Tourism Officer Victoria Lee at the new Nenagh Tourist Office, which is now open to the public. PHOTO: ODHRAN DUCIE

Nenagh's new tourist office opens

Nenagh's new tourist office is now open to visitors and a warm welcome awaits from the officer in charge, Victoria Lee.

Last Wednesday, December 1, was the first day on duty for Nenagh’s dedicated tourism officer. But Victoria had commenced work long before then, laying the groundwork for her new role in a town she knows well having lived here for some time.

“There’s such a community spirit, and that’s what I like about Nenagh,” said Victoria, who hails from Kilkenny originally. With qualifications in travel and tourism, hotel and catering supervision, and hospitality management, she has worked in the tourism industry in England as well as Ireland. Now staffing the new Nenagh Tourist Office on a full-time basis, Victoria will be providing information to visitors about the town and its hinterland. She will assist visitors with bookings for the likes of entertainment events and water activities on Lough Derg, and she will give tours of the hugely impressive exhibition of photos, memorabilia and artistic creations now on display at the tourist office.

And, as Victoria points out, now is a good time for local folk to go and see the display in this latest cherished addition to the town's offering.

“A lot of the local people have donated or are in the photos, so for them it’s nice to come in and see a ‘thank you’ or ‘welcome to Nenagh’,” the new tourism officer says of the exhibition. “It’s their history that’s on the walls and it’s nice for them to come in, especially at Christmas when people have family home.”

Adding that there are plans to evolve the exhibition over time and introduce different themes for visitors to enjoy, Victoria stresses the importance of a tourist office in attracting visitors to the town and promoting local businesses and activities, especially in these difficult times of pandemic restrictions. She points to the centre’s ideal location in the old town hall, just off the town square and with Nenagh Arts Centre and Nenagh Castle in the immediate vicinity, along with Nenagh Heritage Centre and North Tipperary Geneaology Centre.

Looking forward to a busy 2022, Victoria adds that there are plenty of Christmas attractions to entice people this month, particularly the arts centre panto, while the festive tractor run through the streets of the town on December 18 is sure to draw visitors from around the country.

In the meantime, Victoria welcomes all to come and see the new tourist office, which is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.