The head of Failte Ireland is hopeful the development of the country's only national famine museum in Roscommon will draw tourists to the entire Shannonside region.
Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin officially opened the attraction at Strokestown park House on Wednesday afternoon, after an almost four million upgrade in the last 12 months.
Thousands of tourists have already attended the attraction, which is the starting point for the national famine way along the Royal canal and concludes on the quays in Dublin.
Paul Kelly is head of Fáilte Ireland and also attended the official opening this week.
He believes that while the investment in Strokestown attraction may now be complete, other areas will also feel the benefit from the influx of tourists to the region
"I think our priority is that there's been a significant level of taxpayer investment in this. We've put about 3.9 million of taxpayers money into it. We now have to leverage that, so it's not the time to start talking about more investment, it's the time to start getting the benefit out of that taxpayer investment and bringing people here to enjoy this wonderful experience and to learn about the famine".
