Ever since Fáilte Ireland unveiled its latest tourist initiative, a campaign called ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ last week, there has been curiosity locally as to why Mitchelstown Caves at the foothills of the Galtee Mountains doesn’t seem to be featuring in any of the literature or media publicity to do with the initiative.

John English, owner of Mitchelstown Caves told The Avondhu that no one had been in touch from Fáilte Ireland about the cave being included yet.

"Ireland’s Ancient East is only launched a week. It’s just a case of waiting and seeing. I presume we’ll be on it when it’s up and running," he said.

The new tourist trail has been heralded as the east coast’s version of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,5000 km route from Donegal to Cork that highlights the rugged beauty of the west coast. Ireland’s Ancient East aims to mirror its success by drawing some 600,000 foreign visitors to the often by-passed east and south coasts each year. The campaign will get into flow next year following consultation with local tourism providers.

Lismore Castle, Rock of Cashel, Waterford Crystal, Reginald’s Tower and Hook Lighthouse are just some of the attractions featuring in publicity to do with the initiative since it’s launch, but where's the cave? Alex Connolly, head of communications at Fáilte Ireland however, says there’s no question of the cave being excluded.

“The key to making Ireland’s Ancient East work is to have as many attractions and sites as possible on the route and that includes the Mitchelstown Cave. When we launched to the media last week, we had a few examples of sites because we couldn’t include every one of them. The motto is the more the merrier. Beyond the cave, we are looking for everyone involved in tourism to get involved by suggesting sites and locations for Ireland’s Ancient East. Actually it’s encouraging to see that level of engagement. Ireland’s Ancient East is a 100% good news story for all and that includes the cave. We’ll be in touch with all stakeholders in the near future,” Mr Connolly said.

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