The name Bréifne is a pre-Gaelic place name or population name whose territory was coextensive with the lands held by the O’Reilly and O’Rourke clans in the north west of Ireland and particularly in areas of Cavan, Leitrim and parts of Fermanagh. Bréifne is an area of Ireland with very unique landscapes and a rich culture and heritage. In recognition of these special features the local authorities in Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon, along with the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, the University of Ulster and Cavan County Enterprise Board decided to create a suite of information and promotional products, produced to an international standard, to allow people to enjoy A Different Journey around Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Sligo and Roscommon. Bréifne was founded in April 2004 to support and encourage tourism in the Northwest of Ireland and is funded by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under the Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. In view of the first phase of the programme and the quality of the work completed, the SEUPB have agreed to provide a further substantial grant of almost €400,000 for the ongoing promotion of the area in Phase II. This money will also assist the process of extending the present UNESCO Geopark designation on Cuilcagh Mountain in Fermanagh across the mountain into Co. Cavan. Additionally the project partners have agreed a further 3 year commitment to the programme. The outputs which have been created during Phase I of Bréifne are a 200 page full-colour travel-guide with details on the region’s history, landscapes, geology, flora and fauna, archaeology, famous people, hotels and accommodation, dining opportunities, special interests, placenames, detailed maps and distance charts as well as full profiles of Enniskillen, Cavan, Carrick-on-Shannon, Sligo, Boyle, Ballyconnell, Belturbet, Belleek, Blacklion and Belcoo, Manorhamilton and Dromahair. The guide is published by TSO Ireland and includes some 350 full-colour photographs by Mike Bunn, one of Ireland’s leading photographers. The production of a 26 minute broadcast quality documentary on Bréifne describes the origins of the ancient kingdom of Bréifne and provides a visual journey through the area’s unique landscapes, culture and heritage. The documentary was produced by Rob Vance who is known for his work on the RTE series ‘Secret Sites’. The film is included with the travel guide and also contains a full database of information on the region and a specially created music score. The creation of a 1200 page website ( www.breifne.ie ) and information portal on Bréifne ensures extensive information on the region is offered to the visitor. The portal contains extensive imagery, film clips and a specially created feature whereby the browser can create and download their own special interest map. The site was created by Bréifne staff specialists and the Dublin based Concept Design Group. The site details everything the visitor needs to know and more. Learn about the formation of the landscape and the history of the region and her people. Take a virtual tour through a stunning glacial valley. Study the wildlife inhabiting the unique, unspoilt environment. Visualise the ancient history of Bréifne through archaeology or engross yourself in the region’s folklore, heritage, culture, music and song. Browse the Bréifne approved accommodation listing and choose from a variety of places to stay from a lakeside B&B to a plush hotel to a slow moving barge on the Shannon -Erne canal. Visit some of the museums, art galleries, theatres and visitor centres in Bréifne. Take a trip to a coal mine and see for yourself how local men worked one of the narrowest coal seams in the Western world. Discover one of Europe’s finest show caves and explore a natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. The Bréifne area is a myriad of unspoilt panoramic views with attractions and heritage sites to suit all tastes. Plan your visit to this historic part of Ireland today. For all this and more visit www.breifne.ie or call us on + 353 (0) 49 4377237
This Week’s Digital Edition
