Funding for four key projects from Fáilte Ireland’s New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme were announced today by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin.
Minister Griffin outlined details of €651,437 in funding to develop and improve visitor experiences along the Skellig Coast in Co. Kerry.
The four projects along the Wild Atlantic Way to receive funding are:
• The Transatlantic Cable Story, Valentia Island - €161,437
• Leading Lights at Cromwell Point, Valentia Island - €90,000
• Portmagee Whiskey Experience and Seine Boat Experience - €200,000
• Daniel O’Connell at the Old Barracks Heritage Centre, Cahersiveen - €200,000
The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D., said:
“Today’s announcement is a welcome boost to the tourism industry in Kerry and along the Skellig Coast on the Wild Atlantic Way. The aim of Fáilte Ireland’s New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme is to drive visitor numbers to the regions and to lesser visited areas and attractions within them. As we know, tourism is a very competitive market and today’s significant grant funding announcement is aimed at ensuring that Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way continues to offer visitors world—class experiences and attractions boosting the region and increasing revenue and employment in the local tourism industry.”
Head of Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Miriam Kennedy said:
“Developing and unlocking the growth potential of visitor attractions is one of the main aims of ‘Fáilte Ireland’s New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme’. Fáilte Ireland will continue to invest in projects that ensure that we have the top class tourism infrastructure, which attract and encourage visitors to stay for longer and that create sustainable employment opportunities along the Wild Atlantic Way.”
Two projects on Valentia Island, the Transatlantic Cable Story and the Leading Lights at Cromwell Point received funding of €251,437 in total. Vincent Kidd of the Valentia Island Development Committee in welcoming the funding said:
“The announcement of just over €251,000 in grant funding for our two key projects is a fantastic day for the people and community of Valentia Island. The funding will greatly enhance the work of VIDC (a non-profit organization with charitable status). It is just four year since we first opened the lighthouse to the public and this year 15k people visited the facility. The grant of €90K will enable us to enhance the customer experience and to grow the visitor numbers and create jobs. The €161,437 for the Cable Station sets us up well in developing this facility with the ultimate goal of UNESCO recognition and help to create a facility that will ultimately aim to attract well in excess of 30k people per year and in turn create sustainable jobs all year around.”
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