'Ballymahon on the map' - locals on Center Parcs impact

In the town of Ballymahon, located near the Center Parcs holiday resort in Longford, locals have reported a significant transformation in the area over the past seven years. Marie O'Dowd, a café owner, expressed that Center Parcs has put Ballymahon on the map, making the town much more vibrant and buzzing. Brendan Flanagan, co-owner of Jolly Boys, a restaurant and takeaway, stated that Center Parcs has had a significant impact on their business, with many customers coming from the resort.

Ethical Tours, a business set up by Brendan, also benefits from the resort's presence, offering bike and e-bike rentals and guided tours. John and Anne-Marie Fitzgerald, who run a bicycle hire business called Ballymahon Greenway Cycles, have seen their sales soar due to the increased footfall from Center Parcs visitors. The town has also seen improvements in infrastructure, with the renovation of the Royal Canal Greenway and the reinstatement of the White Bridge over the River Inny, both of which are attributed to the resort's impact.

Overall, Ballymahon has experienced a thriving transformation since the opening of Center Parcs, with many local businesses benefiting from the increased tourism and investment.