Possibilities for aires campervan facilities in Mayo towns and villages

THE possibilities for developing aires facilities in Mayo for campervans are being explored.

A council-led delegation have gone on a fact-finding trip to two facilities to help inform any future developments in the county.

They visited facilities in Portumna, Co. Galway, and Graiguenamanagh in Co. Kilkenny.

With one million motorhomes between the UK, France and Ireland, this is a tourism sector that has huge potential for towns and villages around the county, Westport-based Councillor Peter Flynn has said.

Speaking on the visits to gain an insight into aires, he said the location in Graiguenamanagh was particularly interesting as it was driven entirely by a small local voluntary community group, supported by Leader and Kilkenny County Council.

He explained: “This small town now has 70 campervans parked up nearly every night over the summer with occupancy dropping to approximately 30% over the off peak months.

“This has driven a huge increase in business in their town, with people spending on average well over €100 per campervan for every over night.”

In Portumna, on a wet, miserable morning, there were still 10 campervans in situ. While a small distance from the town centre, the site is close to the lake with everything you need while on a campervan holiday, he said.

Commented Councillor Flynn: “I strongly believe there are many small towns and villages in Mayo who could create something similar. The capital outlay isn't massive if a suitable site was identified.

“While the locations we visited had 20 and 70 berths there would be nothing to stop a community setting up a location to cater for five to 10 camper vans.”