Lough Gur Visitor Centre joins Discover Limerick DAC

Lough Gur Visitor Centre joins Discover Limerick DAC established in 2022 specifically to operate and develop key tourism attractions. Limerick City and County Council, Mayor Francis Foley with Tim O’Connor, Chairman of Discover Limerick DAC, Eamonn Boland, Current Chairman of Lough Gur Committee with past Chairpersons, Tom Flynn, Tom Tierney, Aine Barry and George Finch. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Lough Gur Visitor Centre joins Discover Limerick DAC established in 2022 specifically to operate and develop key tourism attractions in Limerick

Lough Gur Visitor Centre has become a welcome addition to the portfolio of visitor attractions under the umbrella of Limerick City & County Council’s subsidiary company Discover Limerick DAC.

The company established in 2022, also operates King John’s Castle. At a celebration in Lough Gur to mark the important occasion Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Councillor Francis Foley said: “Lough Gur Development as a local community organisation have done tremendous work in this area. Over the last decade and more they have operated Lough Gur Visitor Centre, overseen the full refurbishment of this lakeview centre and added many new amenities for all to enjoy. Their work has raised the profile of this unique location year by year leading to this point today where everyone agrees that Lough Gur Visitor Centre is ready for the next phase in its long history”. 

Chairman of Lough Gur Development, Eamonn Boland thanked all involved for playing their part in the successful transition. “The community of Lough Gur and staff have brought facilities in Lough Gur a long way through determination and support from everyone involved. With Discover Limerick DAC at the helm we are sure that the site will continue to flourish in safe hands. We look forward to seeing Lough Gur Visitor Centre and services continue to operate in a way that is conducive to a visitor attraction located in the midst of a thriving community”.

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Guests on the day included Discover Limerick DAC Board members, Councillors, volunteers and past Chairpersons of Lough Gur Development including George Finch who, at the age of 17, was the first Chairman of the organisation over 50 years ago. Representatives from the Lough Gur community who gathered on the day voiced how happy they were to welcome Discover Limerick DAC into the heart of Lough Gur.

Gordon Daly, Director of Service, Community, Tourism and Culture said: “Tourism is a vital objective for Limerick City and County Council and the positioning now of Lough Gur within the Failte Ireland brand Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is a great opportunity to drive success into the future. “

Under the umbrella of Discover Limerick DAC, Lough Gur Visitor Centre and associated facilities will continue to interpret the wonders of this immense Limerick landscape located just 20 minutes from Limerick city.

Key attractions include a thatched visitor centre modeled on the shape of Neolithic houses. Adjoining the Visitor Centre is a limekiln top seating area and playground overlooking the expansive lake of Lough Gur. The sprawling 20 acre lakeshore park at the foot of the Visitor Centre steps makes the ideal location for picnics and walks while the welcome kiosk at the entrance point serves fresh barista woodland coffee and refreshments.

For adventurers and those with curious minds the surrounding area is home to a wide variety of globally significant archaeological monuments and historical features. Monuments are maintained and cared for by the Office of Public Works. These include stone forts, castles, wedge tombs and Ireland’s oldest and largest stone circle. According to academics, Lough Gur is the only location in Ireland that has visible evidence of every age of humankind from the beginning to modern times.

To interpret this vast area professionally trained guides deliver tours of Lough Gur Visitor Centre and the surrounding sites offering bespoke experiences ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on your level of interest and available time. At the event on March 29^th tour guides spoke about the many Limerick people who visited Lough Gur as children and now bring their own families to enjoy new and improved amenities. Lough Gur is not only for aficionados of history and archaeology it is a place for all people to enjoy the great outdoors.  Visitors are welcome to enjoy Lough Gur throughout the year.

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