On a sunny Sunday the 24^th of March in the Jameson Experience Midleton, Ring of Cork members got the exciting chance to meet and mingle with members of the Seamus Heaney Tourism Group from Northern Ireland.

Met with delicious refreshments, everyone got a seat around a series of tables and got the chance to get to know their counterparts from the North. All attendees introduced themselves and their business, which provided great insight into the current climate of the tourism industry and Ireland, both local and national.

There were many similarities between businesses in the North and South, and there was a real interest in creating networks and connections between these two groups. The session really demonstrated the potential that both areas have to develop as tourism hubs within the country, and what’s more is that both groups really got to express what their respective areas had to offer. From warm and inviting accommodations to unique and exciting adventures and experiences, there is something for absolutely everyone both in the Ring Of Cork and in the Seamus Heaney Tourism Group area.

Not only was this a brilliant opportunity to meet similar tourism businesses from the opposite end of the country, it was also a chance for Ring of Cork Members to get more familiar with one another. There was varied representation from all sectors of the tourism industry. Attendees found that there was a great deal in common between businesses in the North and South of Ireland, and there was a lot that was learned from each other.

Members from Ring Of Cork Included: Castle Farm B&B, Camden Fort Meagher, Ocean Escapes, Passage West Maritime Museum, Summerfield Lodge B&B, Midleton Park Hotel, Sunville B&B and Leahy’s Open Farm.

Visitors from the Seamus Heaney Tourism Group Included: Ballyscullion Park House, Seamus Heaney Home Place, Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-Operative Society, Dalriada Kingdom Tours, Ardtara Country House, Walsh’s Hotel, Friel’s Bar, Brendan Adams Tours, J and K Coaches, Bake House NI