New video launched as part of Bord Fáilte's new midlands branding

This is the new video launched this morning as part of the unveiling of ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ – Fáilte Ireland’s new tourism brand for the midlands, including Westmeath. 

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is inteded to encourage visitors to get ‘active in nature’ and explore the region’s natural assets in a bid to boost tourism and drive visitor growth across parts of Westmeath and the Midlands region. 

According to Bord Fáilte, the brand elements including the name, logo and what the brand stands for were developed following extensive research with consumers in Ireland, US, UK, Germany and France.

Over 10,000 consumers were interviewed in the process giving Fáilte Ireland great insight and confidence that Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands has the potential to be both appealing and motivating to visitors.

What consumers were attracted to about the new brand is that it will bring to life the Midlands' rich natural assets including its many lakes, walkways and blueways. It will also leverage a growing tourism trend for soft activities by encouraging visitors to be ‘active in nature’ and to explore the region off the beaten tracks through a range of activities including walking, food, cycling, fishing, and boating routes.

The River Shannon will be a central focus of the brand with a Shannon Master Plan currently being developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Waterways Ireland to drive tourism opportunities both on and off the water, and in the towns surrounding it. 

Another asset for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands will be the Beara Breifne Way, which spans the whole region, and where a compelling walking and trail experience will be developed to international standards. The Activation Master Plan will see a number of towns along the route identified as walking hubs to support this ambition and drive visitors into nearby areas.

A series of food networks and trails will also be developed as part of the new brand.

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands will cover the ‘heart’ of the country, from Leitrim down to East Clare and extending through Longford, Roscommon, East Galway, as well as parts of Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary and Offaly.

A map of the new brand area is attached.

The new brand will complement Fáilte Ireland’s other key brands - the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Dublin.