Making Tracks in Laois
"Making Tracks", a new low-carbon, slow tourism enterprise, has opened in Ballybrophy, Co. Laois, offering a visitor experience that includes glamping, horse-drawn wagon tours, and an Irish country house hostel.
The project was awarded €250,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition fund. This project will enhance the visitor experience and help to drive tourism across Co. Laois and the wider region.
Opened by wood-craft restorer Eoin Reardon, the project involved the restoration of the former Ballybrophy House into an Irish Country House Hostel adjacent to the Ballybrophy train station, construction of 5 glamping units, and the development of horse-drawn wagon experiences throughout south Laois.
Accessibility and inclusivity were central to the project, with the development of universally accessible showers, pathways, and site access to ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors.
Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, said:
"This project is a perfect example of how Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme is enhancing the tourism offering and creating new opportunities in destinations across the Midlands. By delivering unique, low-carbon experiences and quality accommodation, it strengthens the region’s appeal for both domestic and international visitors."
Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across eight counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat.
Posted: