14 December 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, along with Minister of State for Tourism, Michael Ring TD, have today announced over €1m in a further phase of funding for 13 capital projects in Ireland’s Ancient East.
This funding under the ‘New Ideas in Ancient Spaces’ Capital Grants Scheme follows a Fáilte Ireland call for applications from interested parties across the region. A further phase of funding in capital supports for the initiative is expected in 2016.
Launched last April, Ireland’s Ancient East is Fáilte Ireland’s latest tourism initiative and seeks to build on the wealth of historical and cultural assets in the east and south of Ireland.
Ireland’s Ancient East stretches from Carlingford to Youghal, Co Cork and is intended to match and complement the Wild Atlantic Way in terms of scale and ambition.
Commenting on this further phase of capital funding for the project, Minister Donohoe today said: ’I am delighted to announce a further round of funding for ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ and to ensure we maintain the momentum of this initiative and build on the impressive tourism assets we have in the east and south of the country. As this project evolves and grows, I am confident that it will be a perfect complement to the Wild Atlantic Way in the west and that it will generate significant additional visitors, revenue and tourism jobs in the east.’
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD said: ‘At the end of the day, beyond all the marketing and advertising, the test of a holiday destination is the experience on the ground. We know that there are great experiences to be had based on our heritage and past but that we can do more to bring these to life. These projects today will incrementally boost the appeal of Ireland’s Ancient East and will deliver memorable experiences to those who come to explore the region.’
The capital funding announced in today is being awarded to multiple projects, those in Cork are:
- Cobh Heritage Centre, Co Cork
€28,443 - The Clockgate Tower Youghal, Co Cork
€200,000 - The Steam Centre Visitor Experience, Lifetime Lab, Cork City
€59,685
Fáilte Ireland Director of Business Development, Paul Keeley, today emphasised: ‘We in Fáilte Ireland are working directly with businesses and communities on the ground to turn the promise of the ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ brand into a reality. By the end of the year, we will have helped to jump-start or augment projects within Ireland’s Ancient East and will have readied the region to deliver first class experiences to visitors during summer 2016.’
This funding comes as Fáilte Ireland prepares to install approximately 100 Ireland’s Ancient East orientation signs and 300 county boundary signs across the region in 2016. This new signage scheme will encourage visitors to explore Ireland’s Ancient East by making them aware of the wide range of things to see and across the area.
