Tapping the Well of Collective Imagination

LocationIreland

Year2024

StatusComplete

A collaborative vision

During 2023, the Lisdoonvarna community came together with the support of a project team including architect Shelley McNamara, a native of Lisdoonvarna, Fionn Kidney of local social enterprise Common Knowledge, and ACT working in consultation with Lisdoonvarna Failte CLG, to express a future vision for the town rooted in its heritage of wellbeing.

As the culmination of a process involving more than 150 people from the community, rather than a plan, the Tapping the Well vision offers an expression of the community’s most widely shared ambitions, and greatest accompanying wishes, to help guide Lisdoonvarna to a thriving, sustainable and inclusive future.

Foundation and regeneration

Lisdoonvarna owes its origins to its life-giving waters and the wellness industry they spurred. The town originally developed and flourished in the mid-19th century as a retreat destination. Recently, despite declining visitors and being bypassed by the Wild Atlantic Way, new efforts are underway to reverse this trend.

Lisdoonvarna early 1800s

First Wells DiscoveryIn early 1800s The Lisdoonvarna springs gain fame for their beneficial qualities

First hotelRoyal Spa Hotel opened, built by John Reidy in 1832

Lisdoonvarna 1850s-1880The town's first development occurred in the mid-19th century

New spas were deiscoveredGowlaun spring in 1852 and the Twin Wells in 1856

Lisdoonvarna early developmentIn the second half of the 19th century Lisdoonvarna began to be established

First Pump Room and Bath HouseIn 1867, the first well being centre was realised.

Lisdoonvarna old cardVisitor number rose from 5,000 in 1878 to 20,000 in 1895

Lisdoonvarna Spa WellThe Trust built the new Bath House 1915 - 1928

Present Day

Bath House & Pump House closedIn 2006, the Spa House closed due to the lack of activities and tourists

The Wild Atlantic WayLisdoonvarna is not included in the Wild Atlantic Way, which is the main tourist route in Ireland

A Community Imagining

Throughout two community engagement workshops and a vision launch and discussion, the vision 2050 Vision for Lisdoonvarna was developed. Stakeholders from throughout the community were invited to participate with radio, newspaper social media and local networks were used to promote the events.

Group work

Stakeholders worked in groups and through various exercises established challenges and opportunities as well as proposals for the future of the town.

Layering the map

A map was used as the device through which ideas were communicated and recorded with new layers being added at each engagement to build an ever richer image of the future vision. The final map is the result of this engagement process where the community actively participate in the design for the community's future.

Shared ambitions to tap the well

During the first workshop, the participants were able to share ideas, thoughts and opinions on various topics regarding Lisdoonvarna. This was the point of start to image Lisdoonvarna 2050.

Visualising Futures

Through the participation of young and old, new and established community members, it became clear that the wells of community, nature and culture also run deep in this town and offer a vast source of personal, social, environmental and economic wellbeing. These ambitions have been visualized to show the thriving sustainable future that is possible.

Re-establish the spa as a social magnet

The once thriving Victorian Spa built on the flow of rich sulphur, magnesia and iron wells is the origin of the town and wellbeing industry. The community’s greatest ambition is that the Spa is regenerated to once again become a resource for locals and visitors alike and a gateway to a newly accessible commonage.

Enrich the town square

The large town square offers great potential as a place to meet, to relax, to dance and to welcome.

Offer a home for new creative energy

Lisdoonvarna has a deep heritage in creativity and entrepreneurship. Build on the development of the artists' studios to encourage other creative industries, activities and events.

Preserve and expand wildness

50 acres of commonage can become a gateway to the unique flora and fauna of the Burren and a showcase for sustainable land use.

Bring well-being to the centre of the townNatural and heritage sites, including the spa, commonage and pavilion park should be connected and reinforced, extending through the town.

Enhance access and walkabilityTo improve the town's well-being, implement transport and mobility initiatives that enhance public space and active travel.

Preserve and expand wildernessWe are fortunate to hold 50 acres of commonage as a community and want to use it as a gateway to the unique flora and fauna of the Burren, and a showcase for sustainable land use.

Re-establish Lisdoonvarna as a hub for North ClareLisdoonvarna can be a hub for local region, offering service for people of North Clare and visitors alike.

The Final Vision Launch

The vision process was concluded with the production of a large 8 X A0 map that included the communities' key wishes for the future. This was shown at an event where a vision document describing nine shared ambitions was launched. This will now form the blueprint for funding and projects for Lisdoonvarna into the future.