Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, has officially opened Glendarragh Valley Inn in Ederney, County Fermanagh today.

The £722,000 tourism and community facility was developed by Ederney Community Development Limited, thanks to support from the Department for Social Development (DSD), International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and Fermanagh District Council.

It has six en-suite bedrooms and a licensed restaurant on the site of a former derelict garage on the edge of the village Main Street. The venture has created 17 full and part time jobs for the area. Funding from DSD and IFI totalled £532,000.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister Ritchie said: "Glendarragh Valley Inn is both a welcoming resource for tourists and an important new addition for the everyday life of the community. The facility has created jobs and is attracting visitors to the area, with all the knock-on benefits that brings for other local businesses. It embodies all that my Department and its partners aimed to achieve by supporting the community to take control of its future."

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International Fund For Ireland Chairman, Denis Rooney also said: "We are delighted to have been able to assist with the development of this new business here in Ederney. In coming together, the community has created an attractive venue for locals and tourists alike. It has also made a real and meaningful move towards the localities economic regeneration by helping to promote the area as a tourism destination while creating employment for local people."

Fermanagh District Council Chairman, Councillor Alex Baird, said: "I would like to congratulate Ederney Community Development Ltd on the launch of Glendarragh Valley Inn and Licensed Restaurant. The group exhibited great foresight, commitment and determination in the development of the project, which has already had a very significant impact on the local economy.

"The creation of 17 jobs in the rural area such as Ederney is to be very much welcomed. The Council, in association with the European Regional Development Fund through the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme, is absolutely delighted to have funded this community project and wishes it continued success in the future."

(JM)