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Fáilte Ireland Welcomes Government Funding for Projects under Rural Regeneration & Development Fund

Fáilte Ireland Welcomes Government Funding for Projects under Rural Regeneration & Development Fund

14 February 2019

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Fáilte Ireland has today welcomed the announcement of Government funding for tourism projects by the Minister for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring, TD under his Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The National Tourism Development Authority said that today’s announcement is recognition of the importance and value of tourism to rural regeneration and development.

Speaking at the announcement in Castleblaney, Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland said:

“We are delighted that such a significant number of tourism related projects have been successful in their funding applications. Of the 66 projects announced today, 25 are tourism related supported by an allocation of just over €37.5 million.  This funding will greatly enhance attractions throughout rural Ireland which will boost visitor numbers to the regions and support local job creation in the tourism sector. The funding is a huge vote of confidence by the Government in tourism and reinforces the integral role that tourism plays in the national economy. As the funding allocation accounts for 75% of the total project costs, a further 25% or over €9 million may also be leveraged by the projects for tourism investment.”

“As the National Tourism Development Authority, it is one of Fáilte Ireland’s strategic objectives to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are spread regionally across the country.  We will continue to work closely with the Department of Rural and Community Development to deliver quality visitor experiences nationwide to ensure vibrant local communities economically and socially.”

 
Tourism Related Projects funded today (Category 1) include:

Project Title Location County Lead Applicant Description RRDF Funding
International Mountain Biking Project Ballyhoura, Coolaney, Ticknock, Ballinastoe, Slieve Blooms Limerick,
Cork,
Sligo,
Dublin,
Wicklow,
Offaly,
Laois		 Coillte This flagship national project will develop international standard Mountain Biking Trails which will provide recreational, health and tourism benefits. The locations include: Slieve Bloom (Offaly & Laois); Collaney (Sligo); Ballyhoura (Limerick & Cork); Ticknock/Ballinastoe (Wicklow & Dublin) €10,262,900
National Parks National Parks (multiple) Clare;
Donegal;
Galway;
Kerry;
Mayo;
Wicklow		 Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht This is a flagship national project which will provide a major upgrade of National Parks and Reserves in a number of locations. It will aid the implementation of the Tourism Interpretative Master Plan for Ireland’s National Parks and Nature Reserves. Works will include creating new Park trails, upgrading of access facilities and car parks, restoration of greenhouses in Killarney National Park, new signage and visual imagery, and the use of hybrid buses in selected National Parks to assist in lowering the carbon footprint of visitor activities. €3,915,000
Historic Granard Motte Project Granard Longford Longford County Council This project will develop a major tourism and amenity attraction at the site of Granard Motte, a national monument on the outskirts of Granard, Co. Longford. The project will develop a heritage park on 15 acres of land and will recreate a living Norman Village and children’s amenities.
 		 €2,872,434
Ardee Castle Ardee Castle Louth Louth County Council This is a significant historical tourism project linked to the heritage-led regeneration of Ardee, which will also contribute to the further development of Louth as a tourist destination. Ardee Castle (also known as St. Leger’s Castle), built circa 15th century, is the largest fortified medieval tower house in Ireland.
 		 €2,147,000
Thomastown Regeneration Thomastown Kilkenny Kilkenny County Council This is a significant Town Regeneration project for Thomastown, and includes: Community Centre Re-development – converting a former sports hall into a public library and digital enterprise hub; Public realm works in Lowe and Logan Streets; Renovation of the former court house into a Craft and Design Centre, in conjunction with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland; Upgrade of the existing Quayside Carpark to improve access. €2,080,486
Vandeleur Estate Kilrush Clare Clare County Council This project will restore part of the historic Vandeleur Estate, which has been in existence since 1808. The project will respect the existing facilities and buildings within the surrounding area and will include a new museum; and development of arts and crafts facilities to promote local heritage.
 		 €1,720,000
Boyle Regeneration Boyle Town Roscommon Roscommon County Council This significant town regeneration project will undertake a series of linked projects, including the refurbishment and conversion of the old Royal Hotel into an Enterprise Centre, exhibition space, information point and coffee dock and the creation of a new riverside promenade, which will link the town centre to key tourism attractions using the river, e.g. King House, Boyle Abbey. €1,705,705
Loop Head Visitor Attraction Loop Head Clare Clare County Council This is a significant tourism project which will refurbish and expand the facilities at the historic Loop Head visitor lighthouse attraction with a view to enhancing the capacity and attractiveness of the lighthouse.  The project will assist in the enhancement of the existing tourism offering in the area, delivering benefits to the wider community through increased activity. €868,500
Johnstown Castle & Gardens Johnstown Castle Wexford TEAGASC This project will complete a major upgrade of the Johnstown Castle Gardens and the Irish Agricultural Museum. It will restore the walled gardens, glasshouses and other structures, which will then be used as a horticultural training centre. This location already attracts over 50,000 visitors a year, and this project will further enhance this location as a tourist attraction, adding to the tourism opportunities in the region.
 		 €658,696

 
TABLE 2: List of successful Category 2 Projects

Project Description Location County Lead Applicant Description Total RRDF Funding Sought
Altmont House and Gardens Ballon Carlow OPW Will develop a scheme to refurbish Altmont House and Gardens. €450,000
Inis Cealtra Island Inis Cealtra Clare Clare County Council Will develop a detailed design for a visitor centre, a design for a new boat landing point including visitor trails and the production of an interpretation strategy for the island. €920,500
Doolin Pier Doolin Clare Clare County Council Will develop a masterplan to develop a new visitor and tourist Centre at Doolin pier. €465,571
Wild Atlantic Way Multiple Clare / Kerry Fáilte Ireland Will develop a plan to solve critical congestion and visitor management issues along the Wild Atlantic Way at 15 key locations within the counties of Clare and Kerry. €666,300
Anne’s Grove Anne’s Grove Cork OPW Will complete a development plan for the House and Gardens together with funding that will progress several elements of the plan to planning permission and statutory consents stage. €375,000
Ireland’s National Parks Multiple Locations Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht - NPWS Will implement the recommendations of the Tourism Interpretative Masterplan for Ireland’s National Parks and Coole Park to deliver a social and economic benefit through employment and revenue generation to a large number of rural towns and villages around the country. €1,466,250
Kinvara Boardwalk and Walkway Kinvara Galway Galway County Council Will develop detailed designs and bring to planning stage a boardwalk and walkway and provide safe pedestrian access from the village to this national heritage site and onto the tendered upgrade works on the N67. €124,781
Dingle Workhouse Masterplan Dingle Workhouse Kerry Údarás na Gaeltachta Will develop a masterplan for the redevelopment of the former Dingle Work House, a historic property which is currently disused. €415,000
West Limerick Tourism Gateway Newcastle West Limerick Limerick City and County Council This proposal, entitled the West Limerick Tourism Gateway consists of the preparation of a comprehensive tourism plan for Newcastle West town centre. €330,000
Cycle Network Multi Location Mayo Mayo County Council Will progress and develop plans for a cycle network in County Mayo which extends from Leenaun in County Galway to the Sligo county boundary. €75,000
Tourism Experiences Westport and Cong Mayo Mayo County Council Will develop a plan for a number of standalone tourism experiences between Mayo’s principal existing tourism destinations. €56,000
Geopark Development Multi Location Mayo, Galway Geological Survey Ireland Will develop a Geopark in the Joyce Country and Western Lakes area of Galway and Mayo and prepare an application for full UNESCO Global Geopark status for the area.  €969,387
Boyne Navigation and Greenway Drogheda and Navan Meath Meath County Council Technical assistance to address cumulative environmental impacts for restoring the Navigation and Greenway between Drogheda and Navan. €845,250
Trim Castle Trim Meath Meath County Council Will undertake all necessary project development to transform Trim Market House to a visitor centre for Trim Castle. €262,500
The Cliff Bath House Enniscrone Sligo Sligo County Council Will develop a plan for the redevelopment of Enniscrone’s most iconic building, the Cliff Bath House. €131,250
Ferrycarraig and the Hook Peninsuala Ferrycarraig and the Hook Peninsuala Wexford Wexford County Council A cluster of linked projects of significance at 3 distinct locations throughout the county that will be developed, delivered, promoted and marketed in a co-ordinated way to meet the requirements of the international visitor. €1,087,270

 

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