitors enjoying these new facilities in 2025 with what I hope will be a growing economic spin off in the wider region. I have seen, at first had the work of the officials of Cavan County Council, the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark Team and the architect and other consultants involved in getting this project to this stage, I want to thank them for their genuine commitment to this vital project. They have made huge efforts to take on board the views of the local community and have put a huge personal effort into the project."
Cllr Feeley continued; "The development at the Shannon Pot will thought the discovery centre 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 a 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 project is to construct Phase 2 of Cavan Burren Park. This development includes alterations to the existing carpark, 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 in the currently inaccessible area of Burren and on towards a raised 'tree-top' walk to give views towards Cuilcagh, Garvagh Lake and towards the Shannon Pot."
