Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD, Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland and kayaker Jenny Kilbride
Minister Martin and Fáilte Ireland announce €19 million investment to develop state-of-the-art facilities for outdoor water-based activities.
22 locations nationwide will be developed
The significant increase in people enjoying outdoor water-based activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and open water swimming is expected to continue to grow year on year, and not just during the summer months. This means all-weather changing facilities, secure storage and bathrooms at beaches and inland water spots will be in huge demand.
To meet this demand Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland are today announcing a major new investment worth €19million. The funding will be used to build world-class facility centres at 22 locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction.
Each centre will provide hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building Standards’*.
This investment scheme, developed in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities, will support the local economy and the outdoor activity sector by significantly enhancing the overall visitor experience, providing new business opportunities in local communities and allowing for the extension of the tourism season beyond the traditional summer months.
A second phase is expected to commence in 2023 under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth capital investment programme.
Officially launching the €19million investment, Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin T.D. today said:
“Ireland is world-class when it comes to providing water-based activities which are enjoyed by local communities and visitors along our stunning coastline, rivers and lakes. We’ve seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID19 so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.
The scale of the investment I am announcing today with Fáilte Ireland will have a key role in Ireland’s recovery. It will support the local economy and the outdoor water-based activity sector by significantly improving the overall visitor experience, providing new business and job opportunities in local communities, particularly in rural areas and allowing for an extension of the traditional tourism season beyond the summer months. It is also important to note that the facility centres will be sustainable, accessible and integrate into the natural environment of their locations.”
Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland said:
“Our temperate climate can offer year-round quality outdoor experiences. In order for Ireland to be recognised internationally as a best-in-class activity destination it is critical that we invest in building a sustainable activity infrastructure, compelling visitor experiences and developing the capacity of activity providers.
This investment scheme will not only strengthen our appeal as a country with strong outdoor water-based activities and facilities, it will also create new opportunities for activity operators that will benefit local jobs and businesses while helping to spread visitors across the regions. Today’s announcement outlines Phase 1 of this scheme, which has an expected completion date of Summer 2022 and we will look at a potential second phase in 2023.”
Moira Murrell, Chair of the CCMA Rural Development, Community, Tourism, Culture and Heritage (RCTCH) Committee stated:
“Local Authorities are looking forward to commencing development of the Platforms for Growth Facility Centres, which will boost the appeal of many rural locations around Ireland for water sports and water-based activities. Amenities like this are not only of benefit to visitors but also to the local community, and we look forward to creating further opportunities for participants and providers of water-based activities and further strengthening our nationwide appeal as a world class activity tourism destination.”
Locations for Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth Facilities Centres for Water Based Activities:
Dublin
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Docklands Water Sports, North Wall Quay, Pontoons, Dublin 1
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DLRCC Killiney Beach Facilities Project, Killiney Beach, Killiney, Co Dublin
Ireland’s Ancient East
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Claycastle Sports Activity Facility, Claycastle, Youghal, Co. Cork
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Kilkenny Water Sports Hub, County Hall, John St, Kilkenny
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Tramore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre, Promenade, Tramore, Co. Waterford
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Ardmore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre, Public Car Park, Cois Tra, Ardmore, Co Waterford
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Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre, Whitegap, Curracloe, Co. Wexford
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
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Ballycuggeran Sports Activity Facility, Ogonnelloe, Killaloe, Co. Clare.
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Acres Lake Activity Facility, Acres Lake, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim
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Dromineer Sports Activity Facility, Dromineer, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Wild Atlantic Way
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Kilkee Waterworld Activity Facilities, Waterworld, East End, Kilkee, Co. Clare
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GarryLucas Beach, Ballinspittle, Co Cork
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Tullan Strand Centre for Water Sports Activities Bundoran, Drumacrin, Tullan, Strand, Bundoran, Co Donegal
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Downings Water Sports Activity Facility, Cnoc Na Muirleog, Na Muirleog, Na Dunaibh, Co Donegal
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Corrib Sports & Adventure, Dyke Road, Terryland, Galway
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Ballybunion Beach Shared Facilities Centre, Men's (South) Beach, Ballybunion, Co Kerry
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Fenit Beach Shared Facility Centre, Fenit Beach, Fenit, Co. Kerry
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Magherabeg Shared Facilities Centre, Magherabeg Lower, Castlegregory, Co Kerry
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Keel Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities, Keel Sandybanks, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
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Carrowmore Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
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Enniscrone Beach, Mackduff, Enniscrone , Co Sligo
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Rosses Point, County Sligo
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