€1.5m funding boost for Offaly tourism
A whopping €1.5m funding boost has been announced today for four Offaly tourism projects.
The funding was awarded under Fáilte Ireland's Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, with a total of €1,517,476 announced for four projects in the county. Waterways Ireland, the Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group, Sloe Blossom Farm Limited and Croghan Glamping are to benefit from the funding.
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.
The largest single sum - €616,700 was awarded to Shannon Bank Park Community Group for the rejuvenation of the Banagher Open Water Pool to offer an improved visitor experience, ensuring it is safe and accessible for all users. The funding was awarded under a category aimed at the development and enhancement of sustainable visitor experiences.
Waterways Ireland was awarded €520,000 under the Local Authority and State Agency scheme. The funding is earmarked for increasing the mooring capacity at Shannon Harbour with a fixed jetty to facilitate more visitors and enhance the visitor experience. The funding will cover construction and related costs.
Sloe Blossom Farm Ltd was awarded €300,000 for the development of three two-bedroom cabins. Croghan Hill Glamping was awarded €80,776 for the delivery of four self-catering, eco-friendly furnished glamping pods.
Both of these businesses received their funding for the development of sustainable tourist accommodation.The 15 projects awarded funding today include two projects under the Local Authority and State Agency scheme and 13 under the private and community SME scheme. Fáilte Ireland states that further funding to SMEs under these scheme will be announced over the coming weeks as evaluations of remaining applications are completed.
Welcoming today's announcement, Fine Gael TD John Clendennen said: “Funding of this nature is transformative for the projects involved and is no less than Offaly deserves.”
“Just this week in the Dáil, I advocated for further Community Benefit Funding Schemes and highlighted the nearly 700 job losses suffered in the county due to the energy transition, which is the highest in Ireland. An investment of this nature is very welcome and such funding schemes must continue to support Offaly,” said Deputy Clendennen.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank Minister Peter Burke for his support with this significant funding allocation for Offaly, and congratulate those projects that have received funding. I look forward to seeing them proceed towards development.”
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke: "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.”
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.”
A/Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said: "This is an exciting announcement today. 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."