Local Heroes campaign quickly gathering pace
Local hotelier Michael McNamara at the ideas summit in the Boyne Valley Hotel.
IT'S BEEN three weeks since the Local Heroes - Drogheda Fights Back - campaign was launched in the Barbican, and since then, much has happened in order to get as many people involved in the regeneration of the town as possible.
The Hub - an ideas and information headquarters at 106 West Street - has been open almost two weeks, with retailers, traders and members of the public dropping in to leave ideas, volunteer their time or sign up to workshop and clinics run by the team of experts.
Julie Anne Lawler is just one of the friendly faces who will greet you at the Hub, and it has been non-stop for her and the other volunteers since they opened their doors.
'We've had so many people coming in to write their ideas on the board, offer their services free of charge, or hook up with others who can help them, so it's been really positive so far,' she said. Based on the ideas generated at the ideas summit, volunteers have divided into teams looking at culture, community, communications, connectivity, tourism trade and the 3 As: attractions, amenities and activities, with mentor Noel Toolan.
'I have been so impressed with some of the ideas that have been coming in, and we will be going through them all over the next few days and see what are possible as short-term or longer term projects, 'said marketing expert Noel, who was on a tour of the town with Mayor Kevin Callan, d Hotel Manager Rory Scott and Go Ireland chief Mike Webster when he spoke to the Drogheda Independent.
Tourism is high on the agenda including creating bundled packaging day trips based on Neolithic, Military and Religion in the region.
Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig's career clinic on Thursday and Friday in the Barbican Centre also proved very popular.
