Roald Dahl’s best selling book “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a wonderful read, but JERPOINT PARK has it’s own clever Mr. Fox, as the goose numbers have dropped from 32 to 12. A “Raven” took part in the action first when the goslings were 3 – 4 weeks old ( I at one stage even got the blame……. imagine me), but when I was in my kennel the act took place again and I was reprieved. They were purchased in April 2011 and doubled their weight every week when young goslings…….. cute and fluffy they might have been – but I Percy thought they looked a bit gangly. They grew into good looking geese & Mr. Fox has shown alot of interest in them since….. hence the decline in numbers. The remaining geese are great lawnmowers constantly grazing the lawns from the dawn to dusk & sit at the entrance gates when chilling out.
I missed my usual walk with Maeve on Monday (we usually go for a brisk walk …. just the two of us) as she attended a Failte Ireland seminar in Kilkenny. Chairman Redmond O’ Donoghue and CEO Shaun Quinn and many more officials were on hand to convey the news ……..
For the first time in three years, the Irish tourism industry is optimistic about its prospects for the year ahead. However, despite an increase in overseas visitors in 2011, Fáilte Ireland today cautioned against any complacency at its annual End of Year Review and stressed that consumer confidence remains fragile and improving value for money will continue to be central to regaining our share of key markets.
Fáilte Ireland Chairman, Redmond O’Donoghue said –
Although 2011 was an encouraging year in some respects, there is no room for complacency. Tourism has worked hard to regain its competitiveness. This is always a difficult and painful task and it will be necessary to continue this process in 2012 and beyond. We in Fáilte Ireland will be doing all we can to support tourism businesses to regain market share and sustain employment.