Welcome for proposed €30m Offaly visitor attraction
Local Minister of State Pippa Hackett has welcomed news that a bog in Offaly has been chosen as the location for a proposed €30m visitor attraction.
The project brief for ‘Ireland's Climate House’, founded in EU LIFE IP Peatlands and People - a seven-year climate action project responding to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, has been published as part of a tender process to deliver an exciting project in the Midlands.
SEE OUR STORY ON THE PROJECT HERE
Welcoming the news that Offaly has been chosen as the Midlands location, and that the project has now gone to tender, Offaly Cabinet Minister Pippa Hackett said: “Ireland’s Climate House is a future-focused attraction providing an experience for the visitor in terms of knowledge, perspective and opportunities to address Ireland’s, and the planet’s, environmental needs. Our peatlands are a precious resource in terms of storing carbon, restoring biodiversity and supporting local communities in new jobs taking care of our environment.
“I am delighted that, after much consultation and planning, it is proposed that the project, subject to planning and funding, will be on Ballaghurt Bog.
“This is an exciting time for Offaly and the wider Midlands. The EU Just Transition fund will see €168million invested here over the coming years and this announcement is further proof of this region’s commitment to delivering a sustainable future, for the peatlands and the people.”
On the matter of timelines, Minister Hackett said “The design and delivery of the project has now gone out to tender for appointment by April and I understand that it is proposed that planning would be submitted by July 2024. The delivery of this project will mark a significant milestone in the Midlands’ transition from brown to green and this will no doubt be transformative for Co. Offaly.”
FULL DETAILS HERE