The organisers of a major pike angling competition set for September on Lough Ree say they hope it can act as a catalyst to bring anglers back to the area in greater numbers.
The completion is being extended to the full body of Lough Ree for the first time this year and extra prize money will make it one of the most lucrative events in Europe this year for pike anglers.
The competition is also being supported by Fáilte Ireland, Roscommon County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland, with a team of angling journalists and presenters also being brought to the region in September.
It's hoped to attract 160 anglers to the event with 80 boats on the lake.
Vice Chairman of the Lough Ree Angling Hub Chris Scally says their hope is to showcase the region as an angling destination again.
'Our competition is the foundation of more things to come in the area.
The area was very badly affected by the closure of the ESB power station and what we're trying to do is trying to build something in the area , not only for the fishermen and the anglers, but also the community of the area , and get everyone involved in this.
I suppose with everything that's happened over the last few years with Covid and other things it's kind of affected the angling tourism in Ireland a lot .
So we're hoping that this showcases that we're still here and we still have a huge potential to offer.'
