Fáilte Ireland highlights major funding for midlands tourism

“Serious money” is being made available for tourism projects in the midlands in what has been described as probably the broadest scheme Fáilte Ireland has ever run, and €38m is available to be awarded as soon as possible to deserving businesses and community enterprises.

Paddy Mathews of Fáilte Ireland says the money has to be spent by 2026, so they are looking for “low hanging fruit”, projects that are ready to go.

Mr Mathews told a meeting of Westmeath County Council recently that the money is intended to help develop tourism in areas affected by the closure of Bord na Mona bogs. A total of €68m has been advanced to Fáilte Ireland for the purpose, €30m of which will go directly to Bord na Mona for the development a trail network through cutaway bogs, using the existing railways for conversion into greenways, and anchoring them to existing towns and villages where the tourism regeneration can happen.

There will be €25m rolled out in August for tourism businesses and community enterprises to avail of funding of up to €2 million. Fáilte Ireland hope to be able to award any grants of €10,000 or under at a rate of 100%. They will also be looking at projects that can be delivered through the local authorities.

There is €3m available for low carbon accommodation – glamping sites mainly. The maximum grant is €275,000, and it is hoped it will facilitate a number of glamping type projects or the adaptation of heritage building for use as tourism accommodation.

There is another €10m for a range of smart solution developments which will allow for the appointment of a tourism activator in each county. The activator will work with communities and businesses to get good quality projects into the scheme and once they are funded, to work with them to create strong networks and clusters of tourism businesses. The activator will be appointed by the end of the year to encourage cross promotion and cross selling within the tourism industry.

Mr Mathews said they will be receiving applications for the next 18 months. They will be encouraging applicants to take their time with their applications. “We have made the mistake in the past of having deadlines that are too tight and we get hurried, poor applications,” Mr Mathews said.