Major boost for Ireland and tourism with €73million investment in new world class visitor experience •
The large-scale tourism attractions awarded funding are in counties Cavan, Donegal, Dublin and Mayo
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The projects displayed the greatest potential to increase employment, drive visitors to the region and lengthen the tourism season beyond the summer
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Up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs are set to be created as a result of this investment, with over €290million generated from domestic and international visitors
• A major investment of €73million to develop four new world-class Irish tourist attractions has been announced by the Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland today. Fáilte Ireland is investing €44.3million of the total investment in what Minster Martin is describing as “the most significant investment in visitor attractions ever undertaken by Fáilte Ireland that will have far-reaching national and regional economic benefits.” Up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs are set to be created and sustained across the regional economy over the next 10 years as a result of this investment and itʼs expected over €290million will be generated from domestic and international visitors. Fáilte Irelandʼs economic analysis states every €1million spent by tourists helps to supports 27 jobs in the Irish tourism sector. Todayʼs announcement is the culmination of a highly competitive application process which began in 2019 and includes a total match funding of €29million from public and private project partners bringing the total investment to €73million. Under Fáilte Irelandʼs *Platforms for Growth Investment Grants Scheme for Immersive Heritage and Cultural Attractions the four new and strategically important large-scale visitor attractions will unlock regional dispersal of visitors and extend the tourism season in these regions beyond the traditional summer months. The successful projects will cater for all tastes. They range from a UNESCO Global Geopark in the border county of Cavan to a Fort perched on a hilltop in Donegal overlooking the Wild Atlantic Way; and from a state-of-the-art flight simulator in the centre of Dublin to the reimagining and rewilding of a vast estate in Mayo offering uplifting nature-based experiences on the West Coast.
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