Fáilte Ireland welcomes ‘major vote of confidence in tourism’ as Government announces RRDF projects

Fáilte Ireland welcomes ‘major vote of confidence in tourism’ as Government announces RRDF projects

Fáilte Ireland has today welcomed the announcement of Government funding for tourism projects by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring T.D. under his Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).


Four of the projects announced today have a strong focus on developing tourism and have been awarded a total allocation of €16.3million. Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Product Development Orla Carroll has described this funding as ‘a huge vote of confidence by the Government in tourism’s ability to drive economic growth in rural communities across Ireland.'

The National Tourism Development Authority partnered with Wexford County Council and Waterford City and County Council on two successful funding applications under the RRDF scheme. The New Ross Tourism Transformation in Co. Wexford and Ireland’s Global Garden at Mount Congreve Estate in Co. Waterford were awarded €5.5million and €3.7million respectively.

The project in New Ross will see the development of a new world-class visitor attraction telling the unique story of Norman Wexford through the Knight William Marshall.  It will also create a new and immersive visitor experience at Dunbrody Famine Ship while adding significant improvements to the town that will drive tourism. The project for New Ross is estimated by Fáilte Ireland to deliver €11.3m a year in revenue over a 10-year period, directly supporting 144 jobs for the local area.

The Mount Congreve Estate will be a step-change for Waterford as it aims to position the site as ‘one of the great gardens of the world’. Fáilte Ireland predicts it will deliver €23.6m in revenue over a decade for rural Waterford, supporting 64 jobs in the regional economy.

Speaking at the announcement in New Ross, Co. Wexford today, Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland said:

“The RRDF project proposals that Fáilte Ireland worked on in partnership with the local authorities in Wexford and Waterford will be truly transformative for tourism in this part of Ireland’s Ancient East. Both projects will deliver significant growth in visitor numbers, revenue and job creation in their local communities and we are delighted that they have been awarded major funding by the Government. The four projects announced today with a strong tourism focus have been awarded a total allocation of just over €16.3million. This reflects the ability of the sector, and the confidence the Government has in it, to drive rural development and regional growth. Fáilte Ireland will continue to work closely with the Department of Rural and Community Development to deliver quality visitor experiences across the regions.”

The tourism-related projects allocated funding today also include the development of a 46km stretch of the Barrow Blueway, located along the Grand Canal Barrow Line, as well as funding for the Clew Bay Greenway Project in Co. Mayo. The total cost of all four projects, including match funding, is €25.2million which marks a major investment for tourism.

The Government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a key component of Project Ireland 2040. A total funding amount of €62million was announced for 26 projects worth €95million through the RRDF today. For more information, visit the Department of Rural and Community Development website.

Jump to top

Keep up to date on tourism news

Stay informed of all industry news with our fortnightly newsletter.

Sign up for our e-newsletter