Further 15 projects awarded over €4.2 million under the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme

Further 15 projects awarded over €4.2 million under the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme

Further 15 tourism projects awarded over €4.2 million under Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 

  • A further 15 projects announced have received over €4.2 million in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme
  • Evaluations of remaining applications for private and community SME scheme are ongoing with further funding awards to be announced over the coming weeks.

Today Fáilte Ireland has announced that a further 15 projects, worth over €4.2 million, have been awarded funding under its Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.

Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, this marks the second announcement of successful projects under both the Private and Community SME scheme, and the Local Authority and State Agency scheme.
 
13 of these projects [listed below] represent the latest private and community SMEs to have signed Investment Grant Agreements with Fáilte Ireland, receiving over €2.6 million in grant-aid to deliver projects across four regenerative tourism development categories. Further projects are expected to be announced under this scheme in the coming weeks, as evaluations of applications are completed.
 
Over €1.5 million in funding has been awarded to two projects under the Local Authority and State Agency scheme [listed below], which aims to deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences, including those that can be leveraged by the private and community sectors.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke T.D. said: 
"I am pleased to see today's announcement of further investment in projects by Government through Fáilte Ireland and the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. The EU Just Transition Fund scheme is supporting sustainable economic development and job creation in communities and businesses across the Midlands. I look forward to seeing these projects develop over the next year and to announce further successful projects for the Midlands over the coming weeks and months under this funding scheme”.

Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien T.D. said: 
“I welcome the latest announcement by Fáilte Ireland of investments in projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. These projects, which will deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences, will play a key role in the regenerative tourism development journey in the Midlands. I look forward to the delivery of the projects and to witnessing their positive impact across the Midlands region.”

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said: 
“It’s fantastic to see even more tourism businesses and communities benefit from this transformative Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. The 15 projects announced today highlight the significant opportunities that initiatives like the EU Just Transition Fund can bring to the midlands. 
This investment of over €4.2million will help sustain local communities by creating new opportunities for employment, empowering local businesses, and providing more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East. 
We look forward to further collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and our strategic partners to deliver this wide range of projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.”

A/Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said:
"This is an exciting announcement today that an additional 15 tourism projects are receiving funding from the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. EMRA is delighted to be working with Fáilte Ireland in administering this EU Just Transition funded scheme to bring direct support from the EU to the local level. These projects join an ever-expanding list of fantastic EU Just Transition Fund supported initiatives from local groups and businesses across the Midlands that are enabling growth and diversification of opportunities in the region."
 

PROJECT DETAILS: INVESTMENT GRANT AID SCHEME FOR PRIVATE AND COMMUNITY SMES

Projects span four regenerative tourism development categories, including the Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences; Development of Sustainable/Low Carbon Tourist Accommodation; Capital Project Planning and Design; and Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience.

Descriptions of all categories available here.

 

Location  

Grantee Name

Project Description / Category 

Funding Amount 

Longford 

Ballymahon Cycles 

Category 1 
Expansion of bicycle stock and variety of bicycle types to provide a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all visitors. 

€64,878.00 
 

Roscommon 

Baysports 
 

Category 1 
Enhanced visitor experience and accessibility through expansion of kayaks, and introduction of e-bikes and e-pedal boats. 

€192,160.00 

Galway 

Galway Teleworking Co-Op Society Ltd 

Category 1 
Upgrade of bathroom facilities, in Galway’s Living Bog Interpretive Centre, to include accessible options and improve functionality. 

€ 29,056.00 
 

Laois 

Glamping Under the Stars Ltd 

Category 2 
Development of three self-catering accommodation units including tree houses and eco-lodge. 

€ 300,000.00 
 

Kildare 

Cycling Trails and Tours in Irelands Midlands  

Category 1 
Enhanced visitor experience with cycling and walking tours in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly, complete with bicycles and equipment. 

€43,000.00 
 

Kildare 

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park Ltd  

Category 1 
Addition of an electric train along with 2 enclosed passenger carriages to facilitate guided tours. 

€300,000.00 
 

Galway/Offaly 

Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group 
 

Category 1  
Rejuvenation of Banagher Open Water Pool to offer an improved visitor experience, ensuring it is safe and accessible for all users. 

€616,700.00 
 

Offaly

Croghan Hill Glamping 

Category 2 
Delivery of 4 self-catering, eco-friendly furnished glamping pods.  

€80,776 
 

Longford 

Firecracker Sauna Limited 

Category 1 
Development of wood-fired sauna on the banks of Lough Leebeen, Aughnacliff.  

€19,331 
 

Westmeath 

Viking Tours Ireland 
 

Category 3 & 5 
Extension of the vessel's length, installation of bike rack and marine waste holding tank.  

€297,600 
 

Longford 

Killashee Eco Lodge Limited 

Category 2 
Development of self-catering accommodation and the installation of a thermal suite containing Irish peat baths, sauna and plunge pool, and a recreation area. 

€210,000 

Laois 

The Forum Mountmellick  
 

Category 2 
Renovation of a coach house to create universally accessible accommodation.  

€220,000 

Offaly 

Sloe Blossom Farm Limited  
 

Category 2 
Development of three two-bedroom cabins.  

€300,000 

 

PROJECT DETAILS: INVESTMENT GRANT AID SCHEME FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND STATE AGENCIES 

The projects focus on the areas of Visitor Experience Improvement, Digital Transformation, Digital User Experience, Accessibility and Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism. 

Location  

Grantee Name

Project Description / Category 

Funding Amount

Roscommon 

Roscommon County Council 

Category 2 
Planning and design of a large-scale multifaceted project on the Hodson Bay waterfront area.  

€1,067,722 

Offaly 

Waterways Ireland 

Category 3 
Increase the mooring capacity at Shannon Harbour with fixed jetty to facilitate more visitors and enhance visitor experience. 

€520,000 

 

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