St. Patrick Centre lands coach coup

St. Patrick Centre lands coach coup

14 March 2013

THE St. Patrick Centre has signed a major deal with one of Ireland’s leading coach tour operators.

The Downpatrick visitor centre has joined forces with Irish Day Tours which will ferry tourists from Dublin to the area seven days a week.

The first visitors are due to arrive later this month and last week 12 drivers from the Dublin-based company drove the new route and read tour notes provided by the Centre Director, Dr. Tim Campbell.

Visitors from Dublin will make their way to Downpatrick via Newry, Warrenpoint, the Mournes and Dundrum Castle and when in the county town will also visit Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s Grave.

Dr. Campbell said the tour guides were really impressed with the new route and the stories in this part of the world which really add to the tourist experience.

“They were fascinated with the Ross Memorial in Rostrevor for example, because Col Ross burnt down the White House after eating breakfast President Madison left behind. The drivers also thought the Mournes were amazing,” he continued.

Dr. Campbell said the tie up with the Dublin coach tour operator provides a much-needed boost for Downpatrick’s tourism and comes on the back of many months of promotion and negotiation. He also paid tribute to Mr. John Carson, the chairman of the Downpatrick visitor centre.

“John has been throwing himself into this role with incredible enthusiasm and brings great business experience to the Centre which now stands as an example of cost control and efficiency.

“We have a new positive relationship with Down Council and have been growing our business with initiatives like this to make the future of the Saint Patrick Centre more financially secure.”

Mr. Carson said the Centre has been more active than ever before, represented at trade shows and events, most of which have been sponsored by Tourism Ireland.

He added: “The deal with Irish Day Tours is going to be a very significant move and has the potential to more than double the 240 or so coaches the Centre welcomed last year.”