Tourists ‘unable to find’ Clonmel

Clonmel is being overlooked by tourists because of a lack of signage on national roads, a local councillor has claimed.

Clonmel Borough Council is seeking a meeting with the National Roads Authority following a motion proposed by Fianna Fáil Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, who said the town is like “the Secret Garden — an enchanting place if you can find it”.

“In recent years,” she said, “most of the national road signs have been changed but, unfortunately as I see it, this has been to the detriment of Clonmel as the name Clonmel has been removed from the new signage.”

She said that, leaving Waterford city, it’s necessary to follow the signs for Limerick to get towards Clonmel while, leaving Limerick, motorists have to follow the sign for Dublin. For persons who have exited the Cork bypass and are coming onto the bypass from Cashel, again there is no mention of Clonmel on this sign, she said.

Clonmel has a population of over 18,000, with significant industries, retail, a third-level college and numerous festivals, Ms Ambrose pointed out.

The town has much to offer. “But how can we expect tourists and people from outside of the town to find us when there is no signage for Clonmel?” !

A spokesman for the NRA said it was “happy” to deal with the council in Clonmel on the matter but couldn’t comment on the substance of Ms Ambrose’s complaint until the authority received the council’s letter.