The officially opening of the €1.2 million Patrick Kavanagh Visitor Experience was described as a fantastic day for Inniskeen and south Monaghan.
The state of the art cultural space, housed in what was once St Mary's church, is expected to welcome up to 10,000 visitors a year by 2026.
Local Minister Heather Humphreys and Arts and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin also launched the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Jukebox by the River Fane.
Kavanagh was born in Inniskeen and wrote poems and accounts about everyday life in in Ireland, some of which can be heard on the poetry jukebox.
Monaghan native Minister Catherine Martin spoke to our reporter Diarmuid Pepper at the launch and said it was great to be back at home on such a great occasion (Click on the above image to play this audio):
Our reporter also spoke to local Minister Heather Humphreys, who in addition to welcoming the launch of the visitor centre, spoke about cost of living concerns and fears that the Ulster Final could be moved away from Clones and to a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast.
PJ O'Hanlon is the Cathaoirleach of the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney MD.
While he acknowledged that Inniskeen will never be Killarney, he told Northern Sound that investment like this will see a surge in tourism to the area:
Meanwhile, Aidan Campbell is the Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council. He said it was great to see Fáilte Ireland getting fully on-board with initiatives like this:
