Four Fermanagh residents have recently completed a programme which will allow them to work as tour guides in the area.
Jerome O'Loughlin, Belleek; Charlotte Wilson, Florencecourt; Mary Burke, Derrylin; and Ian Hutchinson, Tempo; were among 21 participants who completed a tour guide training programme. It was organised by Cavan Monaghan Rural Development and delivered by Fáilte Ireland.
The successful participants will have an opportunity to be awarded a Fáilte Ireland 'Cavan, Fermanagh, Monaghan Local Tour Guide' badges. This will enable the successful participants to access insurance as a local tour guide and to be promoted through the tourism marketing bodies north and south.
The course was delivered over two nights a week over nine weeks and the assessment was conducted over two Saturdays. One these assessment days involved a coach tour around the three counties, with each of the participants taking their 10-15 minute slot on the microphone with an overview of their chosen place of interest.
Overall, there was a very positive outlook from all participants about the prospects of tourism in the Border counties.
The course organiser John Toland, Tourism Development Officer, Cavan Monaghan Rural Development Association explained: "The course was a success in that 21 participants have learnt a lot about the three counties in which they live as neighbours and have come to realise that there are significant opportunities for the development of tourism guiding."
"The participants summed up their feelings about the course by highlighting that there is a lot more to tour guiding than history. Its about providing a visitor with overview of an area's geology, archaeology, heritage, flora/fauna, geography, folklore and the people."
Most of the participants are examining the possibilities of providing guiding services in their area, and some are already making plans to establish their guiding service in the coming months. Some in particular are further on than others.
For instance, Jerome O'Loughlin from Belleek has set up his own Ecotours business.
