Greek visit to South Dublin
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Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Visit by Triada Ghindika Director from Evros in Greece, as part or training programme "Alternative methods of Tourism" co-funded by EU, Greek Department of Economic Development and facilitated by Rural Leader in South Dublin County Council.
Training includes a study of practise in various European areas and technology training for promotion purposes.
Speech - Deputy Mayor Colm Tyndall
Visit by Greek Delegation to Council
21st March 2003
Welcome to South Dublin County Council, we are delighted to meet with you and hopefully, give you a little insight into our Council, our administrative area and some of the initiatives we have taken in the area of tourism and promotion.
I understand that you are all involved in a Vocational Training Course in Greece with the intention of becoming involved in Tourism and alternative methods to promote it when you complete your studies.
Our County is one of four that make up the Dublin region and I believe you have visited our sister authorities during your study trip. Our County’s centre of administration is here in Tallaght, which up to ten years ago was just a village, and now is a city in the making, other villages Lucan, Clondalkin while still rural in atmosphere are also developing at a tremendous rate.
Remnants of our history are still very visible here and on a daily basis - South Dubliners can see places such as Rathfarnham Castle which is now a national monument open to the public, St. Enda’s Museum, seat of Pearse Brothers famous school. Here in Tallaght we have the Priory and St. Maelruans. - once a seat of the Archbishops of Dublin, in Clondalkin we have a monastic Roundtower in its excellent state of preservation signalling life in the 8th and 9th Century.
The Council encourages all this development but is also conscious of the need to conserve and treasure the natural amenities such as our rivers - the Liffey and Dodder We have a weir at Firhouse that represents the first water supply to the city of Dublin in 12th Century - and this is set against the backdrop of the Dublin Mountains and beautiful Glenasmole Valley.
We have substantially built on these natural amenities by constructing a high quality and award Winning Tourist Caravan Park on the Naas Road. Built in 1997- it has accommodated a total of 20,000 visitors from over 40 countries last year alone.
We strongly encourage the establishment of business in our County, and have facilitated the provision and expansion of several major hotel and conference facilities to serve not only the tourism market but our home tourists as well.
Our county’s population has increased by over 30,000 persons in the last ten years and is now up to 250,000. We have provided for our people and for our visitors both passive and active recreational facilities- we have responded to the needs of our young population- 4,000 acres of parks and open spaces, 150 playing pitches cater for sports - facilitating 800 teams and 15,000 players and members. Sports catered for include Tennis, Football, Hurling, Hockey , Athletics and we even have Baseball.
The Council’s public golf course at Grange Castle has provided in excess of 40,000 rounds to the playing public last year alone and it is proposed to extend this facility to 27 holes to cater for an ever-increasing demand, also under development at the moment is a Put and Take Fishery in one of our parks.
Staying with the water theme, we have recently announced proposals for the provision of Sports and Leisure Centres here in Tallaght and also in Clondalkin. These will provide indoor sports area, but also Swimming Pools and Changing village.
Many privately-owned recreational facilities are also available for the public- such as Spawell Sport and Leisure Centre, Citywest Hotel and Golf Complex and the several golf courses located within the County.
The County is fortunate in having the National Basketball Arena and looks forward to the completion of the Shamrock Rovers Football Stadium which is under construction here in Tallaght.
In conclusion, I would like to wish you all the very best of success in your studies and hope that you enjoyed your time in Ireland, and that you benefit from the rest of your visit to South Dublin County Council
