THE LONG-LIST of 45 towns and villages from across the country that is being considered by Fáilte Ireland for the 2013 Tourism Towns Award has been announced.

Now in its second year, the award is designed to recognise Irish towns and villages where the local community goes “the extra mile to enhance their appeal to tourists”. The top ten towns each receive €1,000 with the eventual winner receiving a further €10,000, accompanied by marketing and development supports from Fáilte Ireland.

The top ten Highly Commended Tourism Towns will be announced at the National Tidy Towns Awards later in the year, and the overall winner to be announced in November.

Last year, the small fishing village of Portmagee in County Kerry received the honour. A community-led working group was subsequently formed in the town, which developed a three year plan focused on improving the overall visitor experience even further.

Patricia Kennedy, of the Tourism Town Committee with Portmagee, said the award has helped boost the tourism prospects of the town. “The local community have been hugely positive since the win and were delighted, humbled and proud with achieving this recognition. Everyone knew that this award wasn’t just for Portmagee as a tourism destination it was an award for the commitment and dedication of the whole community to a top class visitor experience.”

Now in its second year, the award will continue to focus on how participating towns have developed their local area in the following key tourism areas:

• Sense of Place – how the town tells its own unique story to visitors, what’s special about it, and what distinguishes it from other towns
• Local Involvement – how the local community works together to provide an authentic visitor experience
• Tourism Products Available – what the town has to offer visitors
• Development and promotion of the town – how the town takes a unified approach to marketing and developing the town into a “tourism town”

The Tourism Towns long-list:

TOWN	COUNTY
Clonegal	Co. Carlow
Ennis	Co. Clare
Kilrush	Co. Clare
Kilkee	Co. Clare
Mountshannon	Co. Clare
Tuamgraney	Co. Clare
Cobh	Co. Cork
Kinsale	Co. Cork
Inishannon	Co. Cork
Youghal	Co. Cork
Skibbereen	Co. Cork
Millstreet	Co. Cork
Clonakilty	Co. Cork
Castletownroche	Co. Cork (North)
Rathbarry	Co. Cork (West)
Letterkenny	Co. Donegal
Doochary	Co. Donegal
Raphoe	Co. Donegal
Dalkey	Co. Dublin
Listowel	Co. Kerry
Kenmare	Co. Kerry
Tralee	Co. Kerry
Portmagee	Co. Kerry
Inistioge	Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny	Kilkenny
Portlaoise	Co. Laois
Galbally	Co. Limerick
Abbeyshrule	Co. Longford
Drogheda	Co. Louth
Dundalk	Co. Louth
Westport	Co. Mayo
Mulranny	Co. Mayo
Murrisk	Co. Mayo
Beal an Mhuirthead	Co. Mayo
Castlebar	Co. Mayo
Moynalty	Co. Meath
Trim	Co. Meath
Glaslough	Co. Monaghan
Cadamstown	Co. Offaly
Castlecoote	Co. Roscommon
Rossadrehid	Co. Tipperary
Cashel	Co. Tipperary
Dungarvan	Co. Waterford
Ballymacarby	Co. Waterford
Lismore	Co. Waterford

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