Capital grants up to €200k available for new and operating visitor attractions
Fáilte Ireland today launched the New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme to develop and improve visitor experiences along the Connemara Coast and in the Aran Islands.
Visitor experiences are key to unlocking growth, particularly in less visited areas. Fáilte Ireland has been working with key stakeholders and tourism businesses along the Wild Atlantic Way in Galway to create a long term development plan that identifies the stand-out features locally, providing tourism businesses with a framework to present experiences and stories in a way that tourists can easily understand.
Earlier this year, the plan for the Connemara Coast and Aran Islands was completed and now the New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme will provide capital grants up to €200k to fund projects in the area that will support the implementation of this plan, targeting both new and operating visitor attractions.
Fáilte Ireland’s Head of the Wild Atlantic Way, Miriam Kennedy, said:
“We are delighted to announce the New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme for the Connemara Coast and Aran Islands which will assist new and operating visitor attractions to develop the stand-out experiences identified in the long term development plan for the region. This funding will help local tourism businesses encourage visitors to engage with the true essence and story of the area and, crucially, drive visitor numbers to lesser known areas and attractions.”
Fáilte Ireland’s vision for the Wild Atlantic Way is to deliver sustainable growth to all areas of the West Coast which will deliver real benefits for local communities and businesses. Fáilte Ireland has also developed a long term development plan for Skellig Coast, Co. Kerry and is currently working with local stakeholders on plans in four other areas along the Wild Atlantic Way; the Burren, Co. Clare, Three Heads (Ballydehob to Kenmare), Co. Cork and Co. Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry and Malin Head, Co. Donegal, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Fáilte Ireland is now accepting applications from tourism businesses in the Connemara Coast and Aran Islands area who wish to apply for funding as part of the New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 Grants Scheme. Two workshops will be held in Galway on the 21st May for those who wish to apply, details below.
To find out more about the application process and whether your business is eligible to apply for funding, please see here.
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